There is more to the inaugural Aloha Invitational than the use of the word “aloha” in the name of this week’s collegiate sand tournament at Queen’s Beach.

The event is meant to celebrate the rich history of the sport in Hawaii — the documented birthplace of beach volleyball —  as well as the island tradition of giving back.

“We didn’t name it what we did was just give it a Hawaiian name,” Laie-born tournament director Frank Tusieseina. said. “We want to share the aloha spirit through this event, from the actual tournament to the players doing a service project, having a youth clinic and proceeds of T-shirt sales going to ‘Feeding Hawaii Together.’

“Sand volleyball is the fastest growing sport at the collegiate level and the schools in our very first event will show fans watching in person and on TV across the country just how dynamic and exciting the sport is.”

The field includes No. 2 Hawaii, No. 6 Long Beach State, No. 8 UCLA and Saint Mary’s, all four of which were ranked in the AVCA preseason poll when they were selected. The two-day event at Queen’s Beach has a pairs component on Friday and team duals on Saturday.

Hawaii will only participate on Saturday due to the limit on regular-season competition dates (16). Both the SandBows and the 49ers will be competing in next week’s AVCA Collegiate Sand Championships at Gulf Shores, Ala., and open up against each other next Friday in team bracket play.

CBS Sports is taping the Aloha Invitational for a delayed telecast on May 16. Olympic beach volleyball medalists Dain Blanton (gold 2000) and Mike Dodd (silver 1996) are the broadcasters.

“When I first heard that sand volleyball was going to become a collegiate sport, I thought what a wonderful opportunity it will be for young women,” said Dodd, whose daughter, Dalas, is a junior on the Saint Mary’s team. “It seems that indoor volleyball has gotten so specialized but on the beach you have to use all-around skills.

“As for coming to Hawaii, it goes without saying that Hawaii has always been the epicenter of volleyball. The Wahine have been the standard that other programs have aspired to get to. I played here on the AVP Tour, had a chance to enjoy the courts at the Outrigger (Canoe Club). Having this here will be a wonderful showcase.”

Tusieseina said the tournament has a two-year deal with CBS Sports with an option for a third. 

“We saw what the Maui Invitational does for men’s collegiate basketball and SSwe said, ‘Let’s do the same thing for sand volleyball,’” Tusieseina said. “Beach volleyball is the third-most watched sport in the Olympics. It wasn’t a hard sell to CBS.

“Our plan is long-term. We hope to expand to eight teams next year and maybe ad a pro-am. We want to include foreign teams and make this a global event.”