Maui

Every first Friday of the month, something genuinely wonderful happens on Market Street in Wailuku. The road closes to traffic at 5:30 PM, the vendors set up their stalls, the live music starts at 6:00 PM, and the most authentic street party on Maui comes alive for three hours of local food, Hawaiian music, artisan shopping, and real community energy that no resort event on the island can replicate. Wailuku First Friday 2026 runs every first Friday of the month from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Market Street, Wailuku, Maui — and every single edition is completely free.

"Wailuku First Friday is a vibrant monthly celebration showcasing local culture through live music, food, arts, and community spirit in Maui's historic town."

The Story of Wailuku First Friday

Maui's Monthly Cultural Celebration

Wailuku First Friday is a free monthly street festival held on Market Street in the heart of historic Wailuku Town, Maui's county seat on the north coast of central Viti Levu. It has become one of the most consistently attended and genuinely local monthly events on the island.

The format is elegantly simple. Market Street closes to vehicles at 5:30 PM. Food vendors, local artisans, boutique businesses, and community organisations line both sides of the street. A live music stage anchors the block with two sets of Hawaiian and local artists from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. A second entertainment area at the Wailuku Garage runs DJ music alongside an additional cluster of vendors. The community shows up. Everyone is welcome.

Wailuku First Friday was built to support Wailuku's historic town centre and its local businesses — and after years of consistent monthly events, it has succeeded in turning Market Street into one of the most visited and most loved social spaces on Maui.

The 2026 Monthly Schedule

Mark Your Calendar for Every First Friday

Wailuku First Friday runs on the first Friday of every month throughout 2026 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Based on the confirmed 2026 calendar:

• January 2, 2026 — first WFF of the new year; community ring-in celebration
• February 6, 2026
• March 7, 2026 — "Spring Fling" theme; performers included 2025 Carmen Hulu Lindsey Leo Ha'iha'i Falsetto Champion Namaka Pauole and Joshua Kahula
• April 3, 2026 — "Hoppin'" evening on Market Street
• May 1, 2026 — Lei Day celebration; free lei-making, Ma'awe featuring Kalani Miles and Duane Feig (6:00 to 7:30 PM) and Kaina Kountry (7:45 to 9:00 PM) on the Market Street stage; DJ Z at Wailuku Garage
• June 6, 2026
• July 3, 2026 (subject to confirmation; July 2025 was cancelled for Independence Day holiday)
• August 7, 2026
• September 4, 2026
• October 2, 2026
• November 6, 2026
• December 4, 2026

Check wailukufirstfriday.com and the official Facebook page at facebook.com/WailukuFirstFriday for monthly theme announcements, performer lineups, and any schedule changes.

What Happens at Wailuku First Friday

From Live Music to Artisan Markets

Every monthly edition follows the same welcoming structure while rotating fresh themes, performers, and seasonal activities:

Live Music on Market Street Stage

• Two live sets every edition from 6:00 to 9:00 PM — the first from 6:00 to 7:30 PM and the second from 7:45 to 9:00 PM
• Performers are drawn from Maui's rich local Hawaiian music community — past 2026 performers have included hula champions, falsetto artists, and multi-generational Hawaiian musicians
• The March 2026 edition featured Namaka Pauole, the 2025 Carmen Hulu Lindsey Leo Ha'iha'i Falsetto Champion — a reflection of the calibre of artist the event attracts
• The May 2026 edition brought Kaina Kountry and Ma'awe featuring Kalani Miles and Duane Feig to the Market Street stage

Wailuku Garage Entertainment

• A DJ spins throughout the evening at the Wailuku Garage, 81 North Market Street — a second entertainment node that gives the event two distinct atmospheres simultaneously
• Additional vendors and artisan stalls cluster around the Garage space, extending the event footprint beyond the main Market Street corridor
• Special activity stations rotate by theme — the May 2026 Lei Day edition hosted free lei-making at the Wailuku Garage with provided materials and guidance

Local Vendors, Food, and Artisans

The vendor programme at Wailuku First Friday is the event's commercial heartbeat — and a genuine showcase of Maui's maker and food culture:

• Local food vendors and food trucks serving everything from traditional Hawaiian plate lunches and poke bowls to international street food and desserts
• Maui-made artisan goods including handcrafted jewellery, clothing, artwork, ceramics, and cultural items
• Local fashion designers and boutique clothing vendors — Wailuku First Friday has become one of the best places on Maui to find genuinely locally designed apparel
• Art and photography from Maui-based visual artists
• Community organisation booths from Maui nonprofits, cultural organisations, and civic groups

The guiding philosophy of the event is summarised in its recurring call to action: "Shop, eat, and think local"

Historic Wailuku Town: The Perfect Stage

The Authentic Heart of Maui

The setting of Wailuku First Friday is as important as the event itself. Wailuku is Maui's county seat — a town of genuine historical depth and architectural character that stands in complete contrast to the resort corridors of Kāʻanapali and Wailea.

Market Street is the spine of historic Wailuku — a compact, walkable block lined with buildings that date to the plantation era, interspersed with local restaurants, vintage shops, boutiques, galleries, and the kind of family-run businesses that give a town its soul.

The neighbourhood's landmarks include:

• Iao Valley State Park — the sacred valley and needle formation that served as the site of one of the most significant battles in Hawaiian history, approximately 10 minutes from Market Street
• Wailuku Hongwanji Mission on Vineyard Street — one of the host temples for the Maui Obon Bon Dance season, two blocks from Market Street
• Maui Tropical Plantation — 15 minutes south toward Waikapu, a working agricultural attraction with tram tours through tropical fruit and flower fields
• Wailuku Municipal Parking Garage — the primary free parking facility for the event, accessible via Church Street between Vineyard and Main

A Themed Event Every Month

Fresh Themes Keep It Exciting

One of the things that keeps Wailuku First Friday feeling fresh every month is the rotating theme programme. Each edition gets a distinct identity that shapes the activities, decor, and sometimes the vendor mix:

• January 2026: New Year ring-in celebration
• March 2026: "Spring Fling"
• April 2026: "Hoppin'" (spring/Easter theme)
• May 2026: Lei Day — free lei-making, Hawaiian floral culture, community gifting of lei

Upcoming 2026 themes have not yet been announced for June through December. Check wailukufirstfriday.com/updates for the monthly theme reveal typically posted 2 to 3 weeks before each first Friday.

Supporters Behind Wailuku First Friday

The Backbone of the Event

The event's consistent quality and community reach is backed by a group of supporters that reflects Maui's cultural and civic infrastructure:

• County of Maui — government backing that anchors the event's civic credibility
• Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority — state-level tourism support
• Kilohana by the Hawaiian Council (CNHA) — Native Hawaiian civic organisation support
• KPOA 93.5 FM — Maui's Hawaiian music radio station; event media partner
• Contact organiser: Daryl Fujiwara, daryl@wailukufirstfriday.com, 808-264-8779

Practical Information for Visitors

Getting to Market Street, Wailuku

• From Kahului Airport (OGG): Approximately 10 to 15 minutes by car or taxi via Kahului Beach Road and into Wailuku town — one of the most accessible event venues on Maui
• From Kāʻanapali Beach: Approximately 40 minutes east via the Honoapiʻilani Highway
• From Wailea: Approximately 35 to 40 minutes north via the Piilani Highway and into Wailuku

Parking

• Wailuku Municipal Parking Garage — free parking after 6:00 PM, accessible via Church Street between Vineyard and Main
• Market Street closes to vehicle traffic at 5:30 PM — arrive and park before 5:30 PM if driving directly to Market Street, or use the Municipal Garage via Church Street
• Vehicles remaining on Market Street after the 5:30 PM closure will be ticketed and towed at the owner's expense

Tips for the Best Experience

Make the Most of Your Visit

• Arrive at 5:30 PM as vendors set up and the street closes — gives you time to browse the full vendor lineup before the 6:00 PM music start
• Bring cash — many artisan vendors and food stalls prefer or require cash; the Municipal Parking Garage ATM is nearby
• Family-friendly throughout — the event is explicitly designed for all ages; children are welcomed and the outdoor street setting is ideal for families
• Wear comfortable walking shoes — Market Street is flat and walkable but you will be on your feet for most of the 3-hour programme
• Check the monthly theme in advance at wailukufirstfriday.com — themed editions often include special activities or giveaways tied to the month's concept
• Combine with a Wailuku dinner reservation — several of Wailuku's best local restaurants are on or immediately adjacent to Market Street; book a table for before or after the event

The Bigger Picture: Wailuku in Maui's Cultural Calendar

Connecting the Dots of Maui's Events

Attending Wailuku First Friday connects naturally with the broader arc of Maui's annual cultural events. The first Friday of August falls on August 7, 2026 — just two weeks before the Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival (August 22) and the 28th Annual Maui Calls Benefit Gala (August 22). A visitor building a Maui cultural itinerary around late July and August could anchor it with Wailuku First Friday on August 7, an Obon Bon Dance in mid-August, and then the double-header of the hula festival and Maui Calls on August 22 — a genuinely extraordinary cultural arc across a single three-week Maui stay.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Things People Always Want to Know

When is Wailuku First Friday in 2026?

Wailuku First Friday is held on the first Friday of every month, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Market Street, Wailuku, Maui. Upcoming 2026 dates include June 6, July 3, August 7, September 4, October 2, November 6, and December 4.

Is Wailuku First Friday free?

Yes, completely free to attend. Food and vendor purchases support local businesses.

Where exactly is Wailuku First Friday held?

On Market Street, Wailuku, HI 96793 — the main street of historic Wailuku Town, Maui's county seat in central Maui.

Where do I park for Wailuku First Friday?

At the Wailuku Municipal Parking Garage, accessible via Church Street between Vineyard and Main — free parking after 6:00 PM. Note that Market Street closes to vehicles at 5:30 PM.

What kind of music is at Wailuku First Friday?

Primarily Hawaiian and local Maui music — two live sets on the Market Street stage from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, plus DJ music at the Wailuku Garage throughout the evening.

Who organises Wailuku First Friday?

Organised by the Wailuku First Friday team under contact organiser Daryl Fujiwara (daryl@wailukufirstfriday.com / 808-264-8779), supported by the County of Maui, Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, Kilohana by CNHA, and KPOA 93.5 FM.

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event: Wailuku First Friday 2026
• Category: Free monthly community street festival
• Frequency: Every first Friday of the month
• Hours: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• Venue: Market Street, Wailuku, HI 96793, Maui
• Second venue node: Wailuku Garage, 81 N. Market Street
• Entry: Free
• Road closure: Market Street closes to vehicles at 5:30 PM
• Parking: Wailuku Municipal Parking Garage (free after 6 PM) via Church Street between Vineyard and Main
• Programme: Two live Hawaiian/local music sets, DJ at Wailuku Garage, local food vendors, artisan marketplace, monthly themed activities
• 2026 confirmed editions: January 2, March 7 (Spring Fling), April 3 (Hoppin'), May 1 (Lei Day)
• Organiser contact: Daryl Fujiwara, daryl@wailukufirstfriday.com, 808-264-8779
• Supporters: County of Maui, Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, Kilohana by CNHA, KPOA 93.5 FM
• Official website: wailukufirstfriday.com
• Official Facebook: facebook.com/WailukuFirstFriday
• Nearest airport: Kahului Airport (OGG) — approximately 10 to 15 minutes

```

Few summer experiences in Hawaii are as genuinely moving, warmly inclusive, or deeply rooted in community tradition as Maui's Obon Festival season. From June through early September, Buddhist temples across the Valley Isle open their grounds for evenings of ancestral remembrance, taiko drumming, traditional dance, and some of the most beloved festival food in Hawaii. Obon season 2026 on Maui runs from early June through Sunday, September 7, 2026 — and every event is completely free to attend.

"The Bon Dance is not a performance you watch from the sidelines. It is a dance you join."

The Story of Obon Festival

A Tradition of Ancestral Remembrance

Obon (お盆) is a multi-day Japanese Buddhist tradition to honor the spirits of ancestors, rooted in the belief that those who have passed return to visit the living world once a year during this season. The centerpiece of every Obon celebration is the Bon Dance — a circular community dance performed around a yagura (a raised wooden platform) to the rhythms of taiko drums and traditional Obon songs.

In Japan, Obon traditionally lasts three days in August. In Hawaii, the season spans the full summer — June through early September — allowing individual Buddhist temples on each island to host their own Bon Dance on different weekends. This creates a summer-long rolling calendar of Obon events across Maui.

The 2026 Experience

Confirmed Schedule for Maui

Based on the established 2025 Maui Obon schedule, here is the expected 2026 Maui Bon Dance calendar. Verify directly with each temple before attending:

June 2026

• Kahului Jodo Mission — late June (2025: Saturday June 28); Service 6:30 PM, Dance 7:30 PM; 325 Laau St., Kahului; (808) 871-4911

July 2026

• Pāʻia Mantokuji Soto Zen Mission — mid-July (2025: Friday July 11 and Saturday July 12); Taiko at 6:00 PM, Dance 7:00 PM Saturday only; 253 Hana Highway, Paia; (808) 579-8051
• Kahului Hongwanji Mission — mid-July (2025: Friday July 18 and Saturday July 19); Service 6:00 PM, Dance 7:30 PM both nights; 291 S. Puunene Ave., Kahului; (808) 871-4732
• Makawao Hongwanji Mission — late July (2025: Friday July 25 and Saturday July 26); Service 5:00 PM, Dance 7:00 PM both nights; 1074 Makawao Ave., Makawao; (808) 572-7229

August 2026

• Wailuku Hongwanji Mission — early August (2025: Friday August 1 and Saturday August 2); Service 6:30 PM, Dance 7:45 PM both nights; 1828 Vineyard St., Wailuku; (808) 244-0406
• Lahaina Community Bon Dance — early August (2025: Saturday August 9, 6:30 PM); Lahaina Cannery Mall parking lots
• Pāʻia Rinzai Zen Mission — mid-August (2025: Saturday August 16); Service 6:00 PM, Dance 7:00 PM; 120 Alawai Road, Paia; (808) 579-9921
• Kula Shofukuji Mission — late August (2025: Saturday August 23); Service 6:30 PM, Dance 7:30 PM; 113 Puanani Place, Kula; (808) 661-0466

September 2026

• Hāna Buddhist Temple — early September (2025: Sunday September 7); 1819 Hana Highway; (808) 248-7010

Into the Temples

Each One Its Own World

Every Maui Obon carries the specific character of its host temple and community — no two are exactly alike:

• Pāʻia Mantokuji Soto Zen Mission on the Hana Highway in Paia is one of the most visually striking Obon settings on Maui — a Zen mission surrounded by North Shore jungle, with the Zenshin Daiko and Maui Taiko drum groups performing before the dance begins.
• Kahului Hongwanji Mission runs one of the largest and most attended Maui Obon dances over two consecutive nights, drawing hundreds of community members of all ages to the mission grounds in central Kahului.
• Makawao Hongwanji Mission in upcountry Maui carries a distinctly different atmosphere — higher elevation, cooler air, and the specific energy of Maui's upcountry Japanese-American farming community.
• Wailuku Hongwanji Mission on Vineyard Street in Wailuku draws from one of the most historically dense Japanese-American neighborhoods in all of Maui.
• Kula Shofukuji Mission at Puanani Place in Kula offers an upcountry Obon experience at an elevation where the summer air turns genuinely cool by 7:30 PM — a striking contrast to the beach resort world 45 minutes below.
• Hāna Buddhist Temple closes the season in September with the most remote and most intimate Obon on the island — the Road to Hana's ending point, a small community holding one of the Pacific's oldest traditions.

The Bon Dance

How It Works and How to Join

The Bon Dance format at every Maui temple follows a consistent and welcoming structure:

• An evening service at the temple typically precedes the dance by 1 to 1.5 hours — visitors are welcome to attend and observe, though participation in the religious service is respectfully optional.
• The yagura (raised platform) is erected in the center of the temple grounds; drummers, musicians, and folk singers take their positions as darkness falls.
• Dancers form concentric circles moving around the yagura in a slow, rhythmic, repetitive pattern — step right, step together, clap, wave, repeat; the specific movements vary slightly by song and temple tradition.
• Yukata (light summer kimono) are traditionally worn but absolutely not required — visitors in casual summer clothing are warmly welcomed at every temple.
• The dance is open to all ages, all backgrounds, and all levels of experience — first-timers are often gently guided into the circle by regular attendees.
• The atmosphere is described universally by first-time visitors as unexpectedly emotional — the circular, meditative quality of the dancing, the lantern light, and the awareness that you are moving in the same pattern that Hawaiian communities have followed for over a century creates a feeling that is genuinely hard to anticipate.

The Food

A Maui Obon Essential

The food concessions at Maui Bon Dances are as much a part of the tradition as the dance itself, and among the most genuinely local food experiences available on the island:

• Andagi — Okinawan fried doughnuts, crisp outside and pillowy inside, typically sold in bags at the concession table.
• Yakitori — skewered and grilled chicken with sweet soy glaze, cooked over charcoal.
• Saimin — Hawaii's beloved local noodle soup, a fusion of Japanese ramen and Chinese noodle traditions specific to the islands.
• Shave ice in tropical flavors — the ultimate Maui summer dessert at the Obon concession stand.
• Sushi and onigiri — rice-based Japanese food made by temple community members.
• Mochi and Japanese sweets — handmade by temple community groups.
• Local plate lunch combinations — rice, macaroni salad, and grilled meats in the specifically Hawaiian plate lunch format that reflects the Japanese-American community's deep roots in Hawaii's working culture.

The food concessions typically open 1 to 1.5 hours before the dance begins — arriving at 5:30 or 6:00 PM gives you time to eat, explore the temple grounds, and secure a good position near the yagura before the dancing starts.

Planning Your Maui Obon Experience

Practical Tips

• All Maui Obon Bon Dances are free — there is no admission charge at any temple. Food and drink purchases at the concession tables are the primary way attendees support the temple's fundraising.
• Arrive early — the food concessions open before the service and dance begin, and the best viewing positions around the yagura fill as the evening progresses.
• Parking is available at most temples with overflow to nearby streets or community lots — Pāʻia Mantokuji specifically recommends parking at the Pāʻia Community Center or Pāʻia Hawaiian Protestant Church across Hana Highway.
• Wear light clothing — Maui summer evenings range from warm in Kahului and Wailuku to genuinely cool in upcountry locations like Kula and Makawao; bring a light layer for the upcountry temples.
• Cash is strongly preferred for food concession purchases at most temples; card readers are not standard at temple fundraising tables.
• Photography is generally welcome at Bon Dances; use your judgment during the temple service itself and always ask before photographing religious ceremonies directly.

Combining Multiple Obon Events

A Journey Through Maui's Temples

Because each Maui temple schedules its Obon on a different weekend, a visitor staying on Maui for two to three weeks in July or August can realistically attend three or four different Bon Dances across the island — experiencing the same tradition in Pāʻia, Kahului, Makawao, and Wailuku within a single trip. Each location is different enough in atmosphere, food, and community character to feel like a genuinely distinct experience.

Getting to Key Maui Obon Venues

From Kahului Airport

• Kahului Jodo Mission / Kahului Hongwanji / Wailuku Hongwanji: 10 to 20 minutes from Kahului Airport (OGG) — the most accessible cluster of Obon events for visitors staying in central Maui.
• Pāʻia Mantokuji Mission: 20 minutes east of Kahului along Hana Highway; easily combined with a morning at Pāʻia's town and beaches.
• Makawao Hongwanji: 25 to 30 minutes from Kahului via the upcountry road through Pukalani.
• Kula Shofukuji Mission: 35 to 40 minutes from Kahului; combine with an upcountry Maui afternoon at Kula Botanical Garden or Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm.
• Hāna Buddhist Temple: 2 to 2.5 hours from Kahului via the Road to Hana — the September 7 closing event of the season; plan a full Road to Hana day trip culminating at the evening Obon.

The Sweetest Month for Obon

Maui 2026 in July and August

Obon season sits within the richest stretch of Maui's annual events calendar:

• Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival — Saturday August 22, Royal Lahaina Resort, Kāʻanapali Beach (free)
• 28th Annual Maui Calls Benefit Gala — Saturday August 22, Yokouchi Pavilion, MACC Kahului
• Maui Matsuri Festival — Saturday May 23, 2026 (already completed for the season)

The Obon season's July and August dates overlap perfectly with both the Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival and Maui Calls — meaning a Maui visitor in the third week of August 2026 can experience a Bon Dance at Wailuku Hongwanji in early August, the hula festival at Kāʻanapali on August 22, and the Maui Calls gala that same evening. That is one of the most culturally full single-week Maui itineraries imaginable.

Why the Obon Festival Is Unmissable

A Celebration of Community and Tradition

There are events in Hawaii that are designed for visitors. And then there are events that are simply part of how Hawaii lives — events that would happen regardless of whether any tourist ever bought a ticket, because they exist to serve the community that created them. The Maui Obon season is entirely in that second category.

The fact that visitors are welcomed so genuinely and completely into the circle makes it more special, not less. When you step into the Bon Dance at Pāʻia Mantokuji or Makawao Hongwanji on a July evening, with taiko drums sounding and paper lanterns glowing above the yagura, you are not watching Hawaii. You are in it.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Things People Always Want to Know

When is the Obon Bon Dance season on Maui in 2026?

The Maui Obon Bon Dance season runs from early June through Sunday, September 7, 2026, with individual temple events on different weekends throughout the summer.

Is the Maui Obon Festival free to attend?

Yes, all Maui Bon Dance events are completely free to attend. Food concession purchases support the temple's fundraising.

What is the Bon Dance and can tourists join?

The Bon Dance is a circular community dance performed around a yagura (raised platform) to taiko drumming and Obon folk songs. Tourists and visitors are warmly welcomed to join the dance circle — no experience required.

What food is available at the Maui Obon Festival?

Andagi (Okinawan doughnuts), yakitori, saimin, shave ice, sushi, onigiri, mochi, and local plate lunch combinations.

Which Maui temple hosts the most accessible Obon for visitors?

Kahului Hongwanji Mission (291 S. Puunene Ave., Kahului) runs one of the largest two-night Bon Dances in mid-July, approximately 10 minutes from Kahului Airport.

What should I wear to a Maui Obon Bon Dance?

Casual summer clothing is perfectly appropriate. Traditional yukata (summer kimono) is traditional but not required. Bring a light layer for upcountry temple locations like Kula and Makawao.

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event: Maui Obon Festival / Bon Dance Season 2026
• Category: Buddhist ancestral memorial festival and community dance series
• Season dates: Early June through Sunday, September 7, 2026
• Entry: Free at all Maui temples
• Format: Evening temple service followed by community Bon Dance around a yagura
• Confirmed Maui temples (based on 2025 schedule): Kahului Jodo Mission / Pāʻia Mantokuji Soto Zen Mission / Kahului Hongwanji Mission / Makawao Hongwanji Mission / Wailuku Hongwanji Mission / Lahaina Community Bon Dance / Pāʻia Rinzai Zen Mission / Kula Shofukuji Mission / Hāna Buddhist Temple
• Dance times: Typically 7:00 to 7:30 PM start; food concessions from approximately 5:30 to 6:00 PM
• Nearest airport: Kahului Airport (OGG) — 10 to 20 minutes to central Maui temples
• Best for: Japanese culture enthusiasts, Hawaii local experience seekers, families, summer Maui visitors, spiritual and cultural tourism travelers, food explorers, community festival seekers, island event content creators

On the morning of Saturday, August 22, 2026, the lawns of the Royal Lahaina Resort and Bungalows on Kāʻanapali Beach will fill with the sound of chant, the movement of hālau hula from across Maui, and the sight of Kumu Hula leading their students in performances that trace directly back to one of the most beloved women in Hawaiian cultural history. The Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival 2026 runs from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at the Royal Lahaina Resort and Bungalows, Lahaina, West Maui. Entry is completely free.

"Hula is the language of the heart, and therefore the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people."

The Story of Aunty Emma Farden Sharpe

A Legacy of Hula and Culture

The festival takes its name from Emma Kapiʻolani Farden Sharpe — known throughout the Hawaiian cultural world as "Aunty Emma" — one of the most dedicated and influential Kumu Hula of the 20th century. Aunty Emma made it her life's mission to perpetuate hula and Hawaiian culture at a time when those traditions faced real pressure from assimilation and modernisation.

She was one of the founders of Na Mele O Maui — the choir contest among Maui County schools in grades K through 12 that continues to this day — and later introduced the hula festival that bears her name, originally held in conjunction with Na Mele. The festival carried on through the 1980s before phasing out in the early 1990s. It was later revived in Aunty Emma's honour — a deliberate act of cultural memory by the Hawaiian community of West Maui — and has been growing ever since.

The 2026 Festival Experience

What to Expect This Year

The Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival 2026 is confirmed for Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Royal Lahaina Resort and Bungalows, 2780 Kekaa Drive, Lahaina, HI 96761:

• Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
• Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Venue: Royal Lahaina Resort and Bungalows, Kāʻanapali Beach, Lahaina, West Maui
• Entry: Free
• Contact: Daryl Fujiwara, [email protected]
• Official page: facebook.com/EFSHF

Note: The 2025 edition ran across two days (August 22 and 23) while the current confirmed 2026 listing shows Saturday, August 22 only. Check the official Facebook page for any updates on additional programming.

Highlights of the Festival

A Celebration of Hula and Culture

Based on the festival's established format across recent editions, the 2026 programme at the Royal Lahaina is expected to include:

• Hālau hula performances from multiple Kumu Hula and their students across West Maui and beyond, presenting both hula ʻauana (modern hula) and hula kahiko (ancient hula)
• Free cultural workshops — previous editions have included a Pūpū Weuweu session on regenerative resource stewardship through a hula lens, an ʻukulele workshop with local Lahaina musicians, and an intermediate hula workshop with Kumu Hula instructors
• Free keiki activities — the festival is explicitly designed as a family event with dedicated activities for children throughout the day
• Mākeke (artisan marketplace) — local Maui small businesses and artisans presenting locally made apparel, handcrafted jewellery, cultural goods, and local food
• Lifetime achievement award dedicated to a pillar of the hula community, honoring the living legacy of Aunty Emma's cultural mission
• Hawaii-made artists and Hawaiian music accompanying the hula performances throughout the day

The 2025 edition honoured Phyllis Ross, a lifelong student, dancer, and teacher of hula whose journey was deeply intertwined with Aunty Emma's legacy — and featured performances by the 2024 Carmen Hulu Lindsey Falsetto Champion Leimana Purdy and award-winning vocalist Natalie Aʻi Kamauʻu.

The Royal Lahaina Resort and Bungalows

A Venue with Its Own Story

The choice of the Royal Lahaina Resort and Bungalows as the festival's 2026 venue carries meaning beyond logistics. The Royal Lahaina sits directly on Kāʻanapali Beach — one of the most celebrated beaches in all of Hawaii, a 3-mile arc of golden sand on West Maui's coast that has been a centre of Hawaiian resort life since the 1960s.

The resort was described as the "people's place" by festival organisers — a property that has been reimagined and reopened following the devastating August 2023 Lahaina wildfires that forced the festival to a virtual format in 2023 and a Central Maui location in 2024 before returning to West Maui in 2025. The 2026 festival's return to the Royal Lahaina is part of Lahaina's ongoing cultural and community recovery. The festival coming home to West Maui, to the shore closest to where Aunty Emma's legacy is most deeply felt, carries significance that goes beyond any single event.

Festival guests booking accommodation through the festival's official link receive waived resort fees and free self-parking at the Royal Lahaina Resort.

The Hula Forms: ʻAuana and Kahiko

Embracing the Full Spectrum of Hula

The Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival specifically celebrates both major forms of hula — a distinction that matters deeply to the Hawaiian cultural community:

• Hula ʻauana is the more widely recognised form of hula in popular culture — flowing movements, contemporary costumes, and melodies often accompanied by guitar and ʻukulele. It emerged in the 19th century as hula evolved in response to Western musical influences
• Hula kahiko is the ancient form of hula, performed with traditional percussion instruments including the pahu drum and ipu gourd, chanted mele (songs/poems), and costumes rooted in pre-contact Hawaiian materials. Hula kahiko is the form most directly connected to Hawaiian spiritual and historical memory

Witnessing both forms performed by multiple hālau in a single day at Kāʻanapali Beach gives visitors an understanding of hula's full range that no luau show or resort performance can provide. This is hula as a living cultural practice, presented by the community that has carried it forward.

Lahaina and West Maui in August 2026

A Time of Renewal and Celebration

Attending the Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival on August 22 puts you in West Maui during one of the best months of the year for the region, and in the town that is in the midst of one of the most significant community rebuilding efforts in modern Hawaiian history:

• Kāʻanapali Beach — the festival venue sits directly on what is consistently ranked among the top 10 beaches in the United States; the beach runs 3 miles from the Sheraton Maui at Black Rock south to the Hyatt Regency Maui
• Lahaina town — the historic waterfront district is rebuilding following the 2023 wildfires; visiting in 2026 is an act of support for the community and its recovery
• The Banyan Tree — the enormous historic banyan tree in Lahaina's town square, which survived the 2023 fires, is approximately 10 minutes from the festival venue
• Whalers Village — the open-air shopping and dining centre on Kāʻanapali Beach is steps from the Royal Lahaina and offers post-festival dining options with direct beach views

Travel Tips for the Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival 2026

Making the Most of Your Festival Experience

• Arrive early — the festival opens at 10:00 AM on August 22 and the best positions for the hālau performances fill quickly. Arriving by 9:30 AM gives you time to explore the mākeke before the first hālau takes the stage
• Register for workshops in advance — the cultural workshops have limited capacity and registration is required. Check the official festival Facebook page for the 2026 workshop registration link
• Accommodation at the Royal Lahaina — book your room through the official festival link to receive waived resort fees and free self-parking
• Nearest airport: Kahului Airport (OGG) — approximately 45 minutes to Kāʻanapali Beach via the Honoapiʻilani Highway
• August weather in West Maui: Trade wind season; warm and sunny with afternoon breezes; average temperature 28 to 30°C; ideal conditions for an outdoor beach festival
• Bring cash for the mākeke artisan stalls and local food vendors; cards may not be accepted by all vendors
• Children are warmly welcomed — the free keiki activities programme makes August 22 a genuinely family-appropriate full day out
• Combine with a North Shore or Road to Hana day trip — arriving in Maui a day or two before August 22 gives you time to experience the island's full range before the festival

Supporters and Sponsors of the Festival

A Community-Driven Celebration

The Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival is supported by a community of organisations that reflects its genuine grassroots Hawaiian cultural character:

• County of Maui Office of Economic Development
• Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority
• Kilohana by CNHA (Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement)
• Lahaina Hawaiian Civic Club
• ʻOhana Farden (Aunty Emma's family)
• Pacific Media Group (KPOA 93.5 FM)
• KS Kaiāulu (Kamehameha Schools)
• Royal Lahaina Resort and Bungalows

The combination of county government, state tourism authority, Native Hawaiian civic organisations, and Aunty Emma's own family behind the event confirms this as one of the most authentically community-rooted cultural festivals in Hawaii.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Things People Always Want to Know

When is the Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival 2026?

The Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival 2026 is on Saturday, August 22, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Royal Lahaina Resort and Bungalows, Kāʻanapali Beach, Lahaina, Maui.

Is the Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival free to attend?

Yes, completely free.

Where is the festival held?

At the Royal Lahaina Resort and Bungalows, 2780 Kekaa Drive, Lahaina, HI 96761 on Kāʻanapali Beach, West Maui.

What types of hula are performed at the festival?

Both hula ʻauana (modern hula) and hula kahiko (ancient hula) are performed by multiple hālau hula throughout the day.

Who was Emma Farden Sharpe?

Emma Kapiʻolani Farden Sharpe (Aunty Emma) was a renowned Kumu Hula and co-founder of Na Mele O Maui who dedicated her life to perpetuating hula and Hawaiian culture. The festival honours her legacy.

How do I get to the Royal Lahaina Resort from Kahului Airport?

Approximately 45 minutes by car via the Honoapiʻilani Highway from Kahului Airport (OGG) to Kāʻanapali Beach, West Maui.

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event: Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival 2026
• Category: Free Hawaiian cultural hula festival
• Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
• Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Venue: Royal Lahaina Resort and Bungalows, 2780 Kekaa Drive, Lahaina, HI 96761, Kāʻanapali Beach, West Maui
• Entry: Free
• Programme: Hālau hula performances (ʻauana and kahiko), free cultural workshops, free keiki activities, mākeke artisan marketplace, lifetime achievement award, Hawaiian music
• Contact: Daryl Fujiwara, [email protected]
• Official Facebook: facebook.com/EFSHF
• Supporters: County of Maui, Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, Kilohana by CNHA, Lahaina Hawaiian Civic Club, ʻOhana Farden, KPOA 93.5 FM, KS Kaiāulu, Royal Lahaina Resort
• Nearest airport: Kahului Airport (OGG) — approximately 45 minutes by car
• Best for: Hawaiian culture enthusiasts, hula lovers, families with children, Maui visitors in August, West Maui community supporters, cultural tourism travelers, island event content creators

Some evenings on Maui are simply better than others. The kind where world-class chefs are handing you gourmet pūpū under the glow of the Yokouchi Pavilion, boutique vintners are pouring wines you have never tasted before, and the auction paddle in your hand might be the thing that lands you a guitar signed by a rock legend. That is Maui Calls — and the 28th Annual Maui Calls Benefit Gala returns on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center (MACC), Kahului, Maui.

Now in its 28th year, Maui Calls is the MACC's signature fundraiser and the event that Maui's arts and culinary communities point to as the island's most elegant and most beloved annual evening.

"Maui Calls is the Maui Arts and Cultural Center's annual benefit gala — an invitation-only, adults-only (21+) fundraising event that has been bringing together Maui's finest chefs, wine producers, performing artists, and community supporters every August since 1999."

The Story of Maui Calls

Maui's Premier Benefit Gala

Maui Calls is the Maui Arts and Cultural Center's annual benefit gala — an invitation-only, adults-only (21+) fundraising event that has been bringing together Maui's finest chefs, wine producers, performing artists, and community supporters every August since 1999.

Every dollar raised goes directly to supporting the MACC's programming — concerts, theatre performances, educational arts programmes, and the cultural infrastructure that makes the Maui Arts and Cultural Center one of the most important community institutions in Hawaii.

The event has built its reputation over 28 years on a specific combination that no other Maui event delivers in the same way:

• Maui's most celebrated restaurant chefs serving gourmet pūpū in person
• Award-winning wines from boutique wineries across the United States and around the world
• Live entertainment from some of the most talented performers on the island
• A silent and live auction offering items that are genuinely one-of-a-kind and exclusively available at Maui Calls

The 2026 Experience

What to Expect on August 22

The 28th Annual Maui Calls takes place on Saturday, August 22, 2026 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM at the Yokouchi Pavilion, Maui Arts and Cultural Center, Kahului:

The evening follows the format that has made Maui Calls Maui's most anticipated annual gala since 1999:

• Fresh flower lei greeting and Hawaiian music serenade on arrival
• Gourmet pūpū stations — award-winning Maui chefs preparing and serving their finest creations directly to guests; past editions have featured chefs from Maui's most celebrated restaurants
• Premium wine tasting — wines selected from boutique wineries across the country poured throughout the evening
• Live entertainment — performances by Hawaiian musicians, hālau hula, and special guest artists across the four-hour programme
• Silent auction beginning at the event's opening — bidding on Maui adventures, staycations, dining experiences, and original artworks
• Live auction featuring the most premium and most exclusive items; past live auction highlights have included musical instruments autographed by celebrities who have performed on the MACC's stages, one-of-a-kind Maui experiences, and unique MACC-only items
• Dancing to close the evening under the glowing roof of the Yokouchi Pavilion

The 2025 edition (27th Annual) featured performances by Benny Uyetake, Joel Katz, The Hula Honeys, Hālau Hula Kauluokalā under Kumu Hula Uluwehi Guerrero, aerialist Andrea Torres, MAKANA, and the JD and the On The Rocks Band closing the night with dance music — setting a high benchmark for the 2026 programme.

The full 2026 entertainment lineup and chef roster will be announced closer to August 22. Check mauiarts.org/mauicalls for updates.

The Yokouchi Pavilion

The Perfect Setting

The Yokouchi Pavilion at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center is one of the most atmospheric event spaces in all of Hawaii:

• An open-air covered pavilion with its iconic glowing roof visible from across the MACC grounds
• Set within the broader MACC campus in Kahului, which includes the Castle Theatre, the McCoy Studio Theatre, and the A&B Amphitheater
• Capacity to hold the full Maui Calls gala layout of food stations, wine stations, auction areas, performance stages, and dance floor simultaneously
• The combination of the pavilion's architecture, the tropical evening air of Maui in August, and the quality of the food and entertainment creates an event atmosphere that guests consistently describe as unlike anything else on the island

The Auction

Where the Night Gets Exciting

The Maui Calls auction is one of the most talked-about features of the annual event and a genuine driver of the evening's fundraising for the MACC:

Silent auction items typically include:

• Maui resort staycation packages
• Fine dining experiences at Maui's top restaurants
• Original works of art by Maui-based artists
• Adventure experiences including ocean charters, hiking tours, and cultural experiences
• MACC-exclusive items available only at Maui Calls

Live auction highlights in past editions have included:

• Musical instruments autographed by celebrity performers who have appeared on the MACC stages
• Round of golf with notable figures (past editions have included Alice Cooper)
• Exclusive travel and cultural experiences
• Collector items with direct ties to MACC's performing arts history

Why Maui Calls Matters

Beyond the Gala

The Maui Arts and Cultural Center is not just a venue. Since opening in 1994, it has been the cultural heart of Maui — a community-built, community-supported institution that brings world-class performing arts, visual arts, and cultural education to an island of approximately 168,000 residents:

• The MACC hosts over 100 events annually ranging from Broadway touring shows and internationally recognised musicians to local Maui talent showcases and school arts programmes
• It operates multiple galleries, theatres, and educational spaces across its Kahului campus
• The Maui Calls benefit gala is the single most important fundraising event the MACC runs — the funds raised on August 22 directly support the programming that serves the entire Maui community year-round

When you attend Maui Calls, you are not just attending a gala. You are investing directly in every concert, every school workshop, every cultural performance, and every artist the MACC will bring to Maui in the following year.

Practical Information

For Maui Calls 2026

• Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
• Time: 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM (based on the 2025 edition's confirmed hours)
• Venue: Yokouchi Pavilion, Maui Arts and Cultural Center, 1 Cameron Way, Kahului, Maui, HI 96732
• Age requirement: 21 and over with valid photo ID
• Tickets: Ticket pricing for 2026 TBA; past editions have been priced around $175 to $200 per person with table reservations available for groups
• For event or sponsorship inquiries: Contact Catherine Taylor at the MACC on 808-243-4237
• Booking and information: mauiarts.org/mauicalls

Getting to the MACC

From Kahului Airport

• The Maui Arts and Cultural Center is approximately 10 minutes from Kahului Airport (OGG) by taxi or hire car — one of the most conveniently located major event venues on the island
• Street and surface parking is available at the MACC campus on event nights
• Rideshare services (Uber and Lyft) operate on Maui and are a convenient option for attending a gala where wine is flowing throughout the evening

Where to Stay

Near the MACC

• Maui Beach Hotel, Kahului — budget-friendly and approximately 10 minutes from the MACC
• Courtyard by Marriott Maui Kahului — clean, well-located, and airport-adjacent
• Kāʻanapali Beach Resort corridor — approximately 40 minutes west; most visitors attending Maui Calls for a full Maui holiday will base themselves at Kāʻanapali or Wailea and travel to Kahului for the gala evening

August 22 on Maui

A Day of Extraordinary Events

One of the most notable aspects of the 2026 Maui calendar is that August 22 hosts two of the most significant events in West Maui and Central Maui simultaneously:

• Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival — 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Royal Lahaina Resort, Kāʻanapali Beach (free admission)
• 28th Annual Maui Calls Benefit Gala — 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM at the Yokouchi Pavilion, MACC, Kahului

A visitor staying in Kāʻanapali or West Maui on August 22 could experience free hula performances at the beach in the morning and afternoon, then drive 40 minutes east to Kahului for the most elegant food and wine gala on the island that same evening. That is one of the most fully realised single-day Maui cultural itineraries available anywhere on the 2026 calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Things People Always Want to Know

When is the 28th Annual Maui Calls 2026?

The 28th Annual Maui Calls Benefit Gala is on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, Kahului, Maui.

What is Maui Calls?

The annual signature benefit gala for the Maui Arts and Cultural Center (MACC) — Maui's premier food, wine, live entertainment, and auction fundraising event, running since 1999.

Where is Maui Calls held?

At the Yokouchi Pavilion, Maui Arts and Cultural Center, 1 Cameron Way, Kahului, Maui.

Who can attend Maui Calls?

All attendees must be 21 years of age or older with a valid photo ID.

How do I buy tickets for Maui Calls 2026?

Through mauiarts.org/mauicalls — or contact Catherine Taylor at the MACC directly on 808-243-4237 for event and sponsorship inquiries.

What does Maui Calls fundraise for?

All proceeds benefit the Maui Arts and Cultural Center — supporting concerts, theatre, educational arts programmes, and cultural events across the MACC's annual calendar.

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event: 28th Annual Maui Calls Benefit Gala
• Category: Annual benefit gala and fundraising event
• Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
• Time: 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
• Venue: Yokouchi Pavilion, Maui Arts and Cultural Center, 1 Cameron Way, Kahului, Maui, HI 96732
• Age requirement: 21+ with valid photo ID
• Beneficiary: Maui Arts and Cultural Center (MACC)
• Programme: Flower lei greeting, gourmet pūpū stations, premium wine tasting, live entertainment, hula performance, silent and live auctions, dancing
• Tickets: TBA for 2026; historically $175 to $200 per person; table reservations available
• Contact: Catherine Taylor, 808-243-4237
• Official website: mauiarts.org/mauicalls
• Nearest airport: Kahului Airport (OGG) — approximately 10 minutes

```

Some events exist to entertain. Others exist to heal. Lights for Lahaina 2026 is firmly, beautifully, and purposefully in that second category. Presented by Aloha Amplified, Inc., this free two-day community gathering returns to the heart of historic Lahaina on Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12, 2026 — expanding from its inaugural 2025 edition into a richer, deeper, more spacious experience that gives the Lahaina community and its supporters more room to reflect, remember, and reconnect.

This is not a festival in the conventional sense. It is a gathering centered on the lived practice of aloha — and it is one of the most genuinely meaningful public events on the entire 2026 Maui calendar.

"Lights for Lahaina is not just an event; it is a testament to resilience and community spirit."

The Story Behind Lights for Lahaina

A Community's Resilience and Cultural Determination

The August 8, 2023 Lahaina wildfires were the deadliest natural disaster in the United States in over a century. The fires killed at least 102 people, destroyed more than 2,200 structures, displaced thousands of residents, and left the historic waterfront town of Lahaina — a place of profound cultural and spiritual significance to the Hawaiian people — in ash.

The response from the Lahaina community was, and continues to be, one of the most moving examples of collective resilience and cultural determination in the modern Pacific. Lights for Lahaina was born directly from that response.

In direct response to community feedback asking for more space and more time together, the 2026 edition expands into a two-day gathering.

Lights for Lahaina 2026: The Two-Day Programme

Day 1: Our Lahaina Story

Friday, September 11, 2026 | 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Maria Lanakila Catholic Church, 712 Waine'e Street, Lahaina, HI 96761

The first evening is built around shared roots and living memory. The programme includes:

• Interactive exhibit at the centre of the evening — inviting people to write, draw, and reflect on the everyday moments, voices, and memories that continue to shape Lahaina
• Local entertainment — Hawaiian musicians and performers whose connection to Lahaina is personal and deep
• Foods we grew up with — local food vendors serving the dishes and flavours that form part of the community's shared memory and identity
• Cultural practitioners and activities — Hawaiian cultural engagement across the grounds
• Storytelling and talk story reflections — guided and informal conversation circles where community members share their Lahaina memories
• ʻOhana Bingo and favourite games from the community's shared past
• Creative art and healing experiences for all ages including keiki
• Community resources — organisations supporting Lahaina's ongoing recovery and cultural preservation present throughout the evening

Day 2: The Light March

A Candlelit Journey Through Lahaina

Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Begins at Puʻunoa Beach, concludes at Maria Lanakila Catholic Church

At dusk on September 12, the community gathers at Puʻunoa Beach — a deeply significant stretch of Lahaina's shoreline — and walks together through historic Lahaina Town in a respectful, candlelit procession:

• Carrying light as a unified symbol of remembrance and resilience
• Kanikapila-style music woven gently along the march route — informal, participatory Hawaiian music in the tradition of community music-making rather than performance
• Shared stories offered along the route by community members and cultural practitioners
• Quiet reflection at specific points along the march through Lahaina Town
• Light refreshments available during the gathering
• Closing gathering at Maria Lanakila Catholic Church as the procession completes its route through town

The march route through historic Lahaina Town is itself an act of cultural reclamation.

Maria Lanakila Catholic Church: A Venue That Survived

A Symbol of Hope and Continuity

The choice of Maria Lanakila Catholic Church at 712 Waine'e Street, Lahaina as the anchor venue for both evenings of Lights for Lahaina 2026 is deeply intentional.

Maria Lanakila — "Our Lady of Victory" — is one of the oldest Catholic churches in Hawaii, established in 1846, and one of the historic structures that survived the August 2023 fires. The church grounds, adjacent to the Sacred Hearts School, sit in the heart of the neighbourhood that was most severely impacted by the fire, making them a place of profound significance for the community's ongoing healing and gathering.

The Organisation Behind the Event: Aloha Amplified

Community-Driven and Locally Rooted

Aloha Amplified, Inc. is the Lahaina-based nonprofit presenting Lights for Lahaina 2026. The organisation's board includes:

• Wilmont "Kamaunu" Kahaiali'i — Kumu Kamaunu, a Hawaiian cultural practitioner and one of the central figures in Lahaina's cultural community, who led the inaugural 2025 Light March to Puʻunoa Beach
• Linn Nishikawa — board member and spokesperson
• Lori Nishikawa — board member and spokesperson

The organisation operates in collaboration with Mālama Maui ʻOhana Foundation and a broad network of community sponsors that reflects the depth of institutional support for Lahaina's recovery.

The Sponsors and Supporters

A Community United

Lights for Lahaina 2026 is supported by a community of organisations representing Maui's civic, cultural, and philanthropic infrastructure:

• Maui Strong Fund of the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation
• Maria Lanakila Catholic Church
• Sacred Hearts School
• Na Kiʻaʻi O Maui
• Pacific Media Group (KPOA 93.5 FM)
• Rotary Clubs of Maui
• County of Maui Office of Economic Development
• Maui Pono Foundation
• Pasha Hawaii
• Maui Paradise Properties
• Tyler Coons Maui

The breadth of this supporter network reflects the community consensus that events like Lights for Lahaina are not optional. They are essential.

The Lahaina Time Capsule: A Living Legacy

Preserving Memories for Future Generations

One of the most quietly extraordinary dimensions of the Lights for Lahaina project is the Lahaina Time Capsule — a community memory archive that began at the 2025 inaugural event and continues to grow:

• Buried at Maria Lanakila Catholic Church — the physical location is marked with a commemorative bronze plaque and GPS marker
• Contents: Letters, drawings, photographs, and messages contributed by community members at the 2025 event, digitised before burial in December 2025
• To be opened in 2043 — twenty years after the fires
• The time capsule is an act of deliberate cultural memory — a decision by the Lahaina community to send something forward to the people their children will become

Why Visitors Should Attend Lights for Lahaina 2026

A Meaningful Way to Engage with Maui

Traveling to Maui carries a specific responsibility in 2026. Lahaina is still rebuilding. Thousands of community members are still navigating displacement, loss, and the slow, complicated process of returning to a place that looks different from the one they knew.

Attending Lights for Lahaina is one of the most direct and most meaningful ways a Maui visitor can demonstrate that their presence on the island is not just consumption. It is participation. It is showing up for a community that showed up for itself on the worst night in its modern history.

The event is free. It is open to all. It asks nothing of you except your presence, your respect, and your willingness to walk through Lahaina Town carrying light with the people who call it home.

Practical Information for Lights for Lahaina 2026

Getting There

• Maria Lanakila Catholic Church, 712 Waine'e Street, Lahaina, HI 96761
• From Kahului Airport (OGG): Approximately 45 to 50 minutes west via the Honoapiʻilani Highway
• From Kāʻanapali Beach resort corridor: Approximately 10 to 15 minutes south into Lahaina Town
• From Wailea: Approximately 1 hour north and west along the Piilani Highway connecting to the Honoapiʻilani

Day 2 Light March Starting Point

A Symbolic Walk Through History

• The Light March on September 12 begins at Puʻunoa Beach — approximately 10 minutes walk north of Maria Lanakila Church along the Lahaina shoreline — and concludes back at the church
• Participants are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a light layer for the evening sea breeze

Accommodation Near the Event

Where to Stay

• Royal Lahaina Resort and Bungalows — Kāʻanapali Beach, 10 to 15 minutes north; also the venue for the Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival on August 22
• Aston at the Whaler on Kāʻanapali Beach — condo-style accommodation within the Kāʻanapali corridor
• Lahaina town guesthouses and inns — several properties within walking distance of the Maria Lanakila venue

Contact and Information

Stay Connected

• Official website: lightsforlahaina.org
• Email: lahaina@alohaamplified.org
• Donations to support the event: givebutter.com/lights-for-lahaina-2025-copy-kgvbcq

The Broader September Maui Context

A Time of Reflection and Celebration

Attending Lights for Lahaina on September 11 and 12 places you in West Maui during a deeply meaningful window of the 2026 Maui calendar:

• Wailuku First Friday — September 4, Market Street, Wailuku (one week before Lights for Lahaina)
• Maui Obon Bon Dance season closes on September 7 at Hāna Buddhist Temple
• Coral Coast Rally 2026 (Fiji) — September 11 to 23 for Pacific island travelers in the same window

A visitor staying in West Maui the week of September 7 to 14 could close the Obon season at Hāna on September 7, experience Our Lahaina Story at Maria Lanakila on September 11, and walk the Light March through Lahaina Town on September 12.

Carry the Light

Join the Community in a Symbolic Walk

On the evening of September 12, 2026, a community will gather at Puʻunoa Beach as the sun goes down over the Lahaina waters, pick up their lights, and walk together through a town that refused to disappear. They will carry those lights past the banyan tree that survived, past the church that survived, past the spaces where buildings once stood and new ones are slowly rising.

You are invited to walk with them. The event is free. The dates are September 11 and 12, 2026. The address is Maria Lanakila Catholic Church, 712 Waine'e Street, Lahaina, Maui. And the only thing you need to bring is yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Things People Always Want to Know

When is Lights for Lahaina 2026?

Lights for Lahaina 2026 runs on Friday, September 11 (4:30 to 8:00 PM) and Saturday, September 12, 2026 (6:00 to 9:00 PM) at Maria Lanakila Catholic Church, Lahaina.

Is Lights for Lahaina 2026 free?

Yes, completely free and open to the public.

Where exactly does Lights for Lahaina 2026 take place?

Maria Lanakila Catholic Church, 712 Waine'e Street, Lahaina, HI 96761. The Day 2 Light March begins at Puʻunoa Beach and concludes back at the church.

What is the Light March?

A respectful community walk through historic Lahaina Town on the evening of September 12, beginning at Puʻunoa Beach at dusk and concluding at Maria Lanakila Catholic Church — carrying light as a symbol of remembrance and resilience, accompanied by kanikapila music and shared stories.

Who organises Lights for Lahaina?

Aloha Amplified, Inc. in collaboration with Mālama Maui ʻOhana Foundation, supported by the Maui Strong Fund, County of Maui, Pacific Media Group, Rotary Clubs of Maui, and a broad community of Lahaina sponsors.

What is the Lahaina Time Capsule?

A community memory archive of letters, drawings, photographs, and messages contributed at the 2025 inaugural event — buried at Maria Lanakila Catholic Church with a bronze plaque and GPS marker, to be opened in 2043.

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event: Lights for Lahaina 2026
• Category: Free community memorial and healing gathering
• Day 1: Our Lahaina Story — Friday, September 11, 2026 | 4:30 to 8:00 PM | Maria Lanakila Catholic Church 
• Day 2: Light March — Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 6:00 to 9:00 PM | Puʻunoa Beach to Maria Lanakila Catholic Church 
• Venue: Maria Lanakila Catholic Church, 712 Waine'e Street, Lahaina, HI 96761
• Entry: Free, open to the public
• Presenter: Aloha Amplified, Inc.
• In collaboration with: Mālama Maui ʻOhana Foundation
• Programme highlights: Interactive memory exhibit, local entertainment, community foods, storytelling, cultural activities, keiki art, ʻohana bingo, healing experiences, community resource tables (Day 1); candlelit Light March through Lahaina Town with kanikapila music and shared stories (Day 2)
• Lahaina Time Capsule: Buried at Maria Lanakila, to be opened 2043
• Contact: lahaina@alohaamplified.org
• Official website: lightsforlahaina.org
• Donations: givebutter.com/lights-for-lahaina-2025-copy-kgvbcq
• Nearest airport: Kahului Airport (OGG) — approximately 45 to 50 minutes west

```

If you are looking for one of the most welcoming and genuinely local free events on Maui, the answer is a short drive from almost anywhere on the island. Aloha Friday at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center is a free annual community celebration presented by Festivals of Aloha at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center, 275 W. Kaʻahumanu Avenue, Kahului, Maui — bringing Hawaiian music, hula performances, local food, and community spirit together in the central mall that has served as the shopping and social heart of Kahului for decades.

The 2026 edition is confirmed for Friday, September 11, 2026 — part of the broader Festivals of Aloha September events schedule on Maui.

"Aloha Friday at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center is a free annual community celebration bringing Hawaiian music, hula performances, local food, and community spirit together in the heart of Kahului."

The Story of Aloha Friday

A Celebration of Hawaiian Culture

Aloha Friday at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center is part of the Festivals of Aloha series — a Maui-based cultural programming initiative dedicated to sharing authentic Hawaiian culture through free, community-centered events that bring residents and visitors together on equal terms.

The format draws from the spirit of the original "Aloha Friday" tradition — the Hawaiian cultural practice of wearing aloha attire on Fridays as a reminder of local identity and values. At Queen Kaʻahumanu Center, that spirit is translated into an evening of live music, hula, cultural activities, local vendors, and the kind of warm, multigenerational community energy that Maui does better than almost anywhere on earth.

The event is free and open to the public — shoppers, families, visitors, and community members all mixing on the Center Court floor in a celebration that costs nothing to attend and delivers something genuinely hard to replicate in any paid venue.

The 2026 Festivals of Aloha September Schedule

A Month of Cultural Richness

Aloha Friday at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center sits within the Festivals of Aloha 2026 September events programme — one of the most culturally rich single-month calendars on Maui:

• Wailuku First Friday — Friday, September 4, 2026 | 6:00 to 9:00 PM | Market Street, Wailuku
• Aloha Friday at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center — Friday, September 11, 2026 | Queen Kaʻahumanu Center, Kahului
• Richard Hoʻopiʻi Leo Kiʻekiʻe Falsetto Contest — Saturday, September 19, 2026

This three-event arc across September 2026 gives any visitor staying on Maui for two to three weeks in September the opportunity to experience three completely different dimensions of Hawaiian cultural programming within a single trip.

Queen Kaʻahumanu Center: Maui's Community Hub

A Space for Connection and Culture

Queen Kaʻahumanu Center at 275 W. Kaʻahumanu Avenue is Maui's largest shopping mall and one of the most community-engaged retail spaces in Hawaii:

• Named after Queen Kaʻahumanu — one of the most powerful and most historically significant figures in Hawaiian history, the favourite wife of King Kamehameha I and the first woman to wield political power in the Hawaiian Kingdom
• Located in central Kahului, approximately 10 to 15 minutes from Kahului Airport (OGG) — the most accessible major event venue on Maui
• The Center Court at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center is the anchor space for cultural events, performances, and community programming throughout the year
• The Center runs a regular programme of free monthly community events throughout 2026, including Bingo Night on the third Friday of every month from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Center Court — free bingo with merchandise and gift card prizes from QKC retailers and restaurants
• A Farmer's Market operates every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on the Center grounds
• A Spectacular Hula Show runs regularly on select Sundays from 1:30 to 2:30 PM at Center Court — giving visitors multiple opportunities to experience Hawaiian hula in a central Maui location beyond the Aloha Friday event

The Festivals of Aloha: The Organisation Behind the Event

Preserving and Celebrating Hawaiian Traditions

Festivals of Aloha is the Maui-based cultural programming organisation that produces Aloha Friday at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center alongside its broader September events calendar:

• The organisation is dedicated to sharing authentic Hawaiian culture through free, accessible community events across Maui
• Its September programming consistently includes some of the most respected Hawaiian music and cultural competitions on the island — including the Richard Hoʻopiʻi Leo Kiʻekiʻe Falsetto Contest, one of the most prestigious falsetto competitions in Hawaii, running on September 19, 2026
• Past Aloha Friday at QKC editions have featured live Hawaiian music, hula performances by local hālau, cultural demonstrations, artisan vendors, and community activities for all ages
• The 2022 Aloha Friday at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center ran from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM — the most recent confirmed format reference for the event's hours

What to Expect at Aloha Friday at QKC 2026

A Night of Music, Dance, and Community

Based on the established format of past Aloha Friday at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center events, the September 11, 2026 edition is expected to include:

• Live Hawaiian music performed on the Center Court stage — local Maui artists playing traditional and contemporary Hawaiian repertoire
• Hula performances by Maui hālau and cultural practitioners — the same community of Hawaiian dance educators and students who appear throughout Maui's annual cultural calendar
• Local artisan vendors presenting Maui-made clothing, jewellery, art, and cultural items
• Cultural activities and demonstrations for all ages
• Community atmosphere with families, visitors, and long-time Maui residents sharing the space
• Easy access to QKC's restaurant and food court options within the mall for before or after the event

The full 2026 programme and confirmed performance lineup will be announced by Festivals of Aloha closer to the September 11 date. Check festivalsofaloha.com for updates.

Queen Kaʻahumanu Center's Full 2026 Free Events Programme

A Year-Round Calendar of Community Events

Beyond Aloha Friday, Queen Kaʻahumanu Center runs one of the most generous free community events calendars of any shopping centre in Hawaii:

• Bingo Night — third Friday of every month, 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Center Court; free bingo cards and markers provided; prizes include merchandise and gift cards from QKC retailers; grand prize awarded at end of night
• Farmer's Market — every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Spectacular Hula Show — selected Sundays at 1:30 to 2:30 PM at Center Court
• Seasonal community events throughout the year — check queenkaahumanucenter.com/events for the current calendar

The combination of the Farmer's Market three days a week, monthly Bingo Nights, regular hula shows, and special events like Aloha Friday makes Queen Kaʻahumanu Center one of the most community-active retail spaces in the entire Pacific island region.

Also in Maui: Aloha Fridays at Kapalua

A New Tradition in West Maui

A separate but related event launched in 2026 is Aloha Fridays at Kapalua — a new quarterly community event at The Barn at Kapalua, West Maui:

• The inaugural edition launched on Friday, May 8, 2026 from 5:00 to 9:00 PM at The Barn at Kapalua
• This is a distinct event from Aloha Friday at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center — different organiser, different venue, different part of Maui
• Future quarterly Aloha Fridays at Kapalua dates for 2026 have not yet been confirmed; check Maui Now events for upcoming editions
• The Barn at Kapalua is located in the Kapalua resort area in northwest West Maui, approximately 15 minutes north of Kāʻanapali Beach

The September 11 Context: A Day of Significance

Two Events, One Evening

The date of Aloha Friday at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center — September 11, 2026 — carries additional community resonance in the 2026 Maui calendar. On the same evening, Lights for Lahaina's Day 1 (Our Lahaina Story) runs from 4:30 to 8:00 PM at Maria Lanakila Catholic Church in Lahaina.

A visitor or resident in central or western Maui on September 11 could attend Aloha Friday at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center in Kahului in the early evening, then drive 45 minutes west to join the closing hours of the Lights for Lahaina gathering at Maria Lanakila — two of the most culturally authentic and most community-rooted free events on Maui's 2026 calendar on the same evening.

Practical Information for Aloha Friday at QKC 2026

Getting There

• Address: Queen Kaʻahumanu Center, 275 W. Kaʻahumanu Avenue, Kahului, Maui, HI 96732
• From Kahului Airport (OGG): Approximately 10 to 15 minutes by car or taxi — one of the most accessible event venues on all of Maui
• From Kāʻanapali Beach: Approximately 40 minutes east via the Honoapiʻilani Highway
• From Wailea: Approximately 35 to 40 minutes north via Piilani Highway

Parking

• Free parking available throughout the Queen Kaʻahumanu Center parking lots — no validation required for shopping centre access
• The large surface and structured parking available at QKC means this is one of the easiest-to-park events on the Maui calendar

Tips for Visitors

• Wear aloha attire — the spirit of Aloha Friday is embodied in wearing an aloha shirt, muumuu, or Hawaiian-inspired clothing; while not required, it deepens the experience and connects you to the tradition the evening celebrates
• Arrive early to browse any vendor stalls and secure good positions near the Center Court performance area before the entertainment begins
• Family-friendly throughout — Queen Kaʻahumanu Center events are explicitly designed for all ages and the Center Court setting is ideal for families with children
• Combine with dinner at one of QKC's food court or restaurant options within the mall for a full evening out
• Check festivalsofaloha.com for the confirmed 2026 performer lineup closer to September 11

Frequently Asked Questions

The Things People Always Want to Know

When is Aloha Friday at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center 2026?

Friday, September 11, 2026 at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center, 275 W. Kaʻahumanu Avenue, Kahului, Maui — part of the Festivals of Aloha 2026 September events programme.

Is Aloha Friday at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center free?

Yes, completely free and open to the public.

What time does Aloha Friday at QKC start?

Based on the 2022 format, hours are approximately 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Confirm the exact 2026 hours at festivalsofaloha.com as the September date approaches.

What other free events does Queen Kaʻahumanu Center run in 2026?

Monthly Bingo Night (third Friday of each month, 5:00 to 7:00 PM), a Farmer's Market every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM), and regular Spectacular Hula Shows on selected Sundays at 1:30 PM.

Who organises Aloha Friday at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center?

Festivals of Aloha — a Maui-based cultural programming organisation; check festivalsofaloha.com for full event and performer details.

What is the difference between Aloha Friday at QKC and Aloha Fridays at Kapalua?

Two separate events. Aloha Friday at QKC is organised by Festivals of Aloha on September 11, 2026 at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center in Kahului. Aloha Fridays at Kapalua is a new quarterly event that launched May 8, 2026 at The Barn at Kapalua in northwest West Maui.

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event: Aloha Friday at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center 2026
• Category: Free annual Hawaiian cultural community event
• Date: Friday, September 11, 2026
• Expected hours: Approximately 4:00 to 8:00 PM (confirm at festivalsofaloha.com)
• Venue: Queen Kaʻahumanu Center, 275 W. Kaʻahumanu Avenue, Kahului, Maui, HI 96732
• Entry: Free
• Organiser: Festivals of Aloha
• Programme: Live Hawaiian music, hula performances, cultural activities, local artisan vendors, community atmosphere
• Official website: festivalsofaloha.com
• QKC regular events: Bingo Night (3rd Friday monthly, 5:00 to 7:00 PM), Farmer's Market (Tue/Wed/Fri 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM), Spectacular Hula Shows (selected Sundays 1:30 PM)
• Same-day companion event: Lights for Lahaina Day 1 (Our Lahaina Story) — September 11, 4:30 to 8:00 PM, Lahaina
• Nearest airport: Kahului Airport (OGG) — approximately 10 to 15 minutes
• Best for: Hawaiian culture enthusiasts, free event seekers, families, September Maui visitors, community event attendees, central Maui shoppers, island event content creators

There is one weekend every September when the Castle Theater at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center becomes the most electrically charged space in all of Hawaii. Hālau from the islands, from Japan, and from the continental United States take the stage. Kumu Hula judges lean forward. The audience holds its breath. And Maui's only adult hula competition delivers something that no resort luau, no beach performance, and no cultural showcase can replicate. The 19th Annual Kū Mai Ka Hula 2026 returns on Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12, 2026 at the Castle Theater, Maui Arts and Cultural Center (MACC), Kahului, Maui.

"It's the one weekend a year the whole island shows up in the same place."

The Story of Kū Mai Ka Hula

More Than Just a Competition

Kū Mai Ka Hula is Maui's only adult hula competition — a title that understates its significance considerably. It is one of the most prestigious hula competitions in the entire State of Hawaii, drawing hālau (hula schools) from across the Hawaiian Islands, Japan, and the continental United States to compete across two full days of solo and group performances.

The name translates roughly as "Rise Up, the Hula" — and the competition lives up to that declaration every year.

Both Kāne (male) and Wahine (female) hālau compete in two distinct disciplines:

• Hula Kahiko — the ancient form of hula, performed with traditional percussion instruments, chanted mele, and ceremonial costuming rooted in pre-contact Hawaiian materials and spiritual tradition
• Hula ʻAuana — the modern form of hula, performed to contemporary melodies often accompanied by guitar and ʻukulele, with flowing costuming and lyrical movement

All portions of the competition are judged by renowned Kumu Hula from throughout Hawaiʻi — a panel whose collective cultural authority gives every result the weight of deep tradition.

The 2026 Experience

Confirmed Dates and Schedule

The 19th Annual Kū Mai Ka Hula is confirmed for Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12, 2026 at the Castle Theater, MACC, Kahului. This was directly confirmed in the official Kū Mai Ka Hula Facebook competition group, which stated: "Maui's Premier Adult Hula Competition. 2026 Dates: September 11 and 12. Next year's Kū Mai Ka Hula competition will be held on the second weekend of September".

The competition follows the established two-day format:

• Day 1 (Friday, September 11) — opening competition rounds, typically featuring the first discipline (kahiko or ʻauana) across competing hālau in both Kāne and Wahine divisions
• Day 2 (Saturday, September 12) — second competition rounds and awards ceremony; the most heavily attended and most anticipated day of the two-day programme

Tickets for the 2026 edition had not been officially released at time of writing. Based on the 2025 (18th Annual) pricing:

• Adult single day: $38 (all fees included)
• Children 12 and under: $21 per day
• Two-day adult discounted rate: $35 per day when both competition days are purchased together
• Tickets available at: mauiarts.org

A Global Gathering

International Reach of Kū Mai Ka Hula

Kū Mai Ka Hula is not simply a local Maui competition. The hālau that compete travel from across the world:

• Hawaiian Islands — hālau from Maui, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi, and Molokaʻi
• Japan — Japanese hālau whose dedication to Hawaiian hula reflects one of the most passionate hula communities outside Hawaii
• Continental United States — hālau from California, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond

When a Japanese hālau delivers a technically flawless hula kahiko on the Castle Theater stage, and the audience responds with the same reverence it gives a Maui-born hālau, the universality of what hula communicates becomes impossible to deny.

Into the Castle: The Perfect Stage

The Ideal Venue for Hula

The Castle Theater at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center is the premier performing arts venue on Maui — a purpose-built indoor theater with professional lighting, acoustics, and staging that gives every Kū Mai Ka Hula performance the presentation quality it deserves.

The theater has hosted the competition since the event's early years, and the audience-to-stage relationship at the Castle Theater is considered ideal for hula competition: close enough to see every hand movement, every eye direction, and every nuance of footwork that separates the great performances from the merely excellent ones.

The MACC campus in Kahului also houses the McCoy Studio Theater, the A&B Amphitheater, and the Yokouchi Pavilion — making it the single most complete cultural venue complex on the island.

The Principles at the Heart of Kū Mai Ka Hula

History and Legacy

Kū Mai Ka Hula was founded and is presented by Kauahea, Inc. — a Maui-based nonprofit dedicated to perpetuating Hawaiian culture through hula education, performance, and competition:

• The competition launched in 2007 and has run annually ever since, with exceptions during the COVID-19 pandemic years when it moved to a virtual format before returning to in-person competition in September 2022
• The 2022 return (15th annual) was described as "a joyful in-person performance" after two years of virtual events — capturing the specific relief and celebration the live competition format brings to both performers and audience
• The 2025 edition was the 18th annual, making 2026 the 19th annual edition
• The competition is presented by the County of Maui and the County of Maui Office of Economic Development — confirming its status as an officially supported civic cultural event
• For competition participation inquiries: kumaikahula.maui@gmail.com
• Official hashtag: #kumaikahula

Everything You Need Before September 11

Practical Information for Attendees

Getting to the MACC Castle Theater is straightforward, with several options:

• Address: Maui Arts and Cultural Center, 1 Cameron Way, Kahului, Maui, HI 96732
• From Kahului Airport (OGG): Approximately 10 minutes by car — the MACC is one of the most accessible event venues on Maui
• From Kāʻanapali Beach: Approximately 40 minutes east via the Honoapiʻilani Highway
• From Wailea: Approximately 35 minutes north via Piilani Highway
• Free parking available in the MACC surface lots on competition days

Competition etiquette is important for a respectful experience:

• Photography and video are permitted during the competition for personal use — no flash photography and no tripods
• Please remain seated during performances to avoid blocking the view of audience members behind you
• Post to social media using #kumaikahula
• The competition is a formal cultural event — arrive on time and treat the performances with the same respect you would any sacred cultural practice

Ticket purchase details are as follows:

• Tickets available at mauiarts.org — purchase both days together for the discounted adult rate
• Based on 2025 pricing: $38 adults per day / $21 children 12 and under / $35 per day for two-day adult combo
• The Castle Theater sells out for Kū Mai Ka Hula — purchase tickets well in advance of September 11

Frequently Asked Questions

The Things People Always Want to Know

When is Kū Mai Ka Hula 2026?

The 19th Annual Kū Mai Ka Hula competition runs on Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12, 2026 at the Castle Theater, Maui Arts and Cultural Center, Kahului, Maui.

What is Kū Mai Ka Hula?

Maui's only adult hula competition — featuring hālau from Hawaii, Japan, and the continental United States competing in both hula kahiko (ancient) and hula ʻauana (modern) in Kāne and Wahine divisions, judged by renowned Kumu Hula from throughout Hawaii.

Where is Kū Mai Ka Hula held?

At the Castle Theater, Maui Arts and Cultural Center, 1 Cameron Way, Kahului, Maui, HI 96732.

How much are Kū Mai Ka Hula tickets?

Based on 2025 pricing: $38 adults per day / $21 children 12 and under / $35 per day for two-day adult combo. Buy at mauiarts.org.

Who organises Kū Mai Ka Hula?

Kauahea, Inc. — presented by the County of Maui and the County of Maui Office of Economic Development. Competition inquiries: kumaikahula.maui@gmail.com.

Can I take photos at Kū Mai Ka Hula?

Yes — personal photography and video are welcome. No flash, no tripods, remain seated during performances.

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event: 19th Annual Kū Mai Ka Hula 2026
• Category: Adult hula competition — Maui's only adult hula competition
• Dates: Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12, 2026
• Venue: Castle Theater, Maui Arts and Cultural Center, 1 Cameron Way, Kahului, Maui, HI 96732
• Tickets (2025 pricing reference): $38 adult/day; $21 children 12 and under/day; $35 adult/day for two-day combo
• Ticket purchase: mauiarts.org
• Competition format: Two days; Kāne and Wahine divisions; hula kahiko and hula ʻauana
• Competing hālau: Hawaii, Japan, continental United States
• Judges: Renowned Kumu Hula from throughout Hawaii
• Organiser: Kauahea, Inc.
• Presented by: County of Maui / County of Maui Office of Economic Development
• Contact: kumaikahula.maui@gmail.com
• Social hashtag: #kumaikahula
• Nearest airport: Kahului Airport (OGG) — approximately 10 minutes
• Same-weekend events: Aloha Friday at QKC (Sept 11), Lights for Lahaina Day 1 (Sept 11), Lights for Lahaina Light March (Sept 12)

```

There is a sound that belongs entirely to Hawaii. It rises above the range of conventional singing, floats between notes that no formal scale fully captures, and carries within it the weight of generations of Hawaiian musical memory. It is the leo kiʻekiʻe — the falsetto voice — and every September on Maui, one extraordinary evening at the Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua reminds the world exactly what it sounds like when that tradition is honored at its highest level. The 24th Annual Richard Hoʻopiʻi Leo Kiʻekiʻe Falsetto Contest 2026 is expected in September 2026 — following the precise annual pattern that has made this event one of the most respected and most beloved evenings in the entire Festivals of Aloha calendar.

"In 2016, UNESCO declared merengue an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, formally recognising what Dominican people had known for generations."

Who Was Uncle Richard Hoʻopiʻi?

The Legacy of a Hawaiian Falsetto Legend

The contest bears the name of one of the most decorated figures in the history of Hawaiian music. Uncle Richard Hoʻopiʻi was a Hawaiian falsetto legend and co-founder of The Hoʻopiʻi Brothers — a musical duo whose contributions to Hawaiian music span decades and whose legacy is honored through some of the most prestigious awards in the art form:

• Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner — Hawaii's equivalent of the Grammy Awards, the highest honor in Hawaiian music
• Nā Hōkū Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award co-recipient
• National Endowment of the Arts Folk Heritage Fellowship co-recipient — a federal recognition of his role in preserving a living American cultural tradition
• Grammy Award co-recipient
• Founder of the Richard Hoʻopiʻi Leo Kiʻekiʻe Contest itself — making the competition a direct continuation of his vision for Hawaiian falsetto's future

Uncle Richard did not simply perform Hawaiian falsetto. He built the infrastructure that would carry it forward after him. The contest that bears his name is the clearest expression of that commitment.

The 2026 Contest: What Is Confirmed

Anticipating the Next Chapter of a Musical Tradition

The 24th Annual Richard Hoʻopiʻi Leo Kiʻekiʻe Falsetto Contest 2026 is expected on Saturday, September 19, 2026 — following the established annual pattern of the third Saturday of September:

• 2025 (23rd Annual): Saturday, September 20, 2025 at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
• 2026 (24th Annual): Expected Saturday, September 19, 2026 at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
• Start time: 6:00 PM (doors open; contest begins promptly)
• Venue: The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, One Ritz-Carlton Drive, Lahaina, HI 96761
• Organiser: Festivals of Aloha, directed by Daryl Fujiwara
• Official website: festivalsofaloha.com
• Contact: sfdhawaii@gmail.com / 808-264-8779

Admission pricing and the official 2026 date will be confirmed by Festivals of Aloha closer to the September window. Follow @FOAMauiNui on Instagram and facebook.com/FestivalsOfAloha for the announcement.

What the Hawaiian Falsetto Is

The Unique Sound of Leo Kiʻekiʻe

Understanding what makes the Richard Hoʻopiʻi Falsetto Contest so significant requires understanding what leo kiʻekiʻe (Hawaiian falsetto) actually is:

• Leo kiʻekiʻe literally translates as "the high voice" — the register above a singer's natural chest voice, accessed through a specific vocal technique that creates a pure, floating tone
• Hawaiian falsetto is distinct from Western operatic or pop falsetto — it carries a specific stylistic quality rooted in the melodic and linguistic patterns of Hawaiian mele (song) and shaped by the phonetic beauty of the Hawaiian language
• The tradition developed through the 19th and 20th centuries as Hawaiian musicians absorbed influences from Mexican and Portuguese cowboy music brought to the islands — the falsetto yodel common in those traditions merged with Hawaiian melody and language to create something entirely new
• Contestants are judged on voice quality, technique, Hawaiian language pronunciation, and overall performance in honoring the legacy of Hawaiian mele
• Every performance is an act of cultural perpetuation — not just a vocal display but a delivery of Hawaiian words, Hawaiian stories, and Hawaiian musical memory

The 23rd Annual Contest (2025): The Template for 2026

Learning from the Past to Shape the Future

The 2025 edition at the Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua is the most recent completed contest and the clearest guide to what the 2026 evening will deliver:

• 2025 champion: Koakāne Mattos of Makawao, Maui — a contestant who had entered multiple previous years, absorbed judges' feedback each time, and returned in 2025 to deliver a performance described as genuinely transformed
• First place prize package included:
• Two roundtrip airline tickets from Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines
• A premium-grade Kanileʻa Koa tenor ukulele with case valued at $2,800
• The Hawaiian Language Award from the Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua: a deluxe two-night ocean-view stay with breakfast at Ulana Terrace — a $5,350 value
• The Sheldon Keahiawakea Brown Music Award
• Second place: Royden Kahaʻi Sato Jr. of Wailuku — $400 cash, commemorative umeke, and gifts from Manaola Hawaii
• Third place: Itsuki Ezawa of Chiba, Japan — $200, commemorative umeke, and gifts from Manaola Hawaii
• Head judge: Cody Pueo Pata
• ʻŌlelo (language) judges: Kīʻope Raymond and Kuʻulei Alcomindras
• Music judges: Ikaika Blackburn and Kamaka Kukona Palakiko

The fact that the 2025 third-place winner traveled from Chiba, Japan confirms something important: the international reach of this competition is real. Hawaiian falsetto has one of its most passionate practitioner communities outside Hawaii in Japan, and the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua ballroom is where that international dedication meets the source tradition.

Past Champions: A Roll Call of Hawaiian Voices

The Voices that Define a Tradition

The contest's champion list reads like a map of contemporary Hawaiian musical talent:

• 2024: Antonio Robles, Wailuku, Maui
• 2023: Liam Moleta, Honolulu, Oʻahu
• 2022: Heuaʻolu Sai-Dudiot, Hilo, Hawaiʻi
• 2021: Kamaehu Kawaʻa, Waiehu, Maui
• 2020: Contest not held (COVID-19)
• 2019: Ikaika Mendez, Ulupakakua, Maui
• 2018: Kaulike Pescaia, Kihei, Maui
• 2017: Kason Gomes, Wailuku, Maui
• 2016: Gregory Kahikina Juan, Wailuku

Maui's dominance in the champion list reflects the island's extraordinary depth of Hawaiian musical culture — a living tradition carried forward by families, hālau, and community musicians across upcountry, West Maui, and the central valley.

The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua: An Extraordinary Setting

Where Tradition Meets Luxury

The contest's home venue, The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, is one of the most beautiful resort properties in all of Hawaii — positioned on the cliffs of northwest West Maui above Kapalua Bay, with sweeping views of the Pailolo Channel and the island of Molokaʻi on the horizon:

• The contest is held in the Ritz-Carlton ballroom — a formal, fully appointed event space that elevates the contest's atmosphere to match the cultural significance of what is being performed
• Kapalua is approximately 15 minutes north of Kāʻanapali Beach along the Honoaʻpiʻilani Highway — the most scenic stretch of West Maui's coastal road
• The Hawaiian Language Award prize — a two-night ocean-view stay with breakfast at the Ritz-Carlton's Ulana Terrace — is awarded specifically by the Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua as a partner recognition of the winner's Hawaiian language excellence

The setting — a formal ballroom at a luxury cliff-top resort on the northwest tip of Maui — gives the Richard Hoʻopiʻi contest a gravitas and beauty that perfectly matches the art form it celebrates.

The Carmen "Hulu" Lindsey Leo Haʻihaʻi Falsetto Contest: The Partner Event

Celebrating Female Voices in Falsetto

The Richard Hoʻopiʻi Falsetto Contest sits within a broader Festivals of Aloha falsetto programme that now includes a second prestigious competition:

• The Carmen "Hulu" Lindsey Leo Haʻihaʻi Falsetto Contest — the female falsetto counterpart to the Richard Hoʻopiʻi contest — was established in 2022 as the first dedicated female falsetto competition in Hawaii
• The 2025 (4th Annual) Carmen Hulu Lindsey contest was held on Friday, October 24, 2025 at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea — doors at 5:30 PM, contest at 6:00 PM, free admission
• The 2026 (5th Annual) Carmen Hulu Lindsey contest is expected in October 2026 at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea; exact date TBA
• The 2025 Carmen Hulu Lindsey champion was Leimana Purdy — who performed at the May 2026 Wailuku First Friday Lei Day edition confirming the champion's continued community presence
• Applications for both contests are managed through festivalsofaloha.com — spaces are limited and early applications are strongly encouraged

Together, the Richard Hoʻopiʻi and Carmen Hulu Lindsey contests form the most complete championship platform for Hawaiian falsetto singing available anywhere in the world.

How to Enter the 2026 Contest

Becoming Part of a Musical Tradition

For aspiring falsetto singers, the Richard Hoʻopiʻi Leo Kiʻekiʻe Falsetto Contest is the premier competitive platform in Hawaiian music:

• The contest is open to amateur falsetto singers from across Hawaii and beyond
• Contestants are judged on voice quality, technique, Hawaiian language pronunciation, and overall performance
• Applications open approximately 6 to 8 weeks before the September contest date — typically announced in July
• Apply at festivalsofaloha.com — spaces are limited and early applications are strongly encouraged
• For entry inquiries: sfdhawaii@gmail.com
• Koakāne Mattos's 2025 championship stands as a reminder that persistence matters — he entered multiple years before winning, using each year's judges' feedback as a development tool

The September Maui Cultural Calendar Context

A Month Rich in Cultural Experiences

The expected September 19, 2026 date for the Richard Hoʻopiʻi contest places it within the richest stretch of Maui's cultural calendar:

• September 4 — Wailuku First Friday, Market Street, Wailuku (free)
• September 7 — Hāna Buddhist Temple closes the Maui Obon Bon Dance season
• September 11 and 12 — Kū Mai Ka Hula competition at Castle Theater, MACC / Lights for Lahaina / Aloha Friday at QKC
• September 19 — Richard Hoʻopiʻi Leo Kiʻekiʻe Falsetto Contest, Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
• October 2026 — Carmen Hulu Lindsey Leo Haʻihaʻi Falsetto Contest, Four Seasons Maui, Wailea

A visitor staying on Maui across September 2026 could experience one of the deepest and most culturally authentic single-month Hawaii experiences available anywhere on the island calendar.

Practical Information for the Richard Hoʻopiʻi Falsetto Contest 2026

Getting to the Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua

• Address: One Ritz-Carlton Drive, Lahaina (Kapalua), HI 96761
• From Kahului Airport (OGG): Approximately 50 to 60 minutes west and north via the Honoapiʻilani Highway — the full scenic West Maui coastal drive
• From Kāʻanapali Beach: Approximately 15 minutes north along the Honoapiʻilani Highway
• From Wailea: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes north and west

Tickets and Admission

Securing Your Place at the Contest

• Admission pricing for the 2026 contest will be announced by Festivals of Aloha — check festivalsofaloha.com for release
• Past editions have been modestly priced ticketed events; the exact 2026 pricing is TBA
• Tickets have sold out in past years — purchase as soon as they are released

Where to Stay Near Kapalua

Accommodation Options for Contest Attendees

• The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua — attending the contest as a resort guest is the most seamlessly luxurious approach; the Ritz-Carlton Hawaiian Language Award gives the 2026 winner a two-night stay
• Kapalua Villas Maui — condominium-style resort accommodation within the Kapalua resort grounds
• Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa at Kāʻanapali Black Rock — 15 minutes south, full resort infrastructure with easy drive up to Kapalua on the contest evening

Frequently Asked Questions

The Things People Always Want to Know

When is the Richard Hoʻopiʻi Leo Kiʻekiʻe Falsetto Contest 2026?

The 24th Annual Richard Hoʻopiʻi Leo Kiʻekiʻe Falsetto Contest is expected on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua — based on the consistent annual third-Saturday-of-September pattern; exact date TBA via festivalsofaloha.com.

Where is the Richard Hoʻopiʻi Falsetto Contest held?

At The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, One Ritz-Carlton Drive, Lahaina, HI 96761 — the ballroom venue that has hosted the contest for multiple consecutive years.

What is Hawaiian falsetto (leo kiʻekiʻe)?

The high vocal register used in Hawaiian traditional music — a distinctly Hawaiian art form combining voice quality, Hawaiian language precision, and musical expression rooted in the mele (songs) of the Hawaiian tradition.

Who can enter the Richard Hoʻopiʻi Falsetto Contest?

Amateur falsetto singers from across Hawaii and internationally — apply at festivalsofaloha.com when applications open, typically in July.

Who won the 2025 Richard Hoʻopiʻi Falsetto Contest?

Koakāne Mattos of Makawao, Maui — winning a prize package including airline tickets, a Kanileʻa Koa tenor ukulele valued at $2,800, and a Ritz-Carlton two-night ocean-view stay valued at $5,350.

What is the Carmen Hulu Lindsey Leo Haʻihaʻi Falsetto Contest?

The female falsetto counterpart to the Richard Hoʻopiʻi contest — the first dedicated female falsetto competition in Hawaii, held annually in October at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, also organised by Festivals of Aloha.

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event: 24th Annual Richard Hoʻopiʻi Leo Kiʻekiʻe Falsetto Contest 2026
• Category: Hawaiian falsetto singing competition
• Expected date: Saturday, September 19, 2026 (exact date TBA; confirm at festivalsofaloha.com)
• Expected start time: 6:00 PM
• Venue: The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, One Ritz-Carlton Drive, Lahaina, HI 96761
• Organiser: Festivals of Aloha, directed by Daryl Fujiwara
• 2025 champion: Koakāne Mattos, Makawao, Maui
• Judging criteria: Voice quality, technique, Hawaiian language pronunciation, overall performance
• Open to: Amateur falsetto singers from Hawaii and internationally
• Prize highlights (2025 reference): Airline tickets, Kanileʻa Koa ukulele ($2,800 value), Ritz-Carlton two-night stay ($5,350 value), cash, awards
• Partner event: Carmen "Hulu" Lindsey Leo Haʻihaʻi Falsetto Contest — expected October 2026, Four Seasons Maui at Wailea
• Contact: sfdhawaii@gmail.com / 808-264-8779
• Official website: festivalsofaloha.com
• Social: @FOAMauiNui on Instagram / facebook.com/FestivalsOfAloha
• Nearest airport: Kahului Airport (OGG) — approximately 50 to 60 minutes

```

Nearly a century of tradition. That is what the 99th Annual Maui County Fair represents when it opens its gates on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at the War Memorial Special Events Complex in Wailuku, Maui. Announced officially by Mayor Richard Bissen on April 22, 2026, this four-day celebration of local culture, community spirit, carnival rides, food, and island pride runs through Sunday, October 4, 2026 — and it is the single most anticipated community event on Maui's autumn calendar.

Just one year away from its centennial edition, the 99th Maui County Fair is not simply a fair. It is the living proof that some traditions are too deeply loved to disappear.

"The return of the Maui County Fair brings back a tradition our community really values."

The 2026 Fair: What Is Officially Confirmed

Key Details for the Upcoming Edition

Mayor Bissen's April 22, 2026 announcement confirmed every key detail for the upcoming edition:

• Dates: Thursday, October 1 to Sunday, October 4, 2026
• Venue: War Memorial Special Events Complex, Wailuku, Maui, HI 96793
• Opening: October 1 at 4:30 PM
• Closing: October 4 at 11:00 PM HST
• Edition: 99th Annual — one year before the centennial
• Fair Director: Daryl Fujiwara of Festivals of Aloha — returning for the second consecutive year after leading the 2025 comeback edition
• County funding: Mayor Bissen proposed $1.5 million in county appropriation to support the 2026 fair
• Official website: themauifair.com

A Fair That Has Been Part of Maui Since 1927

Historical Significance and Resilience

The Maui County Fair has been running since 1927 — making it one of the longest continuously running community fairs in the entire State of Hawaii. Nearly every Maui family has a story attached to it. Grandparents who won goldfish in booths that no longer exist. Teenagers who rode the Ferris wheel with friends who are now their spouses. Children who tasted their first malasada at 9 o'clock on a Saturday morning.

"The fair's return in 2025 was described as the 'successful comeback of the beloved fair' by Mayor Bissen."

The fair went through a painful hiatus following the August 2023 Lahaina wildfires and the disruption they caused to the entire Maui community's civic and social life. Its return in 2025 — the 98th Annual — was not just an event. It was a statement about Maui's resilience.

What the Maui County Fair Includes

A Full Four-Day Programme

The Maui County Fair is a full four-day programme of food, entertainment, competitions, exhibits, and carnival infrastructure:

• Carnival Rides and Midway: A full carnival midway with rides for all ages — from family-friendly attractions to thrill rides for teenagers and adults
• Food: Nonprofit food vendor booths serving the dishes that Maui families have grown up eating — plate lunches, malasadas, shave ice, saimin, chili rice, and rotating specialties from community organisations across the island
• Horticulture and Agriculture Exhibits: Locally grown flowers, plants, and produce judged and displayed across the fair grounds
• Entertainment Stage: Hawaiian music and hula, local bands and performers, keiki (children's) entertainment

The Food: The Heart of the Fair

Supporting Local Nonprofit Organisations

The Maui County Fair's food programme is specifically designed to support local nonprofit organisations — vendor spaces are allocated through a competitive application process that prioritises community service and menu quality:

• Nonprofit food vendor booths serving traditional Maui dishes
• Products and Services Exhibit — preference given to Maui-based businesses and Maui-made products
• Food vendor applications were due May 15, 2026; vendor selection notifications were issued May 30; payment deadline was June 15
• The food vendor structure means that attending the fair and eating at its booths is a direct act of community support — every plate lunch purchase supports a Maui nonprofit

Fun Factory Day: Free Sunday Admission

A Beloved Tradition

One of the most loved traditions of the Maui County Fair is Fun Factory Day on the closing Sunday:

• The first 2,000 attendees on Sunday, October 4 receive free admission to the fair — compliments of Fun Factory at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center and Maui Mall
• This makes Sunday morning the single most energetic and most accessible entry point for families and budget-conscious visitors
• Arriving at opening time on Sunday morning is the best strategy for securing one of the 2,000 free admission entries

The War Memorial Special Events Complex: Wailuku's Festival Ground

Home of the Maui County Fair

The War Memorial Special Events Complex at 700 Halia Nakoa Street, Wailuku has been the permanent home of the Maui County Fair for decades — a large, flat, open events complex in central Wailuku with the capacity to hold the full fair infrastructure of carnival rides, food vendor rows, exhibit tents, entertainment stage, and the horticulture pavilion:

• Located in the heart of Wailuku — Maui's county seat, just 10 to 15 minutes from Kahului Airport
• Adjacent to the War Memorial Stadium and Complex — the broader athletic and civic space that anchors the central Wailuku neighbourhood
• Historic Wailuku Town's Market Street is approximately 10 minutes walk from the fair grounds — the home of Wailuku First Friday — giving visitors the option of combining a fair afternoon with an evening in the historic town centre
• Queen Kaʻahumanu Center is approximately 10 minutes by car — Maui's largest mall and the home of Aloha Friday cultural events

The 99th Year: One Year From a Century

A Living Chain of Community Memory

The significance of the 2026 edition extends beyond any single programme element. This is the 99th Annual Maui County Fair — the edition that stands directly before the centennial.

That context shapes everything about October 1 to 4, 2026 at War Memorial. The 99th fair will be attended by people whose grandparents attended the 50th, whose parents attended the 75th, and whose children may attend the 125th. It is a living chain of community memory that very few events in the State of Hawaii can match.

"After everything the Maui community has navigated since August 2023, the fair's return is not just a celebration. It is a declaration."

The October 2026 Maui Context

A Broader Events Window

The Maui County Fair runs October 1 to 4 — placing it within a broader October Maui events window:

• Carmen "Hulu" Lindsey Leo Haʻihaʻi Falsetto Contest — expected October 2026 at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
• Wailuku First Friday — October 2, 2026, Market Street, Wailuku (free) — running simultaneously with the fair on Friday October 2; the fair closes at 9:00 PM on Friday, making a Market Street first Friday stop either before or after the fair grounds genuinely feasible

A visitor on Maui the first week of October 2026 could experience all three — the fair's Thursday opening night on October 1, Wailuku First Friday on October 2 (possibly combining both in one evening), and the Carmen Hulu Lindsey Falsetto Contest at the Four Seasons Wailea later in the month.

Practical Information for the Maui County Fair 2026

Fair Hours (Based on 2025 Schedule Pattern)

• Thursday, October 1: 4:30 PM to 11:00 PM (opening night)
• Friday, October 2: Expected 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• Saturday, October 3: Expected 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM; Discount Ride Hours 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Sunday, October 4: Expected 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM; Fun Factory Day — first 2,000 free admission

Confirm final 2026 hours at themauifair.com/schedule as the October dates approach.

Getting to War Memorial Complex

Directions and Parking

• From Kahului Airport (OGG): Approximately 10 to 15 minutes by car via Kaʻahumanu Avenue into central Wailuku
• From Kāʻanapali Beach: Approximately 40 minutes east via the Honoapiʻilani Highway
• From Wailea: Approximately 35 to 40 minutes north via Piilani Highway

Parking

• Surface parking available at and around the War Memorial Complex; arrive early on Saturday and Sunday when the fairgrounds are at their busiest
• Additional parking available at nearby War Memorial Stadium lots and along Halia Nakoa Street

Tickets and Admission

Pricing and Access

• Admission pricing for the 2026 fair had not been officially announced at time of writing
• The 2025 (98th Annual) fair set the pricing benchmark; check themauifair.com for 2026 ticket release
• Fun Factory Day (Sunday October 4): First 2,000 attendees receive free admission

Vendor and Sponsorship Information

Opportunities and Deadlines

• Vendor applications closed May 15, 2026
• Sponsorship opportunities available at themauifair.com/sponsorship
• Food vendor selection notifications issued May 30; Products and Services exhibitor notifications June 1

Frequently Asked Questions

The Things People Always Want to Know

When is the Maui County Fair 2026?

The 99th Annual Maui County Fair runs from Thursday, October 1 to Sunday, October 4, 2026 at War Memorial Special Events Complex, Wailuku, Maui.

Where is the Maui County Fair 2026 held?

At the War Memorial Special Events Complex, 700 Halia Nakoa Street, Wailuku, Maui, HI 96793 — approximately 10 to 15 minutes from Kahului Airport.

Is there free admission to the Maui County Fair?

The first 2,000 attendees on Sunday, October 4 receive free admission on Fun Factory Day, compliments of Fun Factory at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center and Maui Mall.

Who is running the Maui County Fair 2026?

Daryl Fujiwara of Festivals of Aloha — returning as fair director for the second consecutive year after leading the 2025 comeback edition.

How much county funding supports the Maui County Fair 2026?

Mayor Bissen proposed $1.5 million in county appropriation to support the 2026 fair.

What is the significance of the 99th Annual Maui County Fair?

It is the edition immediately preceding the centennial (100th Annual) Maui County Fair — making 2026 a historically significant year for one of Hawaii's longest continuously running community fair traditions, established in 1927.

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event: 99th Annual Maui County Fair 2026
• Category: Annual community fair
• Dates: Thursday, October 1 to Sunday, October 4, 2026
• Opening: October 1 at 4:30 PM HST
• Closing: October 4 at 11:00 PM HST
• Venue: War Memorial Special Events Complex, 700 Halia Nakoa Street, Wailuku, Maui, HI 96793
• Edition: 99th Annual (established 1927)
• Fair Director: Daryl Fujiwara, Festivals of Aloha
• County support: $1.5 million proposed by Mayor Richard Bissen
• Programme: Carnival rides, food vendors (nonprofit organisations), horticulture exhibits, products and services exhibit, entertainment stage, live Hawaiian music, keiki entertainment
• Fun Factory Day: Sunday October 4 — first 2,000 attendees free
• Discount Ride Hours: Saturday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Official website: themauifair.com
• Nearest airport: Kahului Airport (OGG) — approximately 10 to 15 minutes
• Same-week companion event: Wailuku First Friday — October 2, Market Street, Wailuku (free)

```

The Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival Maui 2026 arrives in Kāʻanapali from Friday, 23 October through Sunday, 25 October 2026. The festival’s Maui weekend features the 28th Annual Roy Yamaguchi Golf Classic, a Saturday evening tasting at Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, and a Sunday brunch at Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows.

For visitors, this is an opportunity to experience West Maui through the talents of Hawaiʻi’s chefs, farmers, fishers, ranchers, mixologists, and hospitality community. Set against the oceanfront scenery of Kāʻanapali, the festival combines premium food and beverage experiences with local ingredients, cultural connection, and the warm gathering spirit that makes Maui dining memorable.

"The festival combines premium food and beverage experiences with local ingredients, cultural connection, and the warm gathering spirit that makes Maui dining memorable."

The Story of Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival

Maui's Culinary Showcase

The 16th Annual Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival runs across three islands from Friday, 16 October through Sunday, 8 November 2026. Maui hosts the middle weekend, from Friday, 23 October to Sunday, 25 October 2026.

The confirmed Maui schedule includes:

• Friday, 23 October 2026: 28th Annual Roy Yamaguchi Golf Classic Presented by First Hawaiian Bank
• Saturday, 24 October 2026: Caviar, Pearls & Aphrodisiacs
• Sunday, 25 October 2026: No EGGScuses, Let’s Brunch!

The festival begins on Hawaiʻi Island from 16 to 17 October 2026, continues in Kāʻanapali, Maui from 23 to 25 October 2026, and closes on Oʻahu from 5 to 8 November 2026. Tickets are on sale now, though individual event availability and pricing can change. hawaiifoodandwinefestival

What to Expect at the Festival

A Celebration of Island Flavors

Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival is a multi-island culinary event that brings together chefs, winemakers, farmers, fishers, ranchers, producers, and cocktail professionals. The 2026 program marks the festival’s sixteenth annual edition.

The festival is known for highlighting Hawaiʻi-grown ingredients and the people behind them. Rather than treating food as a stand-alone luxury experience, it connects dining with agriculture, ocean stewardship, hospitality, and the diverse cultural influences that shape food across the islands.

"The festival connects dining with agriculture, ocean stewardship, hospitality, and the diverse cultural influences that shape food across the islands."

Festival programming often celebrates:

• Hawaiʻi-grown produce
• Fresh seafood and responsibly sourced fish
• Ranching and local proteins
• Coffee, cacao, and tropical fruit
• Contemporary Hawaiian cuisine
• Japanese, Filipino, Chinese, Portuguese, and Pacific influences
• Craft cocktails and premium spirits
• Wine and beverage pairings
• Chef collaboration
• Community-focused fundraising and education

Into the Events: Day by Day

Experience Maui's Culinary Highlights

The Maui program opens on Friday, 23 October 2026 with the 28th Annual Roy Yamaguchi Golf Classic Presented by First Hawaiian Bank. The event takes place at Kāʻanapali Golf Course, with registration at 10:00 a.m. and a shotgun start at 11:30 a.m.

Golf participants should confirm:

• Tournament entry price
• Registration inclusions
• Golf-club rental availability
• Dress requirements
• Transportation and parking
• Food and beverage inclusions
• Award or post-golf reception details
• Charity beneficiaries
• Rain and cancellation policies

The main Saturday night event, Caviar, Pearls & Aphrodisiacs, takes place from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, 24 October 2026 at Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa in Kāʻanapali.

The exact 2026 chef roster, menu, beverage partners, dress guidance, and ticket price should be reviewed through the official event listing. Based on its title and festival format, guests can expect a premium evening built around chef-led dishes, wine, cocktails, seafood-forward flavors, and special tasting stations.

The Maui weekend finishes with No EGGScuses, Let’s Brunch! on Sunday, 25 October 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows.

Why Kāʻanapali is the Perfect Festival Setting

From Beaches to Black Rock

Kāʻanapali is one of Maui’s most recognizable oceanfront resort areas. The setting combines long sandy beaches, West Maui mountain views, resort dining, and access to historic Lahaina-area communities.

During the festival weekend of 23 to 25 October 2026, guests can move easily between food events and classic Maui experiences.

Nearby highlights include:

• Kāʻanapali Beach: A long beach ideal for swimming, walking, and sunset views.
• Puʻu Kekaʻa, or Black Rock: A well-known lava-rock point at the north end of Kāʻanapali Beach.
• Whalers Village: Beachfront shopping, restaurants, and cultural programming.
• Kāʻanapali Golf Courses: Host site for the Roy Yamaguchi Golf Classic.
• Honokōwai Beach Park: A casual nearby beach and picnic stop.
• Napili Bay: A beautiful bay north of Kāʻanapali.
• Kapalua: Known for coastal trails, resort dining, and dramatic shoreline scenery.
• Lahaina: Visitors should check current access, reopening information, and respectful-travel guidance before visiting because of continuing recovery following the 2023 wildfire.

Island Ingredients and Hawaiʻi’s Food Culture

The Flavors of Maui

Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival is an ideal setting for understanding why Maui cuisine feels so layered and place-specific. The island’s food culture is shaped by Native Hawaiian traditions and by the communities that arrived through migration, agriculture, and plantation-era history.

Ingredients you may encounter include:

• Fresh ahi and other local fish
• Maui onions
• Kula vegetables
• Upcountry herbs
• Tropical fruit
• Hawaiʻi-grown cacao
• Macadamia nuts
• Local honey
• Taro
• Breadfruit
• Sweet potato
• Pork and beef from Hawaiʻi ranches
• Coffee
• Lilikoi, or passion fruit
• Coconut
• Ginger and turmeric

You may also taste familiar local dishes reimagined by chefs, including poke, laulau-inspired preparations, smoked fish, grilled meats, noodle dishes, tropical fruit desserts, and Asian-Pacific flavors.

Practical Information for Your Visit

Plan Your Festival Weekend

October is a popular time to visit Maui. Expect warm weather, strong sunshine, and occasional trade-wind showers. Book rooms, rental cars, and event tickets early.

Where to Stay:

• Kāʻanapali: Best for walking access to the festival’s venues.
• Honokōwai: Best for nearby condos, markets, and casual dining.
• Napili: Best for a quieter beach feel north of Kāʻanapali.
• Kapalua: Best for luxury stays, golf, and coastal scenery.
• Kihei or Wailea: Best for South Maui, but farther from festival events.
• Wailuku or Kahului: Best for airport convenience and Central Maui access, though driving to West Maui is required.

One official festival travel partner listed rooms starting at $275 per night, before taxes and fees, with complimentary self-parking and waived resort fees for travel dates from 16 October to 8 November 2026. Availability is limited, and guests must book by 9 October 2026, subject to availability. hawaiifoodandwinefestival

Frequently Asked Questions

The Things People Always Want to Know

When is Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival Maui 2026?

The Maui portion of the 16th Annual Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival takes place in Kāʻanapali from Friday, 23 October through Sunday, 25 October 2026.

Where is Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival held on Maui?

The three confirmed Maui venues are Kāʻanapali Golf Course, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, and Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows in Kāʻanapali, West Maui.

What happens on Friday, 23 October 2026?

The 28th Annual Roy Yamaguchi Golf Classic Presented by First Hawaiian Bank takes place at Kāʻanapali Golf Course, with registration at 10:00 a.m. and a shotgun start at 11:30 a.m.

What is the Saturday Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival Maui event?

Caviar, Pearls & Aphrodisiacs is scheduled for Saturday, 24 October 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa.

What is the Sunday Maui festival event?

No EGGScuses, Let’s Brunch! is scheduled for Sunday, 25 October 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows.

How much are Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival Maui tickets?

Tickets are on sale, but verified individual 2026 prices for the three Maui events were not available in the published schedule results. Confirm current pricing and inclusions through the official festival ticket page.

Is the Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival only on Maui?

No. The 2026 festival begins on Hawaiʻi Island on 16 and 17 October, continues on Maui from 23 to 25 October, then concludes on Oʻahu from 5 to 8 November 2026.

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event Name: Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival
• Edition: 16th Annual Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival
• Event Category: Culinary, wine, spirits, golf, agriculture, and hospitality festival
• Maui Dates: Friday, 23 October to Sunday, 25 October 2026
• Maui Location: Kāʻanapali, West Maui, Hawaiʻi
• Friday, 23 October Event: 28th Annual Roy Yamaguchi Golf Classic Presented by First Hawaiian Bank
• Friday Venue: Kāʻanapali Golf Course
• Friday Schedule: Registration at 10:00 a.m.; shotgun start at 11:30 a.m.
• Saturday, 24 October Event: Caviar, Pearls & Aphrodisiacs
• Saturday Venue: Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa
• Saturday Hours: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Sunday, 25 October Event: No EGGScuses, Let’s Brunch!
• Sunday Venue: Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows
• Sunday Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Ticket Availability: On sale now
• Verified Individual Event Prices: Confirm directly with the official festival ticket page
• Festival-wide Dates: Hawaiʻi Island, 16 to 17 October; Maui, 23 to 25 October; Oʻahu, 5 to 8 November 2026
• Best for: Food lovers, wine enthusiasts, golfers, couples, culinary travelers, and visitors seeking a premium West Maui island experience

Reserve your Maui weekend for 23 to 25 October 2026, gather in Kāʻanapali for chef-driven island flavors, and raise a glass to the growers, fishers, and makers whose work gives Hawaiʻi’s food culture its unmistakable sense of place.

```

Holo Holo Halloween 2026 brings a safe, cheerful, and family-focused Halloween celebration to Maui on Saturday, 31 October 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center in Kahului. Keiki can dress up, visit participating shops for treats, join the costume contest, and enjoy a lively community evening at Central Maui’s largest shopping centre.

For families visiting Maui or residents planning a fun Halloween night, Holo Holo Halloween offers a welcoming alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating. The event is designed around costumes, candy, creativity, and community connection, all in a familiar, walkable, and centrally located indoor-outdoor mall environment.

"Holo Holo Halloween is where costumes, candy, creativity, and community come together in a safe, family-friendly environment."

The Story of Holo Holo Halloween

A Maui Tradition at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center

Holo Holo Halloween is Queen Kaʻahumanu Center’s annual community Halloween celebration. It offers a safe setting for children and families to enjoy trick-or-treating while experiencing the festive spirit of Halloween on Maui.

The word holoholo describes a leisurely outing, perfectly capturing the event's spirit as families stroll through the center.

Holo Holo Halloween is centered on:

• Trick-or-treating at participating stores
• A keiki costume contest
• Free candy and treats
• Family-friendly fun
• Community gathering
• Halloween-themed prizes
• Local business participation
• A safe and weather-protected setting
• A convenient Central Maui location

What to Expect at Holo Holo Halloween

Programme and Activities

Holo Holo Halloween takes place on Saturday, 31 October 2026, which is Halloween night, at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center. The confirmed event hours are:

• Date: Saturday, 31 October 2026
• Time: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Venue: Queen Kaʻahumanu Center
• Main activity area: Center Court
• Location: Kahului, Central Maui

The event is expected to run for two hours, so families should plan to arrive close to 5:00 p.m. Children will have more time to visit participating stores, collect candy, and register for any costume contest activities.

The first 100 keiki to arrive are expected to receive a special Halloween treat.

Trick-or-Treating at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center

A Safe and Fun Experience

Trick-or-treating is the heart of Holo Holo Halloween. Participating shops throughout Queen Kaʻahumanu Center hand out candy or treats to children in costume.

The center’s layout makes it practical for families with younger children. Instead of walking long residential blocks after dark, families can move between shops, public spaces, and the Center Court activity area.

For the best trick-or-treating experience:

• Arrive shortly before 5:00 p.m.
• Bring a reusable candy bag or small Halloween bucket.
• Visit the Center Court first for current instructions.
• Look for participating-store signage.
• Supervise young children closely.
• Be patient if a popular store has a short queue.
• Thank staff members handing out treats.
• Respect stores that are not participating.
• Keep walkways open for other guests.

Keiki Costume Contest

Showcase Creativity and Fun

The Holo Holo Halloween costume contest gives children a chance to show off their creativity. In previous event information, the contest has used three age categories:

• Ages 0 to 4
• Ages 5 to 9
• Ages 10 to 13

On-site registration has been required for the contest in past editions. Families should arrive early and confirm 2026 registration times, judging criteria, contest location, and prize details at Center Court.

Popular family-friendly costume choices include:

• Friendly ghosts
• Superheroes
• Storybook characters
• Animals
• Ocean creatures
• Tropical fruit costumes
• Hawaiian-inspired characters
• Space explorers
• Classic witches and wizards
• Disney characters
• Dinosaurs
• Group or family costumes

Why Queen Kaʻahumanu Center Works for Maui Families

Convenience and Accessibility

Queen Kaʻahumanu Center is centrally located in Kahului, making it accessible for families across Maui. The mall is near the airport, Wailuku, Central Maui schools, shopping districts, and key island roads.

The confirmed address is:

Queen Kaʻahumanu Center

275 West Kaʻahumanu Avenue

Kahului, HI 96732

Benefits of the venue include:

• Easy Central Maui access
• On-site shops and services
• A familiar public setting
• Well-lit walkways
• Convenient parking
• Nearby food options
• Restrooms
• Space for costumes and strollers
• A community-oriented atmosphere

A Hawaiian Halloween With Community Spirit

Embracing Traditions and Community

Halloween is not a traditional Native Hawaiian observance, but family celebrations such as Holo Holo Halloween become part of modern Maui community life. The event reflects the island’s ability to welcome different traditions while keeping the focus on family, safety, and local connection.

Maui’s communities are diverse, shaped by Native Hawaiian culture and generations of families with Asian, Pacific Islander, Portuguese, Filipino, Japanese, Chinese, Latino, and mainland backgrounds. A community Halloween gathering can bring these families together in a casual, joyful setting.

Good community etiquette includes:

• Be courteous to staff, volunteers, and other families.
• Do not block store entrances or escalators.
• Keep children within sight.
• Use quiet voices in enclosed areas.
• Clean up wrappers and packaging.
• Ask before taking close-up photos of other children.
• Avoid culturally insensitive costumes.
• Support center merchants if you can.
• Follow any security or event-staff instructions.

Make a Full Halloween Day on Maui

Explore Central Maui Before the Event

If your family is attending Holo Holo Halloween on Saturday, 31 October 2026, build a relaxed Central Maui itinerary around the 5:00 p.m. event.

Morning: Iao Valley and Wailuku

Natural Beauty and Local Charm

Begin with Iao Valley State Monument, a beautiful green valley near Wailuku. Check reservations, access conditions, and weather before leaving, as the area can be affected by rain.

Afterwards, explore Wailuku Town for coffee, local shops, or an early lunch. It is a good way to experience historic Central Maui before heading toward Kahului.

Afternoon: Maui Tropical Plantation or Kanaha Beach

Relaxation and Scenic Views

Families can spend the afternoon at Maui Tropical Plantation in Waikapū, where tropical scenery, casual food, and open space offer a relaxed change of pace.

Alternatively, visit Kanaha Beach Park near Kahului for ocean views. Check conditions before swimming, keep an eye on keiki near the water, and remember that Halloween costumes are best saved for the evening.

Early Evening: Dinner Before Holo Holo Halloween

Fuel Up for the Festivities

Eat an early meal at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center or nearby Kahului restaurants. A meal before trick-or-treating can help children avoid filling up exclusively on sweets.

Arrive at the center before 5:00 p.m. on 31 October 2026 to find parking, organize costumes, and be ready for the first activities.

After 7:00 p.m.: Wind Down

Ending the Evening on a Relaxed Note

The event ends at 7:00 p.m. Families with young children may want to return to their hotel, sort candy, and enjoy a quiet evening.

If you plan to continue Halloween festivities elsewhere, verify age requirements, ticketing, hours, and suitability. Maui has adult-oriented Halloween events as well as family gatherings, so not every programme will be appropriate for children.

Food Options for a Pre-Trick-or-Treat Meal

Local Flavors to Start the Evening

A successful Halloween night begins with dinner. Queen Kaʻahumanu Center and the Kahului area offer convenient options for families who want to eat before the event.

Consider choosing:

• A local plate lunch
• Grilled chicken or fish
• Noodles or saimin
• Rice bowls
• Sandwiches
• Fresh fruit
• A light snack for small children
• Water or unsweetened drinks before candy begins

Travel Tips for Halloween on Maui

Preparing for a Memorable Evening

Late October is warm on Maui, but evenings can still feel breezy or bring a passing shower. Keep costumes breathable and easy to layer.

Getting to Kahului

Travel Times and Considerations

• From Kahului Airport, Queen Kaʻahumanu Center is a short drive.
• From Wailuku, the center is only a few minutes away.
• From Kihei, allow roughly 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.
• From Wailea, allow additional time beyond Kihei.
• From West Maui, travel times can be longer and vary significantly with traffic and road conditions.

Always check current road conditions before traveling. Do not rush to arrive on time, particularly if you are driving with excited children in costume.

What to Bring

Essentials for a Successful Evening

• Costume and comfortable shoes
• Reusable Halloween bag or bucket
• Water bottle
• Light jacket or sweater
• Phone and portable charger
• Small pack of wipes
• Allergy-safe snacks
• Stroller, if needed
• Any necessary medication
• A change of clothes for younger children
• Cash or card for food and shopping

Cost and Pricing

Free Entry and Additional Expenses

No admission fee has been announced for Holo Holo Halloween 2026. The event is presented as a community Halloween activity, and prior information describes it as a free evening of candy, costumes, prizes, and family fun.

There is no verified ticket price for 2026. Families should expect that:

• Entry to the Holo Holo Halloween event is free.
• Trick-or-treat candy is provided while supplies last by participating businesses.
• The first 100 keiki may receive a special treat, subject to availability.
• Costume contest participation may be free, with on-site registration expected.
• Food, drinks, shopping, and other purchases are separate costs.
• Parking policies should be checked directly with Queen Kaʻahumanu Center before arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Things People Always Want to Know

When is Holo Holo Halloween 2026 on Maui?

Holo Holo Halloween is scheduled for Saturday, 31 October 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Where is Holo Holo Halloween held?

The event takes place at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center, primarily around Center Court, at 275 West Kaʻahumanu Avenue in Kahului, Maui.

Is Holo Holo Halloween free?

Yes. The event has been described as a free community Halloween celebration. Food, drinks, and personal purchases cost extra.

Is there trick-or-treating at Holo Holo Halloween?

Yes. Participating stores throughout Queen Kaʻahumanu Center are expected to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters in costume.

Is there a costume contest for children?

Yes. A keiki costume contest is expected, with previous categories for ages 0 to 4, 5 to 9, and 10 to 13. On-site registration has been required in past event information.

What should children wear to Holo Holo Halloween?

Choose a comfortable, family-friendly costume with shoes suitable for walking. Avoid masks that limit vision, loose accessories that cause tripping, and culturally insensitive costume ideas.

What time should we arrive?

Arrive before 5:00 p.m. if possible. Early arrival gives families time to park, register for any costume contest, and be among the first 100 keiki eligible for a special treat, while supplies last.

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event Name: Holo Holo Halloween
• Also Known As: Holoholo Halloween
• Event Category: Free family Halloween, keiki trick-or-treating and costume celebration
• Confirmed Date: Saturday, 31 October 2026
• Confirmed Time: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Venue: Queen Kaʻahumanu Center
• Main Activity Location: Center Court and participating stores
• Address: 275 West Kaʻahumanu Avenue, Kahului, HI 96732
• Island: Maui, Hawaiʻi
• Admission: Free, based on current event information
• Expected Highlights: Trick-or-treating, participating-store candy, keiki costume contest, prizes, costumes, and community activities
• Special Early-Arrival Detail: First 100 keiki are expected to receive a special Halloween treat, while supplies last
• Costume Contest: Previous information lists age categories of 0 to 4, 5 to 9, and 10 to 13; confirm 2026 registration details on arrival
• Pricing: No ticket price announced; food, drinks, and shopping are separate expenses
• Best for: Families, young children, visitors seeking a safe Maui Halloween activity, and Central Maui residents

Bring your keiki to Kahului on Saturday, 31 October 2026, arrive ready for treats and creative costumes, and enjoy a bright, welcoming Halloween evening where Maui families and visitors can stroll, laugh, and celebrate together.

```

The 13th Annual Hawaiian Airlines Made in Maui County Festival returns to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului on Friday, 6 November and Saturday, 7 November 2026. This two-day celebration brings together more than 140 local makers, food producers, artists, designers, and entrepreneurs from Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi.

For visitors, the Made in Maui County Festival is one of the most rewarding places to experience island creativity in one setting. You can meet the people behind locally made food, art, jewelry, fashion, home goods, and gifts, while supporting small businesses that keep Maui County’s culture and economy moving forward.

"The Made in Maui County Festival is more than a shopping day. It is a direct connection between visitors and the makers whose work reflects the ingredients, landscapes, stories, and cultures of the islands."

The Story of the Made in Maui County Festival

Maui's Largest Products Showcase

The Made in Maui County Festival is the largest products show in Maui County. Presented by the Maui Chamber of Commerce, the event highlights locally made products from businesses based on Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi. The festival began in 2014, modeled after the Made in Hawaiʻi Festival on Oʻahu. Its first edition featured more than 130 vendors and drew over 9,400 visitors and residents. Since then, the event has grown into a major annual showcase for Maui County businesses.

You can expect:

• More than 140 product vendors
• Food trucks and restaurant vendors
• Local food samples and island treats
• Handmade art and crafts
• Jewelry and accessories
• Clothing and island fashion
• Beauty, wellness, and home products
• Gifts and collectibles
• Live music and entertainment
• Product demonstrations
• Fashion shows
• Prize giveaways
• Opportunities to meet makers directly

What to Expect at the Festival

A Celebration of Island Creativity

Every purchase at the Made in Maui County Festival has a local story behind it. You may be buying a small-batch food product made with Maui-grown ingredients, a piece of jewelry designed by an island artist, an original print inspired by Haleakalā, or a handcrafted item from Molokaʻi or Lānaʻi. The festival was created to stimulate Maui County’s economy by raising awareness and sales of products made locally. It gives emerging and established businesses access to residents, visitors, retailers, and wholesale buyers.

Shopping local can help support:

• Independent family businesses
• Artists and craftspeople
• Farmers and food producers
• Designers and makers
• Local job creation
• Cultural knowledge and creative expression
• Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi communities
• A more resilient island economy

"The event’s vendor requirements emphasize genuinely local products. In 2026, applicants must be headquartered in Maui County and meet a minimum 51 percent made-in-Hawaiʻi valuation for their products."

Friday, 6 November: Buyers’ Preview and Exclusive Shopping

An Intimate Shopping Experience

The festival opens on Friday, 6 November 2026, with the Buyers’ Preview and Exclusive Shopping Day from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. This quieter first-day session offers an opportunity for wholesale buyers, distributors, and selected public ticket holders to browse before the larger Saturday crowd arrives. Friday is especially useful for:

• Retail buyers looking for Maui County products
• Boutique owners and gift-shop curators
• Hospitality businesses seeking local goods
• Visitors who prefer a less crowded shopping experience
• Serious collectors
• Guests hoping to speak at length with makers
• Early holiday shoppers

Approved wholesale buyers receive complimentary admission to the Buyers’ Preview after online registration. A limited number of public guests can purchase Exclusive Shopping Day tickets through the MACC Box Office. The public ticket price for Friday’s 2026 Exclusive Shopping Day was not confirmed in current published information. Check the official festival website or MACC Box Office before making plans.

Saturday, 7 November: Big Festival Day

The Heart of the Festival

The main event takes place from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, 7 November 2026. Big Festival Day is when the Made in Maui County Festival feels most alive. Shoppers browse vendors across the MACC campus, food trucks serve local flavors, live entertainment adds an island soundtrack, and businesses unveil products designed for gifting, home use, travel, or everyday enjoyment.

A smart Saturday strategy:

• Arrive by 8:00 a.m. for the best parking and the broadest product selection.
• Walk the entire venue before buying larger items.
• Note booth numbers for products you want to revisit.
• Bring a reusable bag or small rolling cart, if permitted.
• Buy perishable items and food products toward the end of your visit.
• Ask vendors about shipping options for fragile or oversized purchases.
• Stay for stage entertainment and demonstrations.
• Save room for food trucks.

Discover Unique Maui County Products

Shopping Beyond the Ordinary

The most enjoyable part of the festival is discovering products you would not find in a typical souvenir shop. With more than 140 vendors expected, visitors can build a thoughtful collection of gifts and personal keepsakes. Look for:

• Maui-made chocolate and cacao products
• Coffee and tea
• Jams, jellies, and fruit spreads
• Honey and beeswax goods
• Seasonings, salts, and sauces
• Baked goods and snacks
• Macadamia products
• Locally made rum or specialty beverages, where legally available
• Handmade soap and body care
• Candles and home fragrance
• Fine art and photography
• Prints inspired by Maui landscapes
• Hawaiian-style jewelry
• Handmade earrings and bracelets
• Clothing and resort wear
• Keiki gifts
• Home decor
• Ceramics and woodwork
• Stationery and books
• Holiday gifts
• Collectibles

"A locally made item often comes with a conversation, a personal recommendation, and a direct connection to the maker."

Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi in One Festival

Celebrating the Diversity of Maui County

Despite its name, Made in Maui County Festival is not only about the island of Maui. It represents the wider county, including Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi. That broader perspective matters. Each island has its own landscape, pace, agricultural traditions, and maker community.

When speaking with vendors, ask:

• Which island is your business based on?
• What local ingredients or materials do you use?
• How did your business begin?
• Is this product seasonal?
• How should I pack or ship it?
• Is there a refill, online ordering, or future delivery option?
• What is your favorite use for this product?

Food Trucks and Island Flavors

A Culinary Journey Through Maui County

Food is a major part of the festival. Recent editions have included more than 140 local vendors and food trucks, making it easy to turn Saturday into a full culinary outing. The 2026 food-vendor list has not yet been published, but attendees can expect a broad selection of Maui County flavors.

Possible choices may include:

• Plate lunches
• Local-style barbecue
• Fresh fish dishes
• Poke
• Huli huli chicken
• Tacos and street food
• Noodles and Asian-inspired dishes
• Vegetarian meals
• Fresh fruit drinks
• Shave ice
• Coffee
• Baked goods
• Chocolate and dessert treats

"Maui food reflects Native Hawaiian traditions and the influences of generations of Japanese, Filipino, Chinese, Portuguese, Korean, Pacific Islander, and other communities."

Music, Fashion, and Demonstrations

A Stage for Creativity

The Made in Maui County Festival is a shopping event, but it is also a stage for Maui County creativity. Previous editions have included live entertainment, product demonstrations, fashion shows, and prize giveaways. The final 2026 entertainment schedule has not yet been announced. It may include:

• Hawaiian music
• Contemporary island performers
• ʻUkulele performances
• Reggae and local bands
• Fashion presentations
• Artisan demonstrations
• Cooking demonstrations
• Cultural showcases
• Prize drawings
• Keiki-friendly activities

Planning Your Kahului Visit

Getting to the Heart of Maui

The MACC is located at 1 Cameron Way in Kahului, near Kahului Harbor, the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College area, and the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s theaters and outdoor grounds. It is approximately:

• Five to ten minutes by car from Kahului Airport
• About ten minutes from Wailuku
• Roughly 20 to 25 minutes from Kīhei, depending on traffic
• Around 30 minutes from Wailea, depending on traffic
• About 45 minutes from Kāʻanapali, depending on traffic and road conditions

Allow extra time on Saturday morning. Festival traffic and parking demand can increase as the day goes on. The 2025 festival offered free Saturday parking and free shuttles to and from Queen Kaʻahumanu Center, War Memorial Stadium, and War Memorial Gym. Whether those services return in 2026 has not yet been confirmed. Check official transport updates before you go.

Extend Your Central Maui Day

Exploring Beyond the Festival

Kahului is not only an airport stop. It is a practical base for exploring Central Maui before or after the festival. Nearby experiences include:

• Maui Arts & Cultural Center: Check for theater, gallery, or concert programming.
• Kanaha Beach Park: Enjoy ocean views and watch windsurfers.
• Wailuku Town: Browse independent shops and local restaurants.
• Iao Valley State Monument: Visit the lush valley and historic landscape, subject to reservation and weather conditions.
• Maui Tropical Plantation: Explore tropical scenery in Waikapū.
• Kahului Harbor: Watch harbor activity and enjoy nearby coastal views.

If you are staying in Kīhei or Wailea, consider making Saturday a full Central Maui day rather than driving back and forth.

Travel and Shopping Tips

Maximize Your Festival Experience

November is a popular time to visit Maui, with warm days, occasional showers, and the start of the busy holiday period. Reserve accommodation, rental cars, and restaurant tables early. Bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Reusable shopping bags
• A lightweight tote or small wheeled carrier, if allowed
• Card and some cash
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Light rain layer
• Portable phone charger
• Insulated pouch for chocolate or perishable products
• Bubble wrap or protective packaging for fragile goods

Helpful buying tips:

• Check whether foods can be brought on your flight.
• Pack liquids, sauces, and spreads in checked baggage according to airline and TSA rules.
• Keep receipts for higher-value purchases.
• Ask about shipping directly from vendors.
• Do not leave chocolate, candles, or food items in a hot rental car.
• Respect vendors’ time during busy periods.
• Support the event by purchasing directly rather than photographing products to reproduce later.

Festival Pricing and Tickets

Plan Your Budget

The official 2026 ticket prices for the Made in Maui County Festival were not yet published in the confirmed event schedule. Friday’s public Exclusive Shopping Day has limited paid admission, while approved wholesale buyers receive complimentary entry after registering online. For reference only, public admission for a prior festival was listed at $3, while children age 12 and under were free. This is not a confirmed 2026 price.

Before buying tickets, verify:

• Friday Exclusive Shopping Day price
• Saturday Big Festival Day price
• Children’s admission policy
• Parking and shuttle information
• Ticket delivery method
• Refund policy
• Whether tote-bag or other early-entry promotions are returning

Frequently Asked Questions

The Things People Always Want to Know

When is the Made in Maui County Festival 2026?

The 13th Annual Hawaiian Airlines Made in Maui County Festival takes place on Friday, 6 November and Saturday, 7 November 2026.

Where is the Made in Maui County Festival held?

The festival is held at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, located at 1 Cameron Way, Kahului, HI 96732.

What time is the Made in Maui County Festival?

Friday’s Buyers’ Preview and Exclusive Shopping Day runs from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday’s Big Festival Day runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Can the public attend on Friday, 6 November 2026?

Yes, but public attendance is limited. A limited number of Exclusive Shopping Day tickets will be available through the MACC Box Office. Approved wholesale buyers attend the Friday Buyers’ Preview at no charge after registering.

How much are Made in Maui County Festival 2026 tickets?

Verified 2026 ticket prices have not yet been announced. Prior ticket prices should be used only as a guide, and visitors should check the official website or MACC Box Office for current prices.

What can I buy at the festival?

Expect Maui County-made food, art, crafts, jewelry, fashion, beauty products, home goods, gifts, collectibles, and more. The event features more than 140 local makers and food vendors.

Does the festival include vendors from Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi?

Yes. The festival showcases businesses from across Maui County, including Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi.

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event Name: Hawaiian Airlines Made in Maui County Festival
• Edition: 13th Annual
• Event Category: Local products, food, art, craft, fashion, business, and community festival
• Confirmed Dates: Friday, 6 November and Saturday, 7 November 2026
• Friday Event: Buyers’ Preview and Exclusive Shopping Day
• Friday Hours: 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday Event: Big Festival Day
• Saturday Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Venue: Maui Arts & Cultural Center
• Address: 1 Cameron Way, Kahului, HI 96732
• Organiser: Maui Chamber of Commerce
• Participating Region: Maui County, including Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi
• Expected Vendor Count: More than 140 local makers and food vendors
• Products: Food, art, crafts, jewelry, fashion, gifts, home goods, collectibles, and locally made products
• Friday Public Access: Limited Exclusive Shopping Day tickets available through MACC Box Office
• Ticket Prices: Official 2026 prices are not yet confirmed
• Best For: Holiday shoppers, food lovers, gift buyers, art collectors, families, wholesale buyers, and visitors seeking authentic Maui County products

Set aside 6 and 7 November 2026 for Kahului, meet the makers of Maui County, taste the islands’ small-batch flavors, and bring home gifts that carry a real connection to Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi.

```

The 2026 Southwest Maui Invitational returns to the historic Lahaina Civic Center from Monday, 23 November through Wednesday, 25 November 2026. Eight major college basketball programs—Arizona, BYU, Clemson, Colorado State, Ole Miss, Providence, VCU, and Washington—will compete across three high-energy days during Thanksgiving week on Maui.

"For basketball fans, the Maui Invitational 2026 offers a rare combination: nationally relevant early-season matchups, an intimate arena environment, and an unforgettable West Maui setting."

The Story of the Maui Invitational

A Prestigious College Basketball Tradition

For the island, the tournament’s return to Lahaina carries particular meaning, bringing visitors and economic activity while supporting the community’s ongoing recovery with sensitivity and respect. The event marks the tournament’s 43rd edition and returns the action to the classic Lahaina venue, known for its close seating, loud crowds, and special atmosphere.

"The Maui Invitational has long been a source of visitor activity for West Maui, generating up to $20 million in annual economic impact."

The 2026 Experience

What to Expect from the Tournament

The confirmed dates for the 2026 Southwest Maui Invitational are 23 to 25 November 2026. The tournament will take place at the Lahaina Civic Center, located at 1840 Honoapiʻilani Highway, Lahaina, Maui, HI. The championship game is scheduled for Wednesday, 25 November 2026 at 2:30 p.m. Hawaiʻi Standard Time, with ESPN set to carry the broadcast.

• Monday, 23 November 2026: First-round games
• Tuesday, 24 November 2026: Championship-bracket semifinals and consolation games
• Wednesday, 25 November 2026: Championship, third-place, fifth-place, and seventh-place games
• Venue: Lahaina Civic Center
• Location: Lahaina, West Maui, Hawaiʻi
• Field: Eight teams, three days, and 12 total games

The 2026 Maui Invitational Teams

A Diverse and Competitive Field

The 2026 field brings together eight programs from major conferences and basketball traditions. Every team is guaranteed three games, giving fans a full tournament experience rather than a one-night event. This field offers contrasting styles and fan bases, making the 2026 bracket one of the most intriguing early-season tests in college basketball.

• Arizona Wildcats
• BYU Cougars
• Clemson Tigers
• Colorado State Rams
• Ole Miss Rebels
• Providence Friars
• VCU Rams
• Washington Huskies

Into the Games

Schedule and Matchups

The opening round takes place on Monday, 23 November 2026 at Lahaina Civic Center. All times listed are Hawaiʻi Standard Time.

• 2:30 p.m.: Clemson vs. Ole Miss
• 5:00 p.m.: BYU vs. Washington
• 9:00 p.m.: Providence vs. VCU
• 11:30 p.m.: Arizona vs. Colorado State

The late-night start times may look unusual to Maui visitors, but they allow national television coverage while creating a distinctive Thanksgiving-week basketball atmosphere in Lahaina.

The Lahaina Experience

Why the Maui Invitational Is So Special

The Maui Invitational is not just another non-conference tournament. It has become one of college basketball’s most prestigious early-season events because it pairs elite teams with an unusual island setting. The Lahaina Civic Center has a capacity of about 2,400, creating an intimate environment unlike the large arenas most of these programs play in during the regular season.

• Fans sit close to the action.
• Every possession feels louder.
• Team supporters travel from across the United States.
• Players face major opponents early in the season.
• Coaches can test rotations under pressure.
• National television gives the games a wide audience.
• Maui adds a memorable backdrop to serious basketball.

Planning Your Visit

Tickets, Travel, and Accommodations

The official tournament website offers ticket purchasing and travel packages for the 2026 event, but final official ticket prices may vary by package, session, seating section, and availability. Third-party marketplaces have listed all-session tickets beginning around $385, but resale prices change rapidly and are not official face values.

• Tickets: Official prices vary by package; third-party all-session listings have begun around $385, subject to change
• Transportation: Fly into Kahului Airport
• Accommodation: Book early in West Maui

Before buying, confirm:

• Whether tickets are all-session or single-session
• Exact seat location
• Fees and delivery method
• Refund policy
• Resale restrictions
• Accessibility seating
• Tournament-package inclusions
• Hotel and transport options
• Official seller status

Frequently Asked Questions

The Things People Always Want to Know

When is the Maui Invitational 2026?

The 2026 Southwest Maui Invitational takes place from Monday, 23 November through Wednesday, 25 November 2026.

Where is the Maui Invitational 2026 held?

The tournament will be held at the Lahaina Civic Center, 1840 Honoapiʻilani Highway, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaiʻi.

Which teams are in the 2026 Maui Invitational?

The confirmed field includes Arizona, BYU, Clemson, Colorado State, Ole Miss, Providence, VCU, and Washington.

When is the 2026 Maui Invitational championship game?

The championship game is scheduled for Wednesday, 25 November 2026 at 2:30 p.m. Hawaiʻi Standard Time.

How much are Maui Invitational 2026 tickets?

Official pricing varies by package and availability. Third-party all-session listings have started around $385, but prices can change and are not official face values. Purchase through official tournament channels whenever possible.

Is the Maui Invitational returning to Lahaina Civic Center?

Yes. The 2026 tournament is confirmed for Lahaina Civic Center from 23 to 25 November 2026.

How many games does each team play?

Every participating team plays three games during the three-day tournament. The bracket includes a championship path and consolation placement games.

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event Name: Southwest Maui Invitational
• Common Name: Maui Invitational
• Edition: 43rd tournament edition
• Event Category: NCAA Division I men’s college basketball tournament
• Confirmed Dates: Monday, 23 November to Wednesday, 25 November 2026
• Venue: Lahaina Civic Center
• Address: 1840 Honoapiʻilani Highway, Lahaina, Maui, HI
• Location: Lahaina, West Maui, Hawaiʻi
• Field: Arizona, BYU, Clemson, Colorado State, Ole Miss, Providence, VCU, and Washington
• Total Games: 12
• First-round Date: Monday, 23 November 2026
• Semifinal Date: Tuesday, 24 November 2026
• Championship Date and Time: Wednesday, 25 November 2026 at 2:30 p.m. Hawaiʻi Standard Time
• Championship Broadcast: ESPN
• Ticket Pricing: Official prices vary by package; third-party all-session listings have begun around $385, subject to change
• Best for: College basketball fans, alumni groups, families, sports travelers, and visitors seeking a Thanksgiving-week Maui experience

Make the most of 23 to 25 November 2026 by bringing your team colors to Lahaina, supporting local businesses with care, and experiencing why three days of basketball in Maui remain one of college sport’s most unforgettable traditions.

```