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)
```
