Ku Mai Ka Hula Competition 2025

Maui's only adult hula competition featuring traditional and contemporary Hawaiian dance performances.

Kū Mai Ka Hula 2025 returns to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Friday and Saturday, September 12–13, for its 18th anniversary as Maui’s only adult hula competition, with a special costuming talk, Designing the ʻAʻahu, opening the weekend on Thursday, September 11. Celebrated for elevating Maui’s hula stories and mele alongside elite performances from Hawaiʻi, Japan, and the continental United States, this two-day festival of kahiko and ʻauana brings top hālau and esteemed judges to Castle Theater, plus craft vendors and ono food in the Yokouchi Pavilion.

Dates, venue, and tickets

• Dates and times:
• Thursday, Sept 11, 7:30 p.m. – Designing the ʻAʻahu (McCoy Studio Theater).
• Friday, Sept 12, 6 p.m. – Solo Competition and Awards; pre-show starts 4:30 p.m. (Castle Theater/Yokouchi Pavilion).
• Saturday, Sept 13, 1 p.m. – Group Competition and Awards; pre-show starts 11:30 a.m. (Castle Theater/Yokouchi Pavilion).
• Venue: Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Castle Theater (competitions) and McCoy Studio Theater (Thursday presentation), Kahului, Maui.
• Tickets: $38 adults; $21 kids 12 and under per day, all fees included; two-day adult package $35/day when purchased together; MACC members receive 10% discount; online-only sales launch Thursday, Aug 14 at 10 a.m. via MauiArts.org; box office window closed, email support available at boxoffice@mauiarts.org.

What makes Kū Mai Ka Hula special

Now in its 18th year, Kū Mai Ka Hula — literally “Hula Appears” — is Maui’s premier annual hula competition and the island’s only contest exclusively for adult dancers, featuring solo, group, and kūpuna divisions in both kahiko (traditional) and ʻauana (modern) styles. It draws award-winning hālau from across Hawaiʻi, Japan, and the continental U.S., and showcases a level of performance comparable to larger statewide competitions, while uniquely centering the stage and audience experience on Maui at the MACC. The 2025 judging panel includes renowned kumu hula from across the pae ʻāina such as Taupori Tangaro, Ulalia Woodside Lee, Maka Herrod, and Cody Pueo Pata, affirming the event’s cultural rigor and prestige.

2025 weekend schedule at a glance

• Designing the ʻAʻahu: A deep dive into the artistry and logistics of hula costuming with accomplished Maui kumu hula, exploring inspiration, materials, sourcing, and the vision behind finishing a hula presentation, held Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the McCoy Studio Theater.
• Friday Solo Competition: Pre-show entertainment in the Yokouchi Pavilion by the Kamehameha Schools Maui Hawaiian Ensemble begins at 4:30 p.m.; soloists take the Castle Theater stage at 6 p.m., followed by an awards ceremony.
• Saturday Group Competition: Pre-show starts 11:30 a.m.; groups compete at 1 p.m., followed by awards; shop made-in-Hawaiʻi craft vendors throughout the day and enjoy food and beverage offerings in the pavilion courtyard.

Cultural focus and community connection

Press and past coverage emphasize Kū Mai Ka Hula’s Maui-centric orientation, with many hālau choosing mele that honor Maui’s places and heritage, even when traveling from afar to perform on island. The event is presented by the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in association with Kauahea Inc., founded by Kumu Hula Hōkūlani Holt to support Hawaiian arts and culture, aligning the competition with year-round cultural education and community engagement on Maui. In keeping with the MACC’s wildfire relief support, patrons are invited to bring non-perishable donations for Maui Food Bank during the competition weekend.

How to get tickets and plan seating

Tickets for both Friday and Saturday go on sale online only at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug 14; purchasing both days together secures the two-day adult discount of $35 per day (all fees included). Families benefit from the kids’ pricing at $21 per day for ages 12 and under, and MACC members receive an additional 10% discount at checkout. Because the MACC box office is not open for window sales, buyers should create or verify their MauiArts.org account ahead of the onsale to speed checkout; for accessibility requests or questions, email the box office team.

Tips for attending

• Arrive early for pre-shows: Pavilion entertainment starts well before the competitions and sets the cultural tone; arriving early also gives time to browse artisan booths and grab food and drinks without rushing.
• Dress comfortably and respectfully: Light layers for the air-conditioned theater; culturally mindful attire is appreciated for a Hawaiian cultural event.
• Support local: Bring a tote for purchases from made-in-Hawaiʻi crafters; these vendors are curated for Saturday’s program and connect visitors with authentic island-made products.
• Give back: Consider bringing a non-perishable item for Maui Food Bank to contribute to ongoing community support efforts.

For visiting hula fans

• Make a weekend of it: Pair Friday evening and Saturday afternoon competitions with morning visits to ʻĪao Valley and Wailuku’s historic core, or an early beach walk before the group competition.
• Transportation and parking: MACC has ample on-site parking, but plan extra time Friday evening; rideshare is convenient from central and West Maui lodging.
• Where to sit: Castle Theater provides excellent sightlines across tiers; if attending both days, consider varying seat locations to experience different visual perspectives of formations and adornments.

For prospective competitors and hālau

The official Kū Mai Ka Hula site invites interested hālau to inquire about participating, noting the competition’s 18th anniversary in 2025 and sponsorship support for the event. The About page highlights divisions and styling, underscoring that Ms. and Mr. Hula Maui as well as group categories feature both kahiko and ʻauana performances that foreground disciplined technique and storytelling through mele and hula. With a judging panel drawn from respected kumu across Hawaiʻi, entrants can expect culturally informed criteria and feedback commensurate with the competition’s reputation.

Verified details at a glance

• Title: 18th Annual Kū Mai Ka Hula — Maui’s only adult hula competition.
• When: Sept 12 (Solo, 6 p.m., pre-show 4:30 p.m.) and Sept 13 (Group, 1 p.m., pre-show 11:30 a.m.); Designing the ʻAʻahu panel Sept 11, 7:30 p.m..
• Where: Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Castle Theater; McCoy Studio Theater for Thursday panel; Yokouchi Pavilion for pre-shows and vendors.
• Tickets: On sale Aug 14 at 10 a.m. online only; $38 adults/$21 kids per day; two-day adult bundle $35/day; MACC members 10% off.
• Judges and hālau: Award-winning hālau from Hawaiʻi, Japan, and the continental U.S.; judging by esteemed kumu hula including Taupori Tangaro, Ulalia Woodside Lee, Maka Herrod, and Cody Pueo Pata.

Kū Mai Ka Hula is a rare chance to experience world-class hula through Maui’s lens, with intimate theater acoustics, close-up views of kapa, lei, and ʻaʻahu, and mele that speak directly to this island’s past and present. Secure tickets the moment they go on sale, plan to enjoy the pre-show music and marketplace, and be part of a weekend that honors tradition, celebrates excellence, and welcomes everyone who loves hula to gather in aloha at the MACC.