Calendar Of Events
2011
JUNE
9 • 30th ANNUAL KAPALUA WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL
World-renowned winemakers, master sommeliers and Hawaii’s hottest chefs are showcased throughout the Kapalua Resort at wine tastings, seminars, gourmet food samplings. This nationally-acclaimed event includes The Grand Tasting/Maui Grown Gala, Hawai‘i Regional Cuisine Chef Demo and Maui Seafood Festival. (Continues through 6/12) 1-888-665-9160 or kapalua.com
10 • WA‘A KIAKAHI SAILING CANOE RACE
Early risers will want to be on Ka‘anapali Beach in time for the departure of the Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association’s annual race from Ka‘anapali to Waikiki on Sunday. Watch the Hawaiian blessing ceremony and colorful outrigger sailing canoes fly across the waves. Enjoy Hawaiian cultural activities in Ka‘anapali Resort over the weekend. (Continues through 6/12) 661-3271 or kaanapaliresort.com
11 • KAMEHAMEHA PA‘U PARADE & CELEBRATION
A colorful floral parade through Lahaina features traditional Pa‘u riders on horses decorated with exotic island flowers, marching bands and floats, all honoring Kamehameha the Great’s families. A ho‘olaule‘a is held at Banyan Tree Park with island food, crafts, and Hawaiian entertainment. 1-888-310-1117 or visitlahaina.com
11 • UPCOUNTRY AG & FARM FAIR
This country fair features an agricultural trade show with Maui farm products. Highlights include a paniolo ranch exhibit, multi-ethnic food court, show animals, truck-trailer-tractor lane, live music and family fun. Oskie Rice Field & Arena, Makawao (Continues through 6/12) 572-7143 or upcountryfairmaui.com
11 • KA‘ANAPALI PRO-AM/PRO-PRO CHAMPIONSHIP
Join the Aloha PGA professionals from Hawai‘i in a Pro-Am on Saturday to compete for great prizes. A two-person Pro-Pro team tournament follows on Sunday and Monday. Spectators are welcome on the Royal Ka‘anapali Course (Continues through 6/13) 661-3691 or kaanapaligolfcourses.com
15 • MAUI FILM FESTIVAL AT WAILEA
Hawaiian culture meets the Big Screen at this annual film festival in Wailea. Film premieres at the Celestial Cinema are set up in Wailea Golf Club’s driving range; Maui SkyDome is in Wailea resort; Castle & McCoy Theaters are at Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Special Events include the Celebrity Tributes, Starry Night MoonDance, Taste of Chocolate, Taste of Wailea, plus filmmaker panels and industry awards. (Continues through 6/19) 572-3456 or mauifilmfestival.com
26 • KI HO‘ALU (SLACK KEY) GUITAR FESTIVAL
Hawaii’s top slack key guitarists showcase this traditional art form in a free concert outdoors, plus arts and crafts and local-style food. Held at Maui Arts & Cultural Center, 2-7pm. 242-SHOW (7469) or mauiarts.org
JULY
2 • MAKAWAO RODEO & PANIOLO PARADE
Maui Roping Club presents the largest rodeo in Hawai‘i with more than 350 cowboys from all over the world. From 1 to 4pm, watch competitors ride, rope and run for top prizes. Country music and dancing in the evenings. Oskie Rice Arena. Paniolo Parade opens the event at 9am Sat. along Baldwin Ave., Makawao. (Continues on 7/3)
3 • LANA‘I PINEAPPLE FESTIVAL
Lana‘i honors the island’s pineapple plantation days. Live entertainment with top bands, food, games and crafts booths, and an evening fireworks display take place at Dole Park in Lana‘i City. 808-565-7600 or lanaipineapplefestival.com
4 • LAHAINA’S 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION
Maui Chamber of Commerce and Lahaina businesses host an old-fashioned evening with Maui Invitational Music Festival bands performing on the Library Lawn oceanside of Front Street, beginning at 5 pm, followed by a fireworks display over the Lahaina roadstead at 8 pm. 1-888-310-1117 or visitlahaina.com
AUGUST
12 • HEIVA I MAUI TAHITIAN COMPETITION
Celebrating Tahitian dance and culture, this annual festival takes place at War Memorial Gym in Wailuku. Enjoy solo and group dancing and drumming competitions, Polynesian crafts and food. (Continues through 8/14) 250-0737 or heivaimaui.blogspot.com
SEPTEMBER
2 • KAPALUA OPEN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Hawaii’s best tennis stars heat up during this annual Labor Day competition. Men’s and women’s singles and doubles, plus 3.0 - 4.5 and Open division play at Kapalua Resort’s award-winning Tennis Garden. (Continues through 9/5) 665-9112 or kapalua.com
16 • CHINESE MOON FESTIVAL
An occasion for family reunions, the Moon Festival is celebrated in Lahaina at Wo Hing Museum with cultural displays, demonstrations and fun for the whole family. 661-3262 or lahainarestoration.org
16 • 41st ANNUAL MAUI MARATHON
The oldest continuously held running event in Hawai‘i, this 26.2-mile course from Kahului to Ka‘anapali on Sun. is ranked as one of the world’s most scenic marathons. Half-Marathon course is also featured. A Fitness Expo, Carbo Lu‘au and Rock the Run parties, Front Street Mile and 5K Fun Run/Walk precede on Fri. and Sat. in the Ka‘anapali resort. (Runs through 9/18) 280-5801 or mauimarathonhawaii.com
29 • 89th ANNUAL MAUI COUNTY FAIR
Everyone from kids to seniors can find something to appreciate at the largest event on Maui. A parade down Ka‘ahumanu Blvd. to the fairgrounds in Wailuku opens on Thur; enjoy carnival rides, artwork, photos, crafts, flowers, trade shows, great local grinds and live entertainment. (Runs through 10/2) 242-2721 or mauicountyfair.com
OCTOBER
16 • MAUI ‘UKULELE FESTIVAL
Celebrate Hawaii’s favorite instrument, the ‘ukulele, at this free outdoor concert, featuring a wide array of island musicians plus arts and crafts, and food booths. Held 1-6pm at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. 242-SHOW (7469) or mauiarts.org
16 • ALOHA TEAM CLASSIC GOLF EVENT
This popular golf event for 2-person amateur teams includes three rounds of golf on Maui’s spectacular courses and begins with a sunset welcome reception on Sunday evening. Also included are lunches after each round, prizes and two evening dining experiences. Meet golfers from across the country. (continues through 10/19) 665-5815 or alohateamclassic.org
21 • LAHAINA PLANTATION DAYS
This festival pays tribute to West Maui’s fond memories of sugar and pineapple plantations. Enjoy stage entertainment by cultural groups and Hawaii’s popular musicians, restaurant food booths, coffee and beer tents, a Kid’s Zone with nostalgic games and animal rides, historical displays and museum exhibits. Held on the old Pioneer Mill site surrounding the historic smokestack. (Continues through 10/22) 661-3262 or lahainarestoration.org
22 • XTERRA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Premiere off-road, extreme multi-sport competition televised on Maui. Featuring a 1.5K ocean swim, 30K mountain bike ride, and 11K off-road run, it attracts a cross-over field of the world’s finest triathletes. Lifestyle events and 5K/10K trail run at Makena Beach Resort precede on Sat. (Continues through 10/23) 1-877-751-8880 or xterraplanet.com
28 • LAHAINA JACKPOT & WAHINE FISHING TOURNAMENTS
Organized by the Lahaina Yacht Club, the Lahaina Jackpot is the oldest money fishing tournament held in Hawai‘i. Established in 1976, it promotes Lahaina as a sportfishing destination, educates residents and visitors about sportfishing and promotes conservation of our marine resources through a tag-and-release program. The women-only tournament is on Friday. (Continues through 10/30) 661-0191 or lahainajackpot.com
31 • HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES
Many shopping centers on Maui host a family fun night for Halloween with kids’ costume contests, trick-or-treating, games and more. Visit Lahaina Cannery Mall and The Wharf Cinema Center in Lahaina, Maui Mall and Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center in Kahului. On Front Street in Lahaina, view the annual Children’s Costume Parade at 4pm.
NOVEMBER
4 • HULA O NA KEIKI
Maui’s only children’s solo hula competition is hosted at the Ka‘anapali Beach Hotel on Friday and Saturday. Workshops on cultural arts and hula, an arts and crafts fair, and delightful entertainment abound. (Continues to 11/6) 661-0011 or kbhmaui.com
21 • MAUI INVITATIONAL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
Hawaii’s Chaminade University hosts 12 NCAA-sanctioned top college teams in this 28th annual pre-season tournament at the Lahaina Civic Center. (Continues through 11/23) For tickets, go to mauiinvitational.com
DECEMBER
1 • TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua begins the holiday season in style by lighting more than 250,000 sparkling lights around its holiday tree and dozens of pine and palm trees on property. Hawaiian music show follows. Proceeds from the purchase of tree lights benefit Maui’s Homeless Resource Centers. Call 669-6200 for updates.
2 • NA MELE O MAUI
A tribute to the culture of Hawai‘i through music, language and art. Maui County students in Kindergarten-12th Grade sing traditional songs in the Hawaiian language in a competition which raises scholarship funds. High school students exhibit original artwork with Hawaiian theme. Held in Castle Theater at Maui Arts & Cultural Center from 9am to 2pm. 1-800-245-9229 or kaanapaliresort.com
3 • HOLIDAY LIGHTING OF THE BANYAN TREE
At 6:30pm, Lahaina’s historic landmark Banyan Tree lights up for the remainder of the holiday season with thousands of colored lights. Santa Claus makes an appearance and community choirs sing Christmas carols. During the day, enjoy a holiday arts and crafts fair in the park plus a real Snow Zone for kids. (Continues 12/4 with crafts fair) 1-888-310-1117 or visitlahaina.com
2012
JANUARY
2 • HYUNDAI TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS
PGA Tour champions from 2011 compete in this season-opening golf tournament at Kapalua Resort’s Plantation Course for a $5,600,000 purse; televised four days. Portions of the proceeds benefit Maui charities. (Continues through 1/8) 1-888-665-9160 or see kapalua.com or pgatour.com
27 • CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION
LahainaTown celebrates the lunar new year with colorful lion dances on Front Street and at The Wharf Cinema Center on Fri. Visitors and residents alike can enjoy Chinese cultural activities at Wo Hing Museum on Sat. (Continues through 1/28) 1-888-310-1117 or visitlahaina.com
28 • KA MOLOKA‘I MAKAHIKI FESTIVAL
Molokai's annual cultural event celebrates the end of the old Hawaiian Makahiki season (time for peace). Traditional Hawaiian games of skill are showcased in student and adult competitions at the Mitchell Pauole Center. The fun continues during the day with lectures, arts and crafts workshops, chanting and hula, and lots of island foods. 808-553-3673 or molokai.com
FEBRUARY
4 • MAUI OPEN STUDIOS
Maui’s newest art event encourages visitors to tour as many artist studios and gallery spaces as they wish in all areas of the island. Visual artists and artisans in all media give demos, talk story about their work, serve refreshments, feature entertainment, exhibit and sell art. Pickup the MOS guidebook at the opening celebration and preview exhibition. (three weekends; continues through 2/19) See mauiopenstudios.com
18 • MAUI PLEIN AIR PAINTING INVITATIONAL
25 top plein air painters from Hawai‘i and the mainland paint around Maui for a week in full view of the public. Highlight events include the Paint Out at Kapalua, Sunset Paint Out, Lahaina Harbor Quick Draw, and Gala Reception at The Village Gallery in Lahaina. (Continues through 2/25) 661-4402 or mauipleinairpainting.com
18 • MAUI’S WHALE DAY CELEBRATION
Maui’s longest-running celebration honoring humpback whales features Pacific Whale Foundation-sponsored Parade of Whales, Keiki Whale-a-thon and the Whale Day Celebration with Hawaii’s best live entertainment on stage, a craft fair, and restaurant food booths at Kalama Park. Ends with the Great Whale Count island-wide on 2/25. 1-800-942-5311 or mauiwhalefestival.org
MARCH
3 • HAIKU HO‘OLAULE‘A & FLOWER FESTIVAL
Haiku Community Center hosts this celebration of flowers with a plant and flower sale, floral contests, arts and crafts, live music, historical display, farmer’s market, island food and Community Living area. See haikumaui.org
8 • OCEAN ARTS FESTIVAL
Lahaina celebrates the annual migration of Humpback whales with ocean-themed arts, crafts, kids’ art activities, island music and a Creature Feature touch pool in Banyan Tree Park. Families will enjoy whale researcher presentations and exhibits on Thur. and Fri. evenings. (Continues through 3/11) 1-888-310-1117 or visitlahaina.com
APRIL
6 • CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS
This cultural event pays tribute to the people, arts and traditions of Hawai‘i, hosted by The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua. Experience seminars on Hawaiian current events and culture, hands-on workshops in art and traditional crafts, hula performances, a children’s learning center and the closing Celebration Lu‘au and Show. (Continues through 4/7) 669-6200 or celebrationofthearts.org
7 • MAUI COUNTY AGRICULTURAL FESTIVAL
Maui County Farm Bureau and County of Maui raise awareness about local agriculture with farmers’ market and barnyard games, ag demonstrations and activities, baking and cooking contests, pony rides and farm animals, Ask the Farm Doctor and Victory Farm. Taste Education celebrates Mauiʻs famed regional cuisine based on locally grown produce. Held at Maui Tropical Plantation in Waikapu. 243-2290 or mauicountyfarmbureau.org
21 • BANYAN TREE BIRTHDAY PARTY
The 139th birthday of LahainaTown’s famous Banyan Tree is celebrated with a birthday cake, artists displaying nature artworks, hands-on art activities for children and multi-cultural entertainment. (Continues on 4/22) 1-888-310-1117 or visitlahaina.com
28 • EAST MAUI TARO FESTIVAL
Hana’s annual cultural event celebrates Hawaii’s traditional staple, taro. Enjoy the all-day festival on Sat. with live music and hula, arts and crafts, ancient games, food booths and taro farming demos. On Sun. enjoy a taro pancake breakfast and tours to Kahanu Gardens and Kapahu Living Farm. (Continues through 4/29) 264-1553 or tarofestival.org
MAY
5 • MAUI ONION FESTIVAL
Ka‘anapali pays tribute to the Maui Onion, known worldwide for its sweet, mild flavor, in this 23rd annual celebration. Enjoy food and product booths, Maui Onion rings, celebrity chefs’ cooking demos and best onion recipe competition, Maui Onion-eating contests for kids and adults and music, all at Whalers Village. 661-4567 or whalersvillage.com
11 • MAUI MATSURI
This annual event honors Japanese cultural traditions “for the sake of the children.” Young and old alike will delight in Obon dancing and entertainment, eating and art contests, kids’ activities and a bunkamura (village) dotted with stalls selling crafts and food. Fri. is Japanese movie night. Takes place at UH - Maui College. (Continues through 5/12) 283-9999 or mauimatsuri.com
11 • PROGRESSIVE DINNER THROUGH LAHAINA’S HISTORIC SITES
Four famous historical sites in LahainaTown are featured in re-enactments by actors in period costumes and accompanied by one of four dinner courses prepared by popular Lahaina restaurant chefs. Proceeds help preserve the sites. (Continues through 5/12) call 661-3262 or visit lahainarestoration.org
11 • KA HULA PIKO FESTIVAL
A celebration of the birth of hula on Moloka‘i with Hawaiian entertainment, foods, handmade crafts and a series of lectures. Held at Mitchell Pauole Center in Kaunakakai. 808-553-5221 or molokai.com
12 • MAUI BREWERS FESTIVAL
This MACC fundraiser showcases the best craft beers made in Hawai‘i and beyond. Join hosts Maui Brewing Company and Maui Arts & Cultural Center for a leisurely day of tasting beers from 25 breweries, appetizer sampling from island restaurants, live entertainment with local bands and prize giveaways. Pavilion/Amphitheater, 3-7pm. 242-SHOW (7469) or mauiarts.org
25 • WAILEA OPEN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
This 28th annual tennis event attracts players from Hawai‘i as well as the Mainland. Held at Wailea Tennis Club, it features competition in men’s and women’s singles and doubles, Open, A, B, C and D divisions. 8am to sunset. (Continues through 5/28) 879-1958 or waileatennis.com
All dates and times are subject to change.
For updates, call the phone number or view the website listed.
Hawaii’s most up-to-date events calendar website is hosted by the Hawai‘i Visitors & Convention Bureau: gohawaii.com and Maui Visitors Bureau at gohawaii.com/maui
ONGOING EVENTS
Sea-Land Sports Competitions Maui is world-renowned for its surfing spots and windsurfing-kiteboarding beaches. Throughout the year, there are many pro and amateur surfing competitions in all ages and classes, as well as wavesailing tournaments, kayaking and outrigger canoe races. Look for Jaws Invitational big wave surfing, the Billabong Pro Maui women’s surfing championship and the Aloha Classic Windsurfing competitions on Maui, and the Moloka‘i to O‘ahu Paddleboard Race, Na Wahine O Ke Kai and Moloka‘i Hoe canoe races from Moloka‘i. On Lana‘i, National Sporting Clays Association target shoots are featured monthly. Contact the Maui Visitors Bureau at 244-3530 or see visitmauiblog.com for dates.
The Arts Abound All Around Maui Friday Night is Art Night in Lahaina, every Friday from 7-10pm, when the galleries along Front Street and its environs offer special showings and artist receptions. Also on Friday evenings in Lahaina are Candlelit Tours of the Baldwin Home Museum along with Hawaiian cultural art activities. WOW! Wailea on Wednesdays is a similar weekly event in The Shops at Wailea from 6:30-9:30pm with art demonstrations, in-store specials and live music.
Year-round artisan fairs include He U‘i Cultural Arts and Lahaina Arts Society fairs held on alternate weekends under the Banyan Tree in Lahaina, as well as Maui’s Best Craft Fair and Kalama Center marketplace in Kihei. The picturesque Upcountry town of Makawao offers a wide variety of fine art galleries and local craft boutiques. Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center in Makawao offers on-going classes and guest artist events for children as well as adults. The heart of Wailuku in Central Maui is an antique collector’s and art-lover’s haven; the town hosts monthly First Friday events on Market Street with art, food and enertainment. Many Maui hotels feature Polynesian arts and crafts displays weekly; free hula performances can be found at shopping centers islandwide.
Be sure to visit the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Maui’s premier performing and visual arts complex in Kahului. World-class art exhibits are showcased in its Schaefer International Gallery; admission is free. Hawaiian cultural programs feature Hawaii’s top artists in music concerts, dance performances and storytelling. World-renowned musicians and bands are featured in Castle Theater and outdoors at the Yokouchi Pavilion/A&B Amphitheater. Call 242-ARTS (2787) for a brochure or see mauiarts.org for dates.