Maui Events Calendar

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As with any schedule of upcoming events, the following information is subject to change; always confirm the details before you plan your schedule around an event. For an exhaustive list of events beyond those mentioned here, check www.visitmaui.com, www.molokai-hawaii.com, or www.visitlanai.net for events throughout Maui, Molokai, and Lanai, or http://events.frommers.com, where you'll find a searchable, up-to-the-minute roster of what's happening in cities all over the world.

January

PGA Kapalua Mercedes Championship, Kapalua Resort. Top PGA golfers compete for $1 million. Call tel. 808/669-2440 or visit www.kapaluamaui.com. Early January.

Ka Molokai Makahiki, Kaunakakai Town Baseball Park, Mitchell Pauole Center, Kaunakakai, Molokai. Makahiki, a traditional time of peace in ancient Hawaii, is re-created with performances by Hawaiian music groups and hula halau, ancient Hawaiian games, a sporting competition, and Hawaiian crafts and food. It's a wonderful chance to experience the Hawaii of yesteryear. Call tel. 800/800-6367 or 808/553-3876, or visit www.molokai-hawaii.com. Late January.

February

Wendy's Champions Skins Game at Wailea, Wailea Golf Courses. Longtime golfing greats participate in this four-man tournament for $770,000 in prize money. Call tel. 808/875-7450 or visit www.seniorskinswailea.com. Mid-January to early February.

Whale Day Celebration, Kalama Park, Kihei. A daylong celebration in the park with a parade of whales, entertainment, a crafts fair, games, and food. Call tel. 808/249-8811 or visit www.visitmaui.com. Early or mid-February.

Whale Quest Kapalua, Kapalua Resort. This weekend-long event celebrates whales through lectures, interactive displays and events, art and photo exhibitions, and walks. Mid-February.

Chinese New Year. Lahaina town rolls out the red carpet for this important event with a traditional lion dance at the historic Wo Hing Temple on Front Street, accompanied by fireworks, food booths, and a host of activities. Call tel. 888/310-1117 or 808/667-9175. Also on Market Street in Wailuku; call tel. 808/270-7414. February 8, 2008, starts the Year of the Rat.

March

Daylight Saving Time Begins. Since 1966, most of the United States has observed daylight saving time from 2am on the first Sunday of April to 2am on the last Sunday of October. In 2007 these dates changed, and now daylight saving time lasts from 2am on the second Sunday in March to 2am on the first Sunday in November. Hawaii does not observe daylight saving time. So beginning on March 9, 2008, Hawaii is 3 hours behind the West Coast and 6 hours behind the East Coast.

Annual Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Celebration of the Arts, Ritz-Carlton Kapalua. Contemporary and traditional artists give free hands-on lessons. Call tel. 808/669-6200 or visit www.celebrationofthearts.org. The 4-day festival begins the Thursday before Easter (Mar 20 to 23, 2008).

Ocean Arts Festival, Lahaina. The entire town of Lahaina celebrates the annual migration of Pacific humpback whales with an Ocean Arts Festival in Banyan Tree Park. Artists display their best ocean-themed art for sale, and Hawaiian musicians and hula troupes entertain. Enjoy marine-related activities, games, and a Creature Feature touch-pool exhibit for children. Call tel. 888/310-1117 or 808/667-9194, or visit www.visitlahaina.com. Mid-March.

Run to the Sun, Paia to Haleakala. The world's top ultramarathoners make the journey from sea level to the top of 10,000-foot Haleakala, some 37 miles. Call tel. 808/280-4893 or visit www.virr.com. March 22, 2008.

Molokai Hawaiian Paniolo Heritage Rodeo, Molokai Rodeo Arena, Maunaloa, Molokai. A celebration of Hawaii's paniolo (cowboy) heritage. Call tel. 877/88T-RAIL.

April

Buddha Day, Lahaina Jodo Mission, Lahaina. Each year this historic mission holds a flower festival pageant honoring the birth of Buddha. Call tel. 808/661-4303 or visit www.calendarmaui.com. Early April.

Maui Polo Spring Season Begins. For a complete list of all the polo matches in the cool, upcountry area of Maui, call tel. 808/877-7744 or go to www.visitmaui.com.

David Malo Day, Lahaina. Lahainaluna High School celebrates its famous Hawaiian scholar with a luau and hula performances. Call tel. 808/662-4000 or visit www.visitmaui.com. Usually mid- or late April.

Banyan Tree Birthday Party, Lahaina. Come celebrate the 134th birthday of Lahaina's famous Banyan Tree with a weekend of activities. Call tel. 888/310-1117 or 808/667-9175, or visit www.visitlahaina.com. April 26 and 27, 2008.

Earth Day, Kahului and Maalaea. Maui Nui Botanical Gardens in Kahului (tel. 808/249-2798) and the Harbor Shops in Maalaea (tel. 808/249-8811) host Earth Day celebrations. Late April.

East Maui Taro Festival, Hana. Here's your chance to taste taro in many different forms, from poi to chips. Also on hand are Hawaiian exhibits, demonstrations, and food booths. Call tel. 808/264-3336 or visit www.calendarmaui.com. Generally late April.

May

Outrigger Canoe Season, all islands. From May to September nearly every weekend, canoe paddlers across the state participate in outrigger canoe races. Call tel. 808/383-7790 or go to www.y2kanu.com for this year's schedule of events.

Annual Lei Day Celebration, Fairmont Kea Lani, Wailea. May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii, celebrated with lei-making contests, pageantry, arts and crafts, and concerts throughout the islands. Call tel. 808/224-6042 or go to www.visitmaui.com. May 1.

Kapalua Jr. Vet/Sr. Tennis Championships, Kapalua. Men and women ages 35 and over compete in singles and doubles championship tournaments. Call tel. 808/669-5677 or visit www.kapaluamaui.com. Early May.

International Festival of Canoes, west Maui. Celebration of the Pacific islands' seafaring heritage. Events include canoe paddling and sailing regattas, a luau feast, cultural arts demonstrations, canoe-building exhibits, and music. Call tel. 888/310-1117 or visit www.mauicanoefest.com. Mid- to late May.

Molokai Ka Hula Piko Festival, Papohaku Beach Park, Kaluakoi, Molokai. This daylong celebration of the hula takes place on the island where it was born. It features performances by hula schools, musicians, and singers from across Hawaii, as well as local food and Hawaiian crafts, including quilting, woodworking, feather work, and deer-horn scrimshaw. Call tel. 800/800-6367 or 808/553-3876, or go to www.molokaievents.com. Third Saturday in May.

June

Da Kine Classic Windsurfing Event, Kanaha Beach Park. Annual windsurfing slalom race at Kanaha Beach Park. Call tel. 808/877-2111. Early June.

King Kamehameha Celebration, statewide. It's a state holiday with a massive floral parade, hoolaulea (parties), and much more. Call tel. 888/310-1117 or 808/667-9194, or go to www.visitlahaina.com for Maui events; call tel. 808/567-6361 for Molokai events. June 6 and 7, 2008.

Maui Film Festival, Wailea Resort. Five days and nights of screenings of premieres and special films, along with traditional Hawaiian storytelling, chants, hula, and contemporary music. Call tel. 808/572-3456 or 808/579-9244, or go to www.mauifilmfestival.com. Beginning the Wednesday before Father's Day, June 11 to June 15, 2008.

Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival, Maui Arts and Cultural Center, Kahului. Great music performed by the best musicians in Hawaii. It's 5 hours long and absolutely free. Call tel. 808/226-2697 or visit www.hawaiianslackkeyguitarfestivals.com. Late June.

Kapalua Clambake Pro-Am Golf Tournament, Kapalua Resort. This 20th-annual Pro-Am tournament ends with a giant clambake on the beach. Call tel. 808/669-8802 or go to www.visitmaui.com. Late June.

July

Polo Season, Olinda Polo Field, Makawao, Maui. Polo matches featuring Hawaii's top players, often joined by famous international players. Call tel. 808/877-7744 or visit www.mauipolo.com. Held every Sunday at 1pm throughout the summer.

Pineapple Festival, Lanai City, Lanai. Celebrates Lanai's history of pineapple plantations and ranching and includes a pineapple-eating contest, a pineapple-cooking contest, entertainment, arts and crafts, food, and fireworks. Call tel. 808/565-7600 or go to www.visitlanai.net. First Saturday in July (July 5, 2008).

Fourth of July. Lahaina holds an old-fashioned Independence Day celebration with fireworks lighting the night sky over Lahaina's roadstead. Call tel. 888/310-1117 or 808/667-9194, or go to www.visitlahaina.com. Kaanapali puts on a grand old celebration with live music, children's activities, and fireworks. Call tel. 808/661-3271.

Makawao Parade and Rodeo, Makawao, Maui. The annual parade and rodeo event have been taking place in this upcountry cowboy town for generations. Call tel. 808/572-9565. July 4.

Kapalua Wine and Food Festival, Kapalua. Famous wine and food experts and oenophiles gather at the Ritz-Carlton and Kapalua Bay hotels for formal tastings, panel discussions, and samplings of new releases. Call tel. 800/KAPALUA or go to www.kapaluaresort.com. Usually early July.

Bon Dance and Lantern Ceremony, Lahaina. This colorful Buddhist ceremony honors the souls of the dead. Call tel. 808/661-4304. Usually early July.

Hawaii State Windsurf Championship, Kanaha Beach Park, Kahului. Top windsurfers compete. Call tel. 808/877-2111. Late July or early August.

Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race, Molokai. The 32-mile race from Molokai to Oahu starts at 7am at Kaluakoi Beach and finishes around 12:30pm at Maunaloa Bay on Oahu. Call tel. 808/638-8208 or visit www.molokai-hawaii.com. Late July.

August

Maui Onion Festival, Whalers Village, Kaanapali, Maui. Everything you ever wanted to know about the sweetest onions in the world. Food, entertainment, tasting, and the Maui Onion Cook-Off. Call tel. 808/661-4567 or go to www.whalersvillage.com. Early August.

Hawaii State Windsurf Championship, Kanaha Beach Park, Kahului. Top windsurfers compete. Call tel. 808/877-2111. Early August.

Tahiti Fete, Wailuku. Annual Tahitian dance competition, arts and crafts, and food, held in the War Memorial Gym in Wailuku. Call tel. 808/244-8088. Two days in August.

September

Aloha Festivals, various locations. Parades and other events celebrate Hawaiian culture. Call tel. 800/852-7690 or 808/545-1771, or visit www.alohafestivals.com for a schedule of events.

LifeFest Kapalua, Kapalua Resort. A 3-day health-and-wellness event featuring lectures and panel presentations by leaders in the health-and-wellness field, plus ocean sporting events, fitness activities, a health-and-wellness expo, and sumptuous gala dinners. Wailea resorts and condominiums offer special package rates. For more information, call tel. 866/669-2440 or 808/669-2440, or go to www.lifefestmaui.com. Usually early September.

Maui Writers Conference, Wailea Marriott Resort & Spa. Workshops, lectures, and panel discussions with writers, agents, and publishers. Call tel. 808/879-0061 or go to www.mauiwriters.com. Labor Day weekend. August 29 to September 1, 2008.

A Taste of Lahaina, Lahaina Civic Center, Maui. Some 30,000 people show up to sample 40 signature entrees of Maui's premier chefs during this weekend festival, which includes cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, and live entertainment. The event begins Friday night with Maui Chefs Present, a themed dinner/cocktail party featuring about a dozen of Maui's best chefs. Call tel. 888/310-1117 or 808/667-9194, or visit www.visitlahaina.com. Early September.

Hana Relays, Hana Highway. Hundreds of runners, in relay teams, crowd the Hana Highway from Kahului to Hana (you might want to otherwise avoid the road on this day). Call tel. 808/243-9636 or go to www.virr.com. Early September.

Maui Marathon, Kahului to Kaanapali, Maui. Runners line up at the Maui Mall before daybreak and head off for Kaanapali. Call tel. 866/577-8379, or visit www.virr.com or www.mauimarathon.com. September 19, 20, and 21, 2008.

Na Wahine O Ke Kai, Molokai. The top women canoe paddlers from across the state will arrive at Hale Lono Harbor on Molokai and paddle across the ocean to Oahu. Call tel. 808/259-7112 or go to www.molokai-hawaii.com. Mid-September.

Maui County Fair, War Memorial Complex, Wailuku. The oldest county fair in Hawaii features a parade, amusement rides, live entertainment, and exhibits. Call tel. 800/525-MAUI or in July call tel. 808/242-2721, or visit www.mauicountyfair.com. Last week in September or first week in October.

October

Aloha Festivals Ho'olaule'a, Lahaina. This all-day cultural festival, which culminates the end of Maui island's Aloha Festivals Week, is held at Banyan Tree Park and features Hawaiian food, music, and dance, along with arts and crafts on display and for sale. Call tel. 888/310-1117 or 808/667-9194 or visit www.visitlahaina.com. September or October.

Molokai Hoe, Molokai to Oahu. This men's 40-mile outrigger contest starts in Molokai and finishes at Fort DeRussy Beach in Waikiki. Call tel. 808/259-7112 or visit www.molokai-hawaii.com or www.holoholo.com. October 12, 2008.

Halloween in Lahaina, Maui. There's Carnival in Rio, Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and Halloween in Lahaina. Come to this giant costume party (some 20,000 people show up) on the streets of Lahaina; Front Street is closed off for the party. Call tel. 888/310-1117 or 808/667-9194, or go to www.visitlahaina.com. October 31.

November

Daylight Saving Time Ends: Beginning in 2007, most of the U.S. will revert to standard time on the first Sunday in November. Since Hawaii does not observe daylight saving time, starting on November 4, 2008, Hawaii will be 2 hours behind the West Coast and 5 hours behind the East Coast.

Hula O Na Keiki, Kaanapali Beach Hotel, Kaanapali. Solo hula competition for children ages 5 to 17. In its 18th year, this weekend festival celebrates Hawaiian dance, arts, and music. Call tel. 808/661-0011 or visit www.kbhmaui.com. Early November.

Hawaii International Film Festival, various locations on Maui. A cinema festival with a cross-cultural spin, featuring filmmakers from Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the United States. Call tel. 808/550-8457 or visit www.hiff.org. Mid-November.

EA Sports Maui Invitational Basketball Tournament, Lahaina Civic Center, Maui. Top college teams vie in this annual preseason tournament. Call tel. 847/850-1818 or visit www.mauiinvitational.com. Usually held around Thanksgiving.

December

Na Mele O Maui, Kaanapali Resort. Children from Maui and Molokai participate in this annual song contest. Call tel. 808/661-3271 or visit www.kaanapaliresort.com. Early December.

Hui Noeau Christmas House, Makawao. The festivities in the beautifully decorated Hui mansion include shopping, workshops and art demonstrations, children's activities and visits with Santa, holiday music, fresh-baked goods, and local foods. Call tel. 808/572-6560 or go to www.huinoeau.com. Late November and early December.

Festival of Lights, island-wide. Festivities include parades and tree-lighting ceremonies. Call tel. 808/667-9175 on Maui or 808/552-2800 on Molokai. Early December.

Festival of Trees, Lahaina Cannery Mall. Look for decorated trees as well as entertainment. Call tel. 808/661-5304. Early December.

Lighting of the Banyan Tree, Lahaina, Maui. At 6:30pm Lahaina's historic Banyan Tree is lit up with thousands of Christmas lights for the entire holiday season. Santa Claus makes an appearance and choirs sing Christmas carols accompanied by hula. Kids can join a cookie workshop. Banyan Tree Park on Front Street. Call tel. 808/667-9194 or 808/667-9194, or go to www.visitlahaina.com. Early December.

Tree Lighting Ceremony, Ritz-Carlton Kapalua. With the flick of a switch, more than 250,000 sparkling lights will illuminate the 25-foot holiday tree and dozens of pine and palm trees around the courtyards of the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua and throughout the resort. Call tel. 808/669-6200 or visit www.kapaluaresort.com. Early December.

Annual Christmas Light Parade, Kaunakakai, Molokai. A light parade with music and holiday arts and crafts. Call tel. 808/552-2800 or go to www.visitmaui.com. Mid-December.

First Light 2008, Maui Arts and Cultural Center, Maui. The Academy of Motion Pictures holds major screenings of top films. Not to be missed. Call tel. 808/572-3456 or go to www.mauifilmfestival.com. Mid-December to early January.

Ongoing Events

Every Friday night from 7 to 10pm, as part of Friday Night Is Art Night in Lahaina, the town's galleries open their doors for special shows, demonstrations, and refreshments. There are even strolling musicians wandering the streets.

If you are hungry for Hawaiian music, the Slack Key Guitar Concerts, featuring some of the great masters (and soon-to-be masters) of this guitar style unique to the Hawaiian Islands, take place every Wednesday in the Theatre at the Ritz-Carlton, with two shows per night (6 and 8:30pm) from January through March, and one per night (7:30pm) from April through December. Tickets are $45. Call for reservations (tel. 888/669-3858; www.slackkey.com).

On the first and third weekends of the month, Hawaiian artists sell and share culture, arts, and crafts under the famous landmark Banyan Tree in Lahaina. On the other weekends the Lahaina Arts Society has an exhibit and sale of various works of art in the same place.

Every Wednesday at 5:30 and 7:30pm, outstanding contemporary and art films are shown at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului as part of the Maui Film Festival (tel. 808/572-3456 or 808/579-9244; www.mauifilmfestival.com).

You don't have to spend a good chunk of change and order two drinks to experience the Hawaiian art of hula. There are free hula performances every week. In Lahaina: every Saturday and Sunday at 1pm and Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm in the Lahaina Cannery Mall; every Wednesday at 2pm and every Friday at 2 and 6pm at the Lahaina Center. In Kaanapali: every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7pm at the Whalers Village. In Kapalua: every Thursday at 10am at the Kapalua Shops.

It's also fun to check out Maui's outdoor markets, where you can find good deals on gifts to bring home, try the local produce, and meet the locals. Every Saturday from 7am to noon, the Maui Swap Meet is held next to the post office on Puunene Avenue in Kahului. This is Maui's largest outdoor market, filled with everything from produce to Hawaiian art. For upscale culinary items, stop by the Aloha Friday Farmers Market, held every Friday from noon to 6pm at Maui Community College in Kahului. Here you'll find gourmet vendors like Surfing Goat Dairy, Waipoli Hydroponic Greens/Pacific Produce, Alii Lavender, and terrific baked goods from the MCC culinary art students. At the Kaahumanu Shopping Center, Kaahumanu Avenue, Kahului, the parking lot is filled with bargains every Friday from 9am to 5pm. The Hana Farmer's and Crafter's Market, Hasegawa Service Station, Hana Highway, Hana, is a chance to meet local artists and farmers every Thursday from 10am to 4pm. At the Kahului Shopping Center, also on Kaahumanu Avenue in Kahului, you'll get great deals on produce every Wednesday morning from 7am to noon. Arrive early to get the best bargains at the Suda Store, on Kihei Road in Kihei, which hosts an outdoor market every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:30 to 5:30pm. On Lower Honoapiilani Road in Honokowai, you'll find a great farmers market and other items for sale every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7 to 11am.