Maui’s warm climes, golden sand beaches, unparalleled water sports, unbelievable beauty, and world-class resorts are just the beginning for visitors to the Valley Isle. Throughout the year, amazing festivals, concerts, and other activities entertain, energize, and educate. For the last half of 2016, here is just a sampling of some things to do that shouldn’t be missed.
The 17th Annual Zanshin Daiko Taiko Festival will take place in Kahului June 4 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theater from 7-9 p.m. The highlight is an exciting, powerful performance featuring dozens of talented children playing percussion instruments of varying shapes and sizes. This exhilarating, Japanese musical art form is precisely orchestrated and fast paced.
Fine wines and gourmet foods meet in Kapalua each year for one of the most outstanding culinary events anywhere.
From June 9-12, the 35th Annual Kapalua Wine & Food Festival will provide an extraordinary experience for culinary and wine connoisseurs. Top chefs will prepare delectable dishes, which will be paired with premium wines from around the world. And that’s just the beginning of this premier event that attracts luminaries and many others from around the globe.
The renowned Maui Film Festival at the Wailea Maui Arts & Cultural Center will draw thousands of fans to this outdoor beach party and celebration of movies. There will be panel discussions with directors and actors, screenings, VIP receptions, food events, awards, and tons of other entertainment. The featured venue is the “Celestial Cinema” with films shown on a huge screen on the beach.
The annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival will be jumping June 28, featuring the best slack key artists performing in this free concert from 12:30-7 p.m. The slack key guitar was originated in Hawaii and defines a unique Island “sound.” Workshops on playing the acoustic instrument and craft and food booths will also add to the day of fun and beautiful Hawaiian music. The event will be held at the Kahului Maui Arts & Cultural Center Amphitheater.
July 4 will be celebrated at the 5th Annual Fireworks Show in Lahaina, starting at 5:30 p.m. with food, entertainment, and shopping along famed Front Street. The actual fireworks begin at 8 p.m. Also on this date, luxury and party cruises will be taking place to view the spectacular lightshow over the Pacific. The cruises leave from Lahaina and Maalae harbors.
The largest Maui Halloween event draws as many as 30,000 party goers to Lahaina for an extraordinary Halloween treat.
Halloween October 31 is a street party not to be missed. Called “Maui Madness” and “Mardi Gras of the Pacific,” Front Street in Lahaina is shut off to vehicle traffic and as many as 30,000 costumed revelers enjoy parades, live bands, and a boat load of available food and drink. There are a number of other Halloween bashes around the Island, but Lahaina’s is the largest and most raucous by far.
November 4-5 is the Made in Maui County Festival with over 140 vendors offering Maui-made foods, produce, art, crafts, jewelry, clothing, gifts, collectibles, and much more. The event will be at the Kahului Maui Arts & Cultural Center.
When on Maui, headquarter at the Royal Lahaina Resort, which is near everything and situated on the island’s best beach at Kaanapali. The resort’s Activities Center can help you arrange some of the activities noted here and so many others that make Maui one of the world’s top destinations any time of year. For more information, go to www.hawaiihotels.com.