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Maui
Current Events
Current Events for 2001
Friday, January 26 - Saturday, January 27 - CHINESE NEW YEAR: Lahaina welcomes the lunar New Year with colorful
- and exciting lion dances at the Wo Hing Temple on Front Street.
On Friday evening, the lions parade through town visiting all
the shops. On Saturday evening, the 800 block of Front Street is closed to vehicle traffic for a street festival that begins with a
Chinese martial arts demonstration, followed by live music with traditional drums, gongs and cymbals, and firecrackers
set-off every hour. Booths for food, children's crafts, calligraphy, Chinese massage and more. Free admission; hours:
6 to 9pm.
Wednesday, February 28 - Wednesday, March
7 - WHALEFEST: Lahaina celebrates the annual migration of the
Pacific
Humpback Whales with special guest Jean Michel Cousteau, who
leads whale watching, sailing, and diving tours, as well as a
beach clean-up, all departing from Lahaina. Watch and learn from
marine biologist lectures with slide shows. Have fun
over the weekend (Mar. 3-4) at the Ocean Arts Festival in Banyan
Tree Park. Free admission to exhibits; fees for tours; day
and evening hours.
Saturday/Sunday, April 21 & 22 -BANYAN TREE BIRTHDAY PARTY:
Honoring the 128th birthday of
Lahaina's famous Banyan Tree, this fete includes a birthday cake,
artists displaying nature artworks, hands-on art
activities for children, and exhibits of historical information.
Admission is free; hours: 9am to 5pm.
Saturday, May 12 - Monday, May 28 - IN
CELEBRATION OF CANOES, Maui's Signature Cultural Event:
This celebration
of Hawaii's rich heritage honors the voyaging canoe which united
all of Polynesia. Cultural delegations from Pacific island
nations come together with Master Carvers creating Polynesian
canoes from wood logs throughout the event in Lahaina.
Hosts from Hawai'i welcome each nation in a traditional 'awa
ceremony at the beach on May 12. Enjoy cultural arts demo's
and performances during the week, and a fundraiser lu'au feast
on May 19. Memorial Day Gala takes place May 28, 10am to
10pm, with the Festival of Canoes & Parade, including ancient
warrior demonstrations, Polynesian crafts and food; watch a
ceremonial launching of the carved canoes at sunset, followed
by an outdoor concert with Hawaii's top musicians. Free
admission to most events; fee for lu'au; day and evening hours.
Saturday, June 9 - KING KAMEHAMEHA DAY PARADE & KAMEHAMEHA
THE WARRIOR: A colorful float parade
through Lahaina at 10am features Pa'u riders on horses decorated
with exotic island flowers, marching bands, floats and
more all honoring King Kamehameha the Great. An awards ceremony
and exciting demo's of ancient Warrior Games are held
at Banyan Tree Park with food, crafters and Hawaiian entertainment.
Free admission; hours: 9am to 5pm.
BANKOH KIHO'ALU SLACK-KEY GUITAR FESTIVAL: This free concert
features a dozen of Hawaii's finest musicians
showcasing the art of Hawaiian slack-key guitar playing. Sponsored
by Bank of Hawaii; presented by Ka Hoku Productions;
under the stars at Lahaina Library's oceanfront lawn, 6 to 10pm.
Thursday, September 6 - MAUI CHEFS PRESENT . . . 2001 A SPACE
ODYSSEY: A Maui food-lovers tradition which
spotlights twelve of the island's best and most innovative chefs
at an elegant dinner and cocktail party under the stars, to open
the annual A Taste of Lahaina. This year's Space Odyssey theme
will blast-off at the Lahaina Special Events Arena.
Admission of $95/person includes an evening of gourmet food,
open bar, entertainment and silent auction. Benefits Maui
community groups. Limited to 600 guests; hours: 6:30 to 10 pm.
Friday/Saturday, September 7 & 8 - A TASTE OF LAHAINA &
THE BEST OF ISLAND MUSIC: Maui's largest culinary
festival celebrates 10 years showcasing new and popular restaurants
in Maui County. Also features Hawaii farmers market, a
beer garden, wine tasting, top chefs cooking demonstrations,
kids' game zone, and continuous live entertainment on stage
with Hawaii's current and legendary musicians. Benefits Maui
youth groups. Admission is $1; kids 6 and under are free.
Lahaina Special Events Arena; hours: 5 to 10 pm.
Wednesday, October 31 - HALLOWEEN IN LAHAINA: Celebrated
since 1990 as the "Mardi Gras of the Pacific," this is
more than just a night on the town in costume! Over 30,000 revelers
come to Front Street on Halloween night, which is closed
to vehicle traffic from 4pm to 2am. Annual children's costume
parade down Front Street kicks-off the evening. Other features
are crafters, activities and food booths, live music and dancing.
LahainaTown sponsors The Great Halloween Costume
Contest in Banyan Tree Park which begins at 7pm. Restaurants
and retail merchants offer costume contests throughout the
evening. Admission is free. Shopping centers offer Haunted Houses
for kids during the week.
Friday/Saturday/Sunday, November 30, December 1&2 - FESTIVAL
OF ART & FLOWERS, AND LIGHTING OF THE
BANYAN TREE: At 6 pm on Friday, the historic Banyan Tree
in Lahaina lights up for the remainder of the holiday season
with thousands of colored lights. Santa Claus makes an appearance
and students sing Christmas carols in Hawaiian. The He
U'i holiday craft fair is held under the tree over the weekend.
This tree-lighting kicks-off the Festival of Art & Flowers, a
celebration of the natural beauty of the island's tropical and
protea flowers, along with original art from Maui artists. Old
Lahaina Courthouse is decorated as a tropical wonderland for
the holidays. Enjoy fresh cut flowers and floral art displays,
floral arranging and decorating workshops, artists-in-action,
Hawaiian music and food. The festival runs from 6 to 9pm
Friday, and 9am to 5pm Saturday/Sunday in Banyan Tree Park. Admission
is free; fees apply for classes.
1st and 3rd Weekends of Every Month - HE U'I CULTURAL ARTS
FESTIVAL: A gathering of Hawaiian artists and crafters
display, sell, and demonstrate cultural arts and crafts under
the Banyan Tree in Lahaina, Saturdays/Sundays from 9am
to 5pm. Hawaiian music is featured live, and community members
give talks to relate the Hawaiian art of storytelling, or
showcase the traditional uses of native fruits and plants. It's
something special for the whole family to enjoy; free admission.
Every Friday Evening,Year-round - FRIDAY NIGHT IS ART NIGHT:
Stroll through the more than 15 art galleries in
LahainaTown each Friday from 7 to 10pm for special gallery shows,
featured artists-in-action, and refreshments, all free and
open to the public! Lahaina has earned its nick-name of "The
Art Capital of the Pacific," due to more art galleries per capita
than any other American town.
