1. Maui Onion Festival at the Whalers Village in Kaanapali – Saturday, May 5 There are onions. And then there are Maui Onions. Believed by many to be the sweetest onions in the whole wide world, these glorious bulbs are the star of our annual festival. The Maui Onion Festival has been a signature event at Whalers Village since 1990. It’s dedicated to the cultivation and promotion of the world-famous Maui Onion and is attended by thousands of visitors and residents every year.
2. Maui Matsuri, Saturday, May 12th, 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm University of Hawaii – Maui College The 12th Annual Maui Matsuri scheduled for May 11-12, honors Japanese cultural traditions with its annual theme of “Kodomo No Tame Ni (for the sake of the children).” Young and old alike will delight in this year’s offerings of art, entertainment, contests, crafts and food. A free Family Movie Night will be held on Friday, May 11, in the University of Hawaii – Maui College Student Center (Pilina Building). The Matsuri festivities continue on Saturday, May 12, from 2 to 9 p.m. at University of Hawaii – Maui College, where Matsuri organizers will transform the grassy knolls of the campus into a bunkamura (Japanese village), dotted with stalls selling mouth watering goodies and a variety of crafts. The demonstration and entertainment stages will showcase the best of Maui County’s Japanese and Okinawan talent as well as traditional martial arts and eating contests. Contestants are also being sought for the saimin and natto eating contests, and the costume cosplay (costume play) contest. Keiki have a world of their own at the Kodomo Korner where tons of hands-on free craft activities such as origami and gyotaku (Japanese fish printing) will be available. Japanese superheroes Kikaida and his friends headline the event at 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. The festival ends with a community obon dance starting from 7:30 pm. The community is invited to wear a hapi coat or kimono and join in on the dancing. Admission to the festival and parking are free.
3. Maui Brewers Festival 2012 – Saturday, May 19, 3:00 PM til 7:00 PM at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center (MACC) Pavilion/Amphitheater Maui Brewers Festival 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 two dozen craft breweries, sampling appetizers from Maui’s popular restaurants, live entertainment with island bands and prize giveaways. Paid general admission includes eight 4 oz. samples of micro-brews and imports, unlimited island-style dishes and parking. A Happy Hour connoisseur package is available for early entry at 2 pm, reserved parking and more. The event is a fundraiser for the MACC with net proceeds benefiting its arts and educational programs for students, seniors and the Maui community. Follow us on Twitter @mauibrewfest. This event is for adults 21 years & over 267. General Admission $45/in advance, $55/on event day; Happy Hour Package $75/in advance, $85/on event day (plus applicable fees)
4. Ka‘anapali Beach Resort will welcome 60 of the best watermen and women who practice ancient Hawaiian canoe sailing at the 7th annual Wa‘a Kiakahi Festival, June 1-3. Events will include traditional Hawaiian welcome and farewell ceremonies, sailing canoe rides, celestial navigation and history talks, and race viewing. Created by the Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association (HSCA), Wa‘a Kiakahi is anevent dedicated to traditional Hawaiian canoe sailing and the education of its history. Contrary to ordinary outrigger canoe paddling, HSCA honors how the ancient Hawaiians actually traveled between the islands: members do not make crew changes during races and they travel every island channel that connects the Hawaiian islands. The mission of the Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association (HSCA) is to learn, revive,educate and practice the ancient Hawaiian skills and values as they relate to sailingcanoes and the Hawaiian culture. HSCA is the only Hawaiian sailing canoe association in the world and is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2012. For more information, visit the Kaanapali Resort Blog.
5. Kapalua Wine & Food Festival on June 8–10, 2012 A collaboration of Kapalua Resort partners creating a new spin on the longest running food and wine event in the USA and showcasing why we are “Lucky Live Hawaii!” This celebration of the finest in food and wine will embrace all things Hawaiian, especially the fabulous culinary bounty on Maui and here at the world renowned Kapalua Resort.
On Friday, June 8, there is a Festival Golf Tournament at The Bay Course
Pair up perfectly with Festival winemakers, speakers and guests for a game of gently rolling fairways and scenic ocean views with complimentary awards luncheon to follow: Wine Seminar – 1:30 pm – 3 pm; The Grand Tasting – 6 pm – 9 pm
Let your palate explore hundreds of celebrated wines from regions around the world and savor the cuisine of local culinary stars and locally grown produce. Live local entertainment. The grand finale event showcases Maui’s top chefs and the bounty of the Pacific! Enjoy wine, beer and spirits while you mingle with winemakers, chefs and friends right on the Beach House Lawn! And dance on to the live entertainment featuring live local entertainment. Call for tickets & more information: 808-665-7231
6. Maui Film Festival – June 13-17, 2012, 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 the Wailea Resort; Castle and McCoy Theatres are at Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Special events include the celebrity Tributes, Starry Night Moon Dance; Taste of Chocolate; Taste of Wailea, plus filmaker panels and industry awards.
7. Na Kamehameha Commemorative Pau Parade & Hoolaulea at
Kamehameha Iki Park – Old Armory Park 500 Front Street, Lahaina, Maui on June 16, 2012 9:00am – 4:00pm
Hoolaulea Opens at 9:00AM Pau Parade Begins at 9:45AM. This event is to honor the Kamehameha Lineage with a day of celebration and commemoration in the center of the first capital of Hawaii. Pau Parade will commence at 9:45am from Kenui St. down Front St. to Shaw St., Hookupu Ceremony, Games, Entertainment, Food, Crafters, Exhibits and Tours.
The Pau Parade will commence at 9:45 am from Kenui St. down Front St. to Shaw St. Six Commentary Stations along Front St, Longhi’s, Kimo’s, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Lahaina Pizza Co., Wharf Cinema Center, and Kamehameha Iki Park! Contact Daryl Fujiwara at 808-264-8779 or e-mail him at sfdhawaii@gmail.com for more information.