Family Fun

The annual Chinese Kite Flying Festival pays homage to the diverse world of kites and is in anticipation of national kite month. The festival takes place on Front Street in Lahaina and is the perfect excuse to take the family to Lahaina for some fun! On show will be educational presentations about ancient and modern kites, hands on kite making projects, and various Chinese foods for sampling. On both days at 11:00am, the Chinese serpent kite will take flight to show off its vibrant colors and shapes. You’re even welcome to bring your own kite for practice and tips from the pros! When: Friday, April 6th and Saturday, April 7th from 10:00am to 9:00pm. Where: Wo Hing Museum on Front Street.

This year is the Maui County Ag Festival’s 11th birthday and is aimed at celebrating Maui’s agricultural industry by raising awareness about Maui’s agriculture and the issues surrounding the industry. Hosted by Maui County Farm Bureau (MCFB) in partnership with County of Maui’s Office of Economic Development, the festival is meant to bring together a collection of people surrounding Maui’s agricultural community by supporting the collective good that agriculture brings to the Maui economy, lifestyle, and environment.

• When: Saturday, April 7th, 2018
• Time: 9:00am to 4:3opm
• Where: Luau Grounds of the Maui Tropical Plantation
• Cost: $5 admission for adults (seniors 65+ and children under 18 are free)
• Free parking

The Festival of Colors is a modern American interpretation of the traditional Indian Holi Festival to mark the beginning of Spring and end of winter. It is also meant to celebrate the victory of good over evil, the hope for a good spring harvest, and the diversity of every human being. Hence the variety of colors which represent each individual’s uniqueness and place in the world. To get the atmosphere going, there will be an explosion of color, nonstop live music for entertainment, and all around great company. The climax of the event will be the throwing of colors by the entire festival! Tickets: $20 (includes 1 color pack); $25 (includes 3 color packs); $15 keiki age 6-16 (includes 1 color pack); FREE for keiki up to 5 years (plus applicable fees). When: Sunday, April 1, from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Where: Maui Arts and Cultural Center. 

Not necessarily an event, but the grand opening of Queen Ka’ahumanu’s newest addition, The Keiki Playhouse. Located in the south corner of the 2nd level by Men’s Macy’s, the Keiki Playhouse is the premier playground for children 2 to 12 years old while their parent’s shop. Offering a variety of children friendly games and play spaces including an enchanted castle, pirate cove, veterinary clinic, grocery store, pizzeria and more, it is a price friendly option for parents to utilize while they shop. Play rates begin at $12 per child and can be maximized through a loyalty program. Hours are equivalent to mall hours. 

The Arts & Culture

Queen Ka’ahumanu Center is proud to present the 2nd annual Fish & Poi, a local-style festival with Maui Poke Challenge! The Challenge will be judged in three categories – Keiki Amateur (age 17 years and under), Adult-Amateur and Adult-Professional.  Maui celebrity judging will be based on a point system in the categories of taste, originality and presentation. Toni Rojas, Marketing Director, says, “We had such a great turnout last year that we had to make this an annual tradition. Maui loves poke.” Everyone has a family member or friend who makes great poke, so encourage them to enter. There is no registration fee to enter and we may even see the beginning of Maui’s next best poke chef!  When: Saturday, April 21 from 10:00am to 1:00pm. Where: Queen Ka’ahumanu Center. 

A three day celebration across two locations, the 10th anniversary of Maui’s Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival on Friday & Saturday at Ka‘anapali Beach Hotel and Sunday at Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center. Festivities comprise open stage performances, kanikapila jam sessions, steel guitar workshops, cultural activities, a silent auction and vintage steel guitar exhibit courtesy of Geri Valdriz. The lineup includes a wide array of world class musicians and many of the up and coming artists. When: Friday, April 13th to Sunday, April 15th from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm. Where: Friday & Saturday at Ka‘anapali Beach Hotel; Sunday at Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center.

The 26th Annual East Maui Taro Festival prides itself on showcasing kalo, a.k.a. taro as an important staple food of the Hawaiian diet. Not only does it provide food, but also has spiritually value as it is symbolic of being “Elder Brother” of Native Hawaiians. The festival will have: hula and music performances all day; local Arts & Crafts on display; a Farmers Market with all types of taro for sale and fresh poi; and hands on cultural activities like poi pounding, lauhala weaving, and kapa/tapa cloth making. The main mission of the Festival is to educate people about the value and significance of kalo/taro. When: Saturday, April 21st from 9:00am – 5:00pm. Where: Hana Ballpark. 

E Ho’olele Lupe Kakou! Let’s Fly Kites! is an educational workshop hosted by the Hui No’eau where attendees will learn the origins of kite flying. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of its Hawaiian mythology origin story and gain an appreciation for the stories that make Maui such a unique island. Students will get a first hand experience designing their own Hawaiian kites and be involved with the process from start to finish, including the building of the kite frames, artistically expressing themselves through kapa designs onto fabric, and then brining everything together into a flyable kite. This class is open to families, adults or children with their guardian. When: Saturday, April 28th and Sunday, April 29th from 9:00am to 3:00pm. Tuition fees: $65 and supply fees: $15. Register online at: http://huinoeau.modvantage.com/Course/CourseDetail?courseID=14690&courseName=e-ho-olele-lupe-kakou-let-s-fly-kites

Contact a Maui Real Estate Specialist

Please consider me to be your trusted Maui real estate and lifestyle adviser. I was born and raised on the island, and spend a considerable amount of time to inform my clients about the best deals currently on the market. Don’t hesitate to call me for your any of your Maui real estate needs as I would be honored to assist you in your home search.

Aloha,