We’ve officially reached the fall festival season, and some of our favorite recurring autumn events are just around the corner. Let’s start with some free musical events that span the course of a couple October weekends. Both the Ukulele and Steel Guitar Festivals will showcase some of Hawaii’s most recognizable string instruments. Covering multiple days and featuring: master musicians playing classic island sounds; hands on informative demonstrations; free instructional workshops; ukulele exhibits; and much more.
15th Annual Maui ‘Ukulele Festival
This year’s festival starts with a free workshop conducted by ‘ukulele master Roy Sakuma for students of all ages. Lessons are designed for beginning and intermediate players. Students are recommended to be able to hold C, F, G7 chords and they should bring their own instrument. No pre-registration is necessary. All participants will be eligible to enter a drawing to win a fine new ‘ukulele, and will be invited to participate in a performance during the festival on Sunday, playing a song they learn in the workshop.
When: Saturday October 1st, 11am-12:45pm. Where: Morgado Hall, Maui Arts and Cultural Center, 1 Cameron Way, Kahului 96732.
Speaking of Sunday, enjoy a relaxed afternoon on the lawn as acclaimed ‘ukulele musicians fill the air with island music! This year’s lineup of artists includes Raiatea Helm, Herb Ohta Jr. & Jon Yamasato, Ahumanu, Rama, Kamaka & Kalae Camarillo, Anthony Pfluke, Kamakakehau Fernandez, The Hula Honeys, Benny Uyetake, Arlie Asiu, the Kalama Intermediate Ukulele Band, and the Kamehameha Middle School Ukulele Band. The day will also feature prize giveaways, displays of made-in-Hawaii arts and crafts and ono-licious island foods. It’s a beautiful day for the whole family–visitors and residents alike–and best of all, admission is FREE!
When: Sunday October 2nd, 2022 gates open at 2:30 p.m. show starts at 3. Where: A & B Amphitheater, Maui Arts and Cultural Center, 1 Cameron Way, Kahului 96732.
12th Annual Maui Steel Guitar Festival
The Maui Steel Guitar Festival has been developed to promote appreciation and interest in the Hawaiian Steel Guitar as a uniquely Hawaiian music genre; thought to be the only instrument indigenous to Hawaii. This years iteration is a free, weekend long festival that includes a series of ho’olaule’a concert performances as well as a hands-on steel guitar experience.
This year will be a condensed version of prior festivals. School visitations, open stage performances, workshops, kanikapila jam sessions, and the vintage steel guitar exhibit will return in 2023. 2022 will feature O‘ahu steel guitarists Alan Akaka, Bobby Ingano, Greg Sardinha, Joseph Zayac, and Maui steel guitarists Geronimo “Geri” Valdriz, Konapiliahi Lau, and Joel Katz. “NextGen” keiki steel guitarists Mālie Lyman, Joey Misailidis (seen performing below) and Tai Misailidis will also perform.
The festival promotes participation by local residents, particularly young people, through community outreach programs utilizing teams of performers and music educators that will visit several Maui schools. These teams will discuss with students the history of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar, demonstrate playing techniques and the importance of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar in the Hawaiian music genre and perform Hawaiian music to encourage interest and participation at the festival’s workshops.
When: Saturday, October 15, 2022, from 11am-4pm. Where: The Shops at Wailea, 3750 Wailea Alanui Dr, Wailea, 96753
Sunday, October 16, 2022, from 11am-4pm. Where: Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center, 275 W Kaahumanu Ave, Kahului, 96732
5th Annual Maui Salsa Bachata Conference
Following the musical theme is the 5th Annual Maui Salsa Bachata Congress! This four day celebration is highlighted by dance workshops, classes, performances, and parties with world-class artists and dancers. The largest party of the event will be the night of Saturday, October 8th, headlined by legendary Charlie Aponte and his Orchestra. The entirety of the conference will encourage you to learn, connect, and celebrate with others who share a similar passion for dance. Featured Artists and Instructors: Adolfo Indacochea with Latin Soul Dancers, Tania Cannarsa, Ataca & La Alemana, El Tiguere & Bianca… and many more. Be sure to take a peek at the video below for a festive recap of the most recent congress!
When: October 6th – October 9th, 2022. Where: Westin Maui Resort & Spa, 2365 Kaanapali Pkwy, Lahaina, 96761. Tickets start at $40 for individual parties, $150 for the Saturday concert, and $300 for the entire congress, and are still available here.
14th Annual Paddle for Life Fundraiser
In one of our islands more powerful fundraisers, over 300 cancer survivors and supporters will paddle six-person outrigger canoes on a 22-mile round trip journey. This weekend is to raise funds for the Pacific Cancer Foundation in their 14th Annual Paddle for Life fundraiser. It’s not a race… it’s a voyage, and all of our Maui ‘ohana are invited to join for the event.
The voyage is rich in ceremony: from hundreds of paddlers joined hand in hand during chants in Hawaiian, to a mile-long 260 pound locally handmade ti leaf lei carried from island to island as a symbol of peace, to a gift exchange of ‘ulu (breadfruit) trees between island chiefs.
Experience Hawaiian culture through paddle, ceremony, chants and a BBQ on the beach!
“There is truly a remarkable parallel between an ocean paddling voyage and the journey experienced by cancer patients and survivors. Both involve tremendous physical, mental and emotional strength. Both require patience and perseverance. And, ultimately, it takes a team to make the journey successful.” —Pacific Cancer Foundation
This years fundraiser focus is on these 6 words: Ho’ohui (pull together); Ho’oma’a (practice); Ho’omanawanui (patience); Malama (to take care of properly); Kokua (help without expectation); and Kakou (all of us).
12th Annual Hawaii Food & Wine Festival
The Hawaii Food & Wine Festival is the premier epicurean destination event in the Pacific. The year’s festival features a roster of more than 150 internationally renowned master chefs, culinary personalities, winemakers and mixologists. Its mission is to attract national and international attention to the extraordinary culinary talent and the diversity of quality locally grown products, to ensure Hawaii maintains its competitive edge as a world-class destination. Here on Maui, there are two marquee evening festivities.
First, embrace your inner sommelier and pay homage to big, bold and beautiful wines from across the globe in a grand tasting event under the stars at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. Clink your glass directly with the winemakers while tasting exceptional vintages of full-bodied reds and rich white wines. Plus, you’ll find the perfect pairing among innovative dishes prepared by ten culinary heavy hitters in a lineup of top chefs. And if wine isn’t your beverage of choice, master mixologists will be shaking up craft cocktails to complement the evening!
When: October 22, 2022, 5pm(VIP hour, early entry)-9pm. Where: Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, 2605 Kaanapali Pkwy, Lahaina, 96761. Tickets are $300 for GA/$400 for VIP, and still available here.
Next is arguably the culinary red carpet event of the year! Michelin Stars. James Beard Awards. AAA Diamonds. These three awards are the Oscars, Emmys and Grammys equivalent of the culinary world. Recognizing the best in the industry for their outstanding performance as a chef or restaurant. This evening, indulge in a star-studded five-course dinner from some of the nation’s finest restaurants with wine pairings by Master Sommelier, Chris Ramelb. Host chef Jayson Asuncion welcomes four acclaimed chefs who have a combined total of 18 James Beard Award nominations, six James Beard Award semifinalist nods, five James Beard Award wins, 12 Michelin Stars, and both a AAA Four Diamond and Five Diamond recognition for a memorable evening of culinary excellence at the Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows.
When: October 23, 2022, VIP Cocktail reception 5pm/GA Dinner seating 6pm-9pm; Where: Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows, 2780 Kekaa Dr, Lahaina, 96761 . Tickets start at $350 for GA, $600 for VIP, $6,000 for a VIP table of 10, and are still available here.
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Aloha,
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