3rd Annual Haunted Haʻikū Hike, Oct. 24-26, 2014
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By Wendy Osher
Halloween is big on Maui as evidenced with thousands of people showing up for street festivals, themed hikes, and obstacle courses.
Now in it’s third year, the Haunted Haʻikū Hike offers both day and nighttime events, geared toward different age groups and adventure types.
Event organizers say the attraction is expected to draw an estimated 1,000 attendees this year.
The venue is open this week, Oct. 24 to Oct. 26, 2014, at Awalau Farm in Haʻikū and includes a Fairyland Day Hike and Music Festival on Saturday and Sunday; and a Scaryland Night Hike on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Fairyland Day Hike and Music Festival:
The non-spooky, and child-friendly Fairyland Day Hike and Music Festival runs from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 25 and 26, 2014.
Event organizers say the daytime venue features a “mythological creature petting zoo, magic, fortune-telling, fairies, and other supernatural creatures.”
The self-guided day hike leads adventurers to the Fairyland Music Festival featuring live folk, rhyme and storytelling music.
Musical artists include: North Carolina based folk-hop duo I,Star; indie-folk storytelling music from the Bay Area’s Marya Stark; and vocal rhythm and rhymes from London-based Treva “Noisy Parrot” Briggs.
Event organizers encourage kids, adults and families to come in costume.
Food and crafts will be available for purchase.
Admission is free for kids 3 years and younger; $5 for children; and $15 for adults and teens.
Scaryland Night Hike:
This guided, spooky adventure hike is recommended for adults and teens only. In fact, just getting there is half the adventure.
The hike is located at Awalau Farm, approximately two miles up from the intersection of Awalau Road and Kaupakalua Road near Hanzawa’s Variety Store. Hikers should follow posted event signs, and carpooling is encouraged.
Event organizers describe the adventure as an “interactive outdoor fantasy-horror theater” and say the hike features a list of characters that are based on the history of the Haʻikū area including: “paniolos, moonshiners, old-time plantation workers, night marchers, and other scary spooks.”
The tour runs every half hour, takes about 45 minutes to an hour to complete, and includes a new grand finale feature this year.
Scaryland is open from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday through Sunday this week.
For tickets and more information visit the Haunted Haiku Hike website.