193-Mile Kaʻapuni Torch-Lit March Continues Through East Maui

Kaʻapuni 2015 in Hāna Maui, March 2, 2015. Courtesy photo: T.L. Souza.

By Maui Now Staff

The 193-mile torch-lit walk around Maui continues with marchers traveling through the East Maui communities of Kīpahulu and Kaupō today.

The Kaʻapuni or circle-island march is described as a spiritual journey aimed at unity among participants and island districts.

• Participants already visited Kāʻanapali, Kahakuloa town,
• Wailuku, Haʻikū, and Wahinepeʻe at Hāna Highway. Monday’s march through Hāna included stops in Hāmoa, and Koali, with area residents leading the trek through their district.

This second kaʻapuni event comes six years after the inaugural walk held in 2009.

It is also held in conjunction with the close of the traditional Hawaiian Makahiki season of peace, rituals and athletic games.
The public is invited to participate in the pilgrimage by joining in at 12 prescribed checkpoints along the route at designated arrival times.  The Maui march also closes the traditional Hawaiian Makahiki season of peace, rituals and athletic games.

Estimated times of arrival at checkpoints for Maui’s remaining moku, or districts, are as follows:

• Kīpahulu: 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 3.
• Kaupō: 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 3 at Kaupō School.
• Kahikinui: 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, March 4 at Hale Pili, Piʻilani Highway Mile Marker 24.
• Honuaʻula: 11 a.m. Thursday, March 5 at ʻUlupalakua, and 6 p.m. to 4 a.m. Friday, March 6 at Oneloa, or Mākena Big Beach.
• Kula: 9 a.m. Friday, March 6 at Kīhei Youth Center.
• Lahaina: Ending protocol and festival at noon on Saturday, March 7 at Maluʻuluolele Park.