19th Annual East Maui Taro Festival: April 29-31

By Wendy Osher

East Maui Taro Festival, courtesy image.

The community of Hana, Maui hosts the 19th Annual East Maui Taro Festival on April 29-31, 2011 at the Hana Ballpark. Activities include dozens of booths featuring traditional foods, arts and crafts, cultural demonstrations, music and hula.  Other events associated with the festival are Makali`i Voyaging Canoe rides (weather permitting), a taro pancake breakfast and two cultural tours.

The schedule includes the following:

Friday, April 29, 2011:

• 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Makali`i Voyaging Canoe tours and rides at Hana Bay (weather permitting.

Saturday, April 30, 2011: 19th Annual East Maui Taro Festival at Hana Ballpark: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.:  22 Food Booths; 40 Arts & Crafts Booths; Farmer’s Market Tent (festival t-shirts; taro; poi; kulolo; plants; awa; lei); Demonstration Tents (poi pounding; hala weaving; Hawaiian weapons and fishhooks; and Hawaiian games); and Non-Profit Information Tent.

• 9 a.m. Oli by Kaleikoa Kaeo and MCC Students, Pule by Hana Ka`ahumanu Society
• 10 a.m. Pekelo Cosma and Ohana
• 11 a.m. Hula Halau Noe Noe O Kawaipapa
• 1 p.m.  Leokane
• 2 p.m. Hawaiian Serenaders
• 3 p.m. Edmund Kalaola and the Backyard Garage
• 4 p.m. C. J. Helekahi and Friends

Sunday, May 1, 2011

• 7:30-10:30 a.m. Taro Pancake Breakfast & Loco Moco Bowls (tickets available – prices vary)
• 11 a.m.: National Tropical Botanical Garden-Kahanu Garden and Pi`ilanihale Heiau Tour
• 2 p.m.: Kapahu Living Farm Tour – Oheo Gulch, Kipahulu