Halloween in Lahaina Back for 5th Consecutive Year

Halloween in Lahaina. File photo by Vanessa Wolf.

“Halloween in Lahaina” returns to world famous Front Street on Saturday, October 31, 2015.  Last year, the same event drew a crowd estimated at 28,000 people, and this year, police are expecting up to 2,000 more people.

Maui Police Captain Sterling Kiyota with the Lahaina District said police are estimating a crowd of approximately 30,000 people since Halloween falls on the weekend.

He said the department will have 100-plus officers working with the traffic section present to patrol the roadways as well.

The Lahaina Town Action Committee and the Office of Economic Development are hosting the family friendly event for the residents and visitors of Maui.

Organizers host a full-return of the event for the fifth consecutive year after a lull in activity between 2008 and 2010 due to a dispute over festivities in the Lahaina Historic District, and failure to secure permits for a road closure on Front Street during those years.

When the event was re-introduced in 2011, it was marketed as a more family-friendly festivity, as organizers and sponsors tried to rid the event of its reputation and nickname from Halloween’s past as the “Mardi Gras of the Pacific.”

The following information was provided by the Lahaina Town Action Committee and Maui Police Department detailing the event schedule, transportation and police presence.

Schedule of Events:

4:30 p.m. / Keiki Costume Parade: Annual Keiki Costume Parade. Sponsored by Soroptimist of West Maui, The Lahaina Rotary Clubs and National Kidney Foundation of Hawaiʻi.

6 to 8:45 p.m. / Costume Contest Signup.  Costume Contest registration will be in a Pioneer Inn Retail Store on Hotel St. Sponsored by Honu Seafood & Pizza and Māla Ocean Tavern.

Banyan Tree Events:

• 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. / Music with DJ Serna: Dance and mingle under the Banyan Tree.
• 7 to 9 p.m. / Costume Contest: On stage under the Banyan Tree. Winners announced at 9:30 p.m. Sponsored by Honu Seafood & Pizza and Mala Ocean Tavern. Emcee’d by Angel O’Brien
• 9:30 p.m.: Costume contest winners will be announced.

Campbell Park Events:

• Noon to 10 p.m. / Commemorative Tee Sale: Official “Halloween in Lahaina” T-shirts.
• 3 p.m. / Family Fun: Food, Keiki Activities, Photo Opportunities and Face Painting.
• 5 to 9 p.m. / Live Music: 5 – 6:30PM Live Music featuring Kanamon & JB.
• 7 to 9 p.m. Live Music featuring 8 Track Players

Halloween Express Shuttle Service: Buses will load and unload in the parking lot found at the intersection of Front St. and Prison St. *Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Tickets cost $7 each way. Tickets must be bought in advance. No reservations. Cash or Online Sales Only. Tickets are non-refundable. All ticket sales are first come and space is limited. Tickets can not be purchased at the bus pick up point, and must be bought in advance.

Tickets are on sale from Oct. 20 until noon on Oct. 31. Remaining return tickets will be available at Campbell Park, Front St. Oct. 31.

Check In 15 minutes prior to bus departure time. No food or beverages may be consumed on the bus.

Tickets can be purchased at the following locations:
Kahului Shell Station: Super Stop 370 Dairy Road
Boss Frog’s: 2395 South Kihei Road (in the Dolphin Plaza)
Campbell Park (return tickets only): Front Street,Lahaina from 3 p.m.

To pre-order Tickets, call 808-667-9193

Routes include:

Wailuku-Lahaina: (service from War Memorial Gym Parking Lot)

• Departs From Wailuku to Lahaina: 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
• Departs From Lahaina to Wailuku: 10:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.

Kīhei-Lahaina: (service from Kīhei Community Center)

• Departs From Kīhei to Lahaina: 4:30 p.m.,  5:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
• Departs From Lahaina to Kīhei: 9 p.m., 10 p.m., 11 p.m. and midnight

Extended Maui Bus Schedule: No Reservations Required. Normal rate of $2 each way or $4 unlimited day pass.

• Kāʻanapali Islander Route 25: Regular schedule until 3:30 p.m. Then every 30 minutes from Wharf Cinema Center making stops at Papalaua/Wainee, Lahaina Cannery Mall and Whaler’s Village. Last bus at 10:30 p.m. (Whaler’s Village Bound).
• Nāpili Islander Route 30: Regular schedule until 9 p.m. then every hour from Whaler’s Village. Last bus at 11 p.m. (Nāpili Bound).

Free Shuttle Service: Ask your concierge about free shuttle service from your hotel for guests staying at the Westin Kāʻanapali Ocean Resorts, Sheraton Maui and Westin Maui Resort & Spa

Police Presence:

The Maui Police Department issued a reminder to the public that there will be road closures and slowed traffic due to this year’s Halloween event.

Police will be closing Front Street from Baker Street to Prison Street at 3:30 p.m. and anticipate on re-opening Front Street at approximately 11 p.m.

Police issued an advisory today saying, “Public safety is our number one concern.”

Participants and spectators are reminded of the following safeguards that will be employed during the Halloween festivities:

No Parking/Street Closures:

Parking will be prohibited in the following areas between the hours of 3:30 p.m., Oct. 31, 2015 and 2 a.m., Nov. 1, 2015:

• Front Street, from Prison Street to Baker Street
• Dickenson Street, from Front Street to Baldwin House Parking Lot.
• Lahainaluna Road, from Front Street to Wainee Street
• Papalaua Street, from Front Street to the entrance of the Lahaina Center

Violators will be cited and towed at their own expense.

Enforcement of Rules and Law:

To ensure a safe and enjoyable time for all, the Maui Police Department will be on special alert for the following violations:

• Drinking of alcoholic beverages will not be allowed or tolerated in public areas. The use ofplastic cups, water bottles, or any other drinking container to conceal liquor consumption is prohibited.
• Open lewdness will not be allowed or tolerated.
• Toy replicas of guns, knives, swords, or other types of weapons utilized as part of one’s costume will be inspected by the police. If found to be real or utilized in a dangerous manner, they will be confiscated and proper charges initiated.
• Throwing eggs, stink bombs or firecrackers may seem funny or amusing, however, it is dangerous and violators will be prosecuted.
• Although creativity is encouraged, costumes that pose a hazard to public safety due to their size or construction will be evaluated and will be banned if deemed inappropriate. Please keep mobility and safety, especially the safety of the pedestrian population at the event, in mind when designing your costume.
• Dogs will not be allowed in the area with the exception of registered service animals.
• Stationary performances within the event area will not be allowed. For example, no stopping to play music or putting on a skit.