24th East Maui Taro Festival Receives OHA Grant

Poi making. Photo credit: East Maui Taro Festival.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has awarded a $ 7,000 grant to the East Maui Taro Festival to support its annual event held in Hāna, Maui.

The 24th Annual East Maui Taro Festival will take place on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at the Hāna Ballpark from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The event focuses on kalo or taro as a staple food of the Hawaiian diet, as well being the symbolic “Elder Brother” of Native Hawaiians.

The festival features: all day hula and music; local arts and crafts; a farmers market with all types of taro for sale including huli, potted plants, kulolo and fresh poi; a nonprofit information tent; hands-on cultural activities such as poi making, lauhala weaving and kapa cloth making; and 20 food booths, each with a main taro dish or side.

The Tarofest has become known as a “Signature Event” for Maui, attracting residents as well as visitors alike. The goal of the festival is to educate people about the value and significance of kalo.

The East Maui Taro Festival, Inc. is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501c3 organization.

Admission to the annual event is free.