17th Annual Maui Matsuri at UHMC

The 17th Annual Maui Matsuri event will take place this weekend, Friday, May 5, and Saturday, May 6, at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College.

Maui Matsuri. File image courtesy Maui Matsuri.

Maui Matsuri is a chance for the community to honor, celebrate, and perpetuate Japanese culture through festivities.

The Variety Show event will be held on Friday, May 5, at 7 p.m. at the Binhi At Ani community center and will spotlight singers, dancers, musicians, magicians and other talent with some aspect of the Japanese and/or Okinawan culture weaved into its performance.

The program will open with Maui Taiko and feature a performance by special guest Yasu Ishida, a graduate of the Chavez Studio of Magic and former resident magician at the Waikiki Aquarium.

All participants will receive a gift, with awards presented to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners, as well as to the “People’s Choice” Awardee.

The main event will take place on Saturday, May 6, from 2 to 9 p.m. with a host of Japanese and Okinawan activities for all ages at the UHMC Great Lawn.

The event will feature a food zone with booths and food trucks, craft booths, entertainers and demonstrations, contests, cultural exhibits, kids games, crafts, and more. This year’s special guests include magician Yasu Ishida, Shakuhachi player Kyle Chew, and Taiko Center of the Pacific under the direction of Kenny Endo!

Matsuri organizers are looking for contestants to enter the following festival contests on May 6: cosplay, video-gaming, manga and art, and natto and saimin eating. Those who are interested in entering the contests can do so at the festival. For a complete listing of contests and contest guidelines, visit the festival website.