#Highlight

Maui High graduate Rachel Kondo and husband Justin Marks captured a record 18 Emmys for the series, which was hammered out through a pandemic, work stoppages and plenty of arguments in the writers’ room.

The first-ever “Maui Music & Food Experience” at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center is bringing together a stellar cast of performers curated by legendary Chicago musician and Experience Music Director Nicholas Tremulis from Thursday, Sept. 5 though Sunday, Sept. 7.

Maui musicians won multiple awards and were showcased throughout the event, which took time to recognize the ongoing recovery taking place following the August 2023 wildfires.

Two hālau from Maui brought home multiple awards from 2024 Queen Liliʻuokalani Keiki Hula competition held at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu, July 25-27. The event, now in its 49th year, drew hundreds of participants from 18 hālau across the state, with the largest contingent of 57 dancers coming from Wailuku, Maui.

Most recently, The Sewing Hui collaborated with Maui OnStage for their production of the musical Seussical, based on the works of Dr. Seuss. This production runs from July 12 to Aug. 4, 2024 at the Historical ‘Īao Theater in Wailuku. Costume Director Jennifer Oberg led the passionate team of volunteers in creating a unique costume wardrobe for this whimsical production.

Applications are open for artists 18 years and older, who are residents of the state of Hawai‘i, and want to enter portraits into a statewide juried art exhibition, a signature exhibition of Schaefer International Gallery at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center (MACC), that occurs once every three years.

The Bon dance season is set to make its return to Maui this summer. The Japanese Buddhist tradition of Obon, which is held at various temples throughout Maui County, is a community celebration to honor and offer prayers to the spirits of ancestors through music and dance. The full 2024 Maui Bon Dance Schedule is posted HERE.

In another installment of the Artist 2 Artist concert series, beloved musician Henry Kapono will join forces with Jerry Santos of the legendary band, Olomana. The special guest will be Maui’s own Josh Kahula, the lead singer of Nuff Sedd.

Seabury Hall will host its popular Craft Fair on Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This family-friendly event has become a cherished tradition to kick off Mother’s Day weekend. The Craft Fair transforms the school’s upcountry campus into a bustling marketplace filled with Maui’s best artists, jewelers, crafters, floral gifts, a silent auction, live music, food, and keiki activities.

University of Hawai‘i Maui College has received a stunning art collection titled “Maui Sugar – the Twilight Years.” The gift, totaling 39 works, comes from long-time Kā‘anapali resident Jo Rockwell. Her prized collection is comprised of paintings by local artists and is believed to be the largest private collection of “sugar art.”

Artist 2 Artist, a Maui concert series, sets the stage for beloved Hawaiʻi performing artist Henry Kapono to perform with husband-wife duo Kalaʻe & Kalena and special Maui guest artist Pat Simmons, Jr. at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Friday, April 26.

If Kamalei Kawa’a’s performance struck viewers as emotional, it’s because it truly was. Kawa’a told Maui Now that his Monday night performance was one of the hardest performances, if not the hardest performance he’s ever had to do.

The 2024 Nā Kamehameha Commemorative Pā‘ū Parade and Ho‘olaule‘a is set for Saturday, June 15, 2024. Due to the Lahaina fires, the day-long events will be relocated to Central Maui, featuring a parade route along Ka‘ahumanu Avenue and a ho‘olaule‘a at Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center.  This year’s Hawai’i-wide theme is “He Inoa No Kalaninui Kamehameha” – Honor to Kamehameha the Great. The application is accessible online for parade entries to apply, with a deadline of May 24, 2024.

Ka Lā ‘Ōnohi Mai O Ha‘eha‘e under the direction of Nā Kumu Hula Tracie and Keawe Lopes of Oʻahu took the overall title at the 61st Annual Merrie Monarch Festival, in Hilo Hawaiʻi. The men of Mauiʻs Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi took home third place awards for kāne kahiko and ‘auana performances, as well as the festival’s third place overall award for men. In the women’s division, Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka earned a tie for fifth place in the wahine kahiko division.

Coming up fast are the Kīhei 4th Friday free admission block party, an opening art reception at Hui Noʻeau, and NBC’s “The Voice” Season 24 finalist Jason Arcilla and The Mad Steppas performing at da Playground.

This week on Maui, a musical tribute to Gutsy Women honors Women’s History Month, An African American dance company shares its drumming roots, and Maui Arts & Cultural Center has its annual gala fundraiser. Coming up fast are the Tony Award winning musical Kinky Boots, Maui Pops Orchestra’s music of the Roaring ’20s, and a historic play reviving the memory of Hawaiʻi’s Prince Kūhiō.

This week on Maui, there are free performances by the Brigham Young university jazz orchestra, Brother Noland and renown pianist June Choi Oh, Billboard hitmaker Iration performs at the MAAC, Mantoku Mission holds its annual bazaar, and the Nāpili Farmers Market reopens after the Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire.

This week on Maui, events include performances by former SNL comedian Leslie Jones, a Kīhei Fridays block party, a fundraiser for Hui Noʻeau Visual Arts Center, and a night with Hawaiʻi songwriters Keola Beamer, Henry Kapono and Anthony Pfluke. Coming Soon: The Billboard hitmaker Iration, and Grammy Award winning reggae icon Black Uhuru.

On Maui coming up within a week, there are free concerts by Island Style songwriter John Cruz, The Voice finalist Jason Arcilla, and the Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony with Amy Hānaiali’i. Also, the touring Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble performs. Check out Maui Now’s top 20 list here.

This week on Maui, there’s major tribute concerts to Jimmy Buffet with Jake Shimabukuro and songwriter Mac McAnnaly, and a Willie K Tribute by Makana. There’s also events celebrating Mardi Gras, Valentines Day, Chinese New Year and a football viewing for the weekend.