#Maui Academy of Performing Arts

Two Maui nonprofits – Grow Some Good and the Maui Academy of Performing Arts – have received $15,000 each from AARP’s Community Challenge grant program to improve Maui communities and make them more livable, especially for kūpuna.

Maui Academy of Performing Arts (MAPA) is launching the final phase of its $15 million capital campaign to create the Main Street Arts Project, MAPA’s new performing arts campus in Wailuku. This project is the culmination of MAPA’s decades-long dream to own its own home and revitalize Wailuku through the arts.

Coming up next in MAPA’s Living Room is the comedy “Love, Loss, and What I Wore,” written by Nora and Delia Ephron and based on the bestselling book by Ilene Beckerman.

One lane on Main Street (Route 32) in Wailuku between Mile Posts 0.21 and 0.23 will be closed for sidewalk replacement work as part of the Maui Academy of Performing Arts (MAPA) Black Box Theater project.  

Hawai’i’s top-selling female vocalist of all time, Amy Hānaialiʻi, returns to her roots in musical theatre to perform with professional actor Richard Cray in MAPA’s production of the iconic musical “Man of La Mancha,” opening Friday, Aug. 16. With a cast of 20 and a 16-piece live orchestra, Man of La Mancha runs Aug. 16-25 at Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theater.

Following a comprehensive search, Maui Food Bank has named Lisa Paulson as chief executive officer, effective Aug. 19, 2024. The appointment comes at a critical time as the organization addresses a 65% surge in food insecurity needs due to the recent Maui wildfires.

Hawai’i’s top-selling female vocalist of all time, Amy Hānaialiʻi, will return to her roots in musical theatre to perform with professional actor Richard Cray in MAPA’s production of the iconic musical Man of La Mancha. The show runs August 16-25 at Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theater.

Maui Academy of Performing Arts has received a $1,000,000 donation for its new black box theatre in Wailuku from philanthropist Susan Naylor Moulton. Currently under construction, the Naylor Family Theatre will open in spring 2025.

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.

Maui Academy of Performing Arts has started construction on its new black box theater in the former National Dollar Store building at 2027 Main Street in Wailuku. With plans to consolidate programming in the new facility, the Board of Directors made the decision to list MAPA’s other two commercial buildings across the street for sale with Commercial Properties of Maui.  

This week on Maui is an incredible lineup of music, with Mr. Las Vegas crooner Wayne Newton, C&K’s Henry Kapono in a 50th Anniversary of the duo and Grammy winner Kalani Pe’a with Maui Pops. Find our comprehensive listing HERE.

The Maui Academy of Performing Arts presents its latest production, “The Lion in Winter,” with performances Nov. 30 to Dec. 3 and Dec. 14 to 17. This classic play, set during the reign of King Henry II, features Broadway veterans Paul Jackel and Peggy Harmon, along with Jefferson Davis, Shane Borge, Rocco Dahl, Mehra Park and Joseph Duncan.

Topping our 20 things to do on Maui this week is the three-day Gathering of the Voyagers event in Wailea that celebrates Polynesian culture through story, music, voyaging and dance. Find our comprehensive listing HERE.

Noah Haidle’s play, “Birthday Candles,” directed by David C. Johnston and featuring a talented cast of Maui actors, will take center stage at the Maui Academy of Performing Arts from Oct. 6 to 22.

Maui Academy of Performing Arts’ Summer Musical Theatre Camp production of Disney’s Finding Nemo Jr. opened Thursday night.

For a list of upcoming events, concerts, shows and entertainment for April 20-26, find our comprehensive listing HERE.

For a list of upcoming events, concerts, shows and entertainment for March 2 – 8, find our comprehensive listing HERE.

For a list of upcoming events, concerts, shows and entertainment for Dec. 8-14, find our comprehensive listing HERE.

A Small Business Saturday event takes place this weekend, Nov. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Wailuku Town. This year, there are 13 participating shops and retailers on Market and Main Streets.

For a list of upcoming events, concerts, shows and entertainment from Aug. 25-31, find our comprehensive listing here.