#Queen’s Challenge

East Maui Taro Festival crowns winners of 16th Queen’s Challenge

Organizers of the 16th annual Queen’s Challenge awarded top honors to Jake Sipes of Haʻikū and Kuloa Lind of Kīpahulu for their traditional Hawaiian kalo varieties during the East Maui Taro Festival on Saturday.

Calling all Maui kalo farmers: Who among you can grow kalo as fine as Queen Emma?

The Queen’s Challenge competition, which honors Queen Emma and highlights the skills and pride of kalo (taro) farmers across Maui, will take place once again at the 2026 East Maui Taro Festival on April 18 at the Hāna Ballpark.

Queen’s Challenge returning to the East Maui Taro Festival

After a five-year hiatus, the Queen’s Challenge competition—honoring Queen Emma and celebrating the skills and pride of Maui’s kalo (taro) farmers—will return at the 2025 East Maui Taro Festival on April 26 at Hāna Ballpark.