Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Hosts Free Hawaiian Cultural Festival Sept. 18-19

Hyophorbe lagenicaulis (Bottle palm) Crown at Holy Rosary Church Baldwin Ave, Maui, Hawaii. January 11, 2007 [http://www.starrenvironmental.com/images/search/?q=070111-3090 #070111-3090</a> - — Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Hosts Free Hawaiian Cultural Festival Sept. 18-19 | Maui Tom's News

The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua will hold its 34th Annual Celebration of the Arts on September 18-19, 2026, featuring two days of free, public Hawaiian cultural programming. Events include hula, music, traditional ceremonies, a falsetto contest, and a special Hōkūleʻa 50th anniversary reunion. Daytime events are free and open to the public, making this a draw […]

James Beard-Nominated Sale Pepe Becomes First Lahaina Fire Restaurant to Rebuild

Tropical waterfront scene — James Beard-Nominated Sale Pepe Becomes First Lahaina Fire Restaurant to Rebuild | Maui Tom's News

Sale Pepe, an Italian restaurant destroyed in the 2023 Lahaina fire, reopened in March 2025 at a new Lahaina location and became the first fire-lost restaurant to fully rebuild in the town. Chef Michele Di Bari was also named a 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist. Sale Pepe reopened in March 2025 at Emerald Plaza on […]

Back-to-Back Storms Moke and Lala Disrupt Maui Travel Plans This Week

White sand beach ocean — Back-to-Back Storms Moke and Lala Disrupt Maui Travel Plans This Week | Maui Tom's News

Two successive tropical systems—Lala and Moke—forced flight cancellations, non-refundable booking losses, and itinerary changes for Maui visitors this week. West Maui faces a Wind Advisory through Sunday evening, while East Maui and the Big Island bear the heaviest rain impacts from Moke. Tropical storms Lala and Moke struck in rapid succession, causing widespread Hawaii flight […]

Haleakalā Summit Stays Shut Weekend; Kīpahulu Side Reopens Friday

Haleakala Crater Summit and Cinder Cones — Haleakalā Summit Stays Shut Weekend; Kīpahulu Side Reopens Friday | Maui Tom's News

Haleakalā National Park’s Summit District remains closed through the weekend as crews clear Tropical Storm Lala damage, while the coastal Kīpahulu District and its campground reopened Friday, August 21. The Summit District — including sunrise parking, crater drives, and Hosmer Grove — is closed through at least the weekend for storm debris removal and facility […]

Haleakalā Ranks Among Top-Rated U.S. National Parks on Google Maps

Haleakala Crater, United States — Haleakalā Ranks Among Top-Rated U.S. National Parks on Google Maps | Maui Tom's News

Haleakalā National Park earned a 4.9-star rating on Google Maps based on over 12,000 visitor reviews, placing it among the highest-rated national parks in the country. Google and the National Park Service also launched a new digital hub featuring virtual tours of more than 60 national parks. Haleakalā received a 4.9-star Google Maps rating from […]

Maui Sees 25% Drop in International Visitors Amid STR Rules and Rising Costs

Coastal golf course with a green fairway, a large white sand bunker in the foreground, and the sea and hills under a cloudy sky.

Maui’s tourism recovery has stalled in 2026, with international visitor numbers down 25% as new short-term rental restrictions and higher travel costs reshape the visitor mix. Early 2026 showed strong domestic arrivals, but structural policy changes and global inflation have offset those gains. International visitor arrivals to Maui dropped 25% in 2026, attributed to new […]

99th Maui County Fair Parade Set for Oct. 1; Entry Deadline Sept. 1

Sentry Tournament of Champions Kapalua Maui golf — 99th Maui County Fair Parade Set for Oct. 1; Entry Deadline Sept. 1 | Maui Tom's News

Multiple sources report that the 99th Maui County Fair Parade is scheduled for October 1, 2026, with a registration deadline of noon on September 1. The annual event, presented by Maui Land & Pineapple Company and supported by the County of Maui, draws residents and visitors together for four days of food, entertainment, and culture. […]

OGG to Kaanapali Transfer Options: What Guests Are Using in 2026

OGG - kahului airport, maui — OGG to Kaanapali Transfer Options: What Guests Are Using in 2026 | Maui Tom's News

A current guide outlines the main transportation options for visitors traveling from Kahului Airport to Kaanapali, covering rental cars, rideshares, shuttles, taxis, and public transit. The roughly 26–28 mile route takes 45–50 minutes in normal traffic, but can run longer during peak hours or road incidents. The standard OGG-to-Kaanapali route runs 26–28 miles along Haleakala […]

Maui Music & Food Festival Returns to Kāʻanapali Aug. 21–22

Beach scene with clear blue water — Maui Music & Food Festival Returns to Kāʻanapali Aug. 21–22 | Maui Tom's News

The third annual Maui Music & Food Experience takes place at Hyatt Regency Maui in Kāʻanapali on August 21–22, featuring live music, chef-curated food stations, and headliners Los Lobos and Taimane. The event benefits the Hua Momona Foundation, which supports food relief, Lahaina rebuilding, and a West Maui youth music program. The two-day festival runs […]

Pāʻia Profiled as a Top North Shore Stop for Visitors Headed to Hāna

Kenolio Beach, also known as Kihei Wharf, is located just south of Kihei Beach Resort. This is a long beach but vey rocky. It is not suited for swimming and snorkeling, but is the home of the Kihei Ou — Pāʻia Profiled as a Top North Shore Stop for Visitors Headed to Hāna | Maui Tom's News

A travel guide highlights Pāʻia as a popular visitor destination anchored by windsurfing, walkable shops, and beaches, and a natural first stop for tourists driving the Road to Hāna. Pāʻia draws international visitors primarily for windsurfing and kiteboarding at Hoʻokipa Beach Park. The town’s compact, walkable commercial strip along Hāna Highway and Baldwin Avenue supports […]