Hawaii Symphony Orchestra Brings Free ‘Mele for Maui’ Concert to Kā’anapali Sept. 19
Multiple outlets report that the Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra will perform a free outdoor concert in Lahaina’s Kā’anapali on September 19, marking the orchestra’s first full return to Maui in a decade. The event is framed as a symbol of Lahaina’s ongoing recovery from the August 2023 wildfire that killed 101 people. The ‘Mele for Maui’ […]
Festivals of Aloha 2026 Events Span Maui, Lānaʻi, and Molokaʻi This Fall
Festivals of Aloha has released its 2026 schedule, with cultural events running September through October across Maui County under the theme ‘Ea Mai Ke Kai Mai – Rise Up from the Sea.’ Events are open to both residents and visitors. Events take place September through October in Wailuku, Wailea, Hāna, Makawao, Lānaʻi, and Molokaʻi. Highlights […]
Festivals of Aloha Launches Sept. 4 at Wailuku First Friday
Wailuku First Friday on September 4, 2026 kicks off this year’s Festivals of Aloha celebration with live music, local vendors, and art events in Wailuku Town from 6–9 p.m. The event is open to residents and visitors alike. The event runs Friday, September 4 from 6–9 p.m. on Market Street in Wailuku, with free parking […]
Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Hosts Free Hawaiian Cultural Festival Sept. 18-19
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
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
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
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
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
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
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. […]