Tag: Maui tourism

HTA Releases 2026–28 Tourism Management Plans Targeting Stressed Hotspots

The Hawaii Tourism Authority has published new three-year Destination Management Action Plans for all major islands, identifying high-traffic sites under strain and outlining community-guided steps to manage visitor impact. Maui’s plan focuses on the Hāna Highway corridor and Ke’anae Peninsula. HTA’s 2026–28 DMAPs cover Maui, Moloka’i, Lāna’i, O’ahu, Kaua’i, and Hawai’i Island, each targeting specific […]

Free Hula Festival Returns to Kāʻanapali Beach Aug. 21–22, 2026

The Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival will be held at the Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows on August 21–22, 2026, featuring two days of free hula performances, cultural workshops, and local vendors. The event marks the festival’s return to Lahaina at the resort’s reimagined Kāʻanapali Beach property. The two-day festival runs Friday evening (5:30–9 p.m.) […]

Maui June Visitors Up 1% But Average Stay Drops Sharply

Maui saw modest year-over-year gains in visitor arrivals and spending in June 2026, though the average length of stay fell nearly a full day compared to last year. Domestic travelers offset declines in Japanese and Canadian visitors. Maui welcomed 229,197 visitors in June 2026, a 1% increase over June 2025, with spending rising to $516.4 […]

Major Sand Restoration Project Proposed for Eroding Kaanapali Beach

A private resort group and a Maui nonprofit are pursuing a large-scale beach rebuilding project at Kaanapali, using offshore sand to widen areas that have narrowed over time. The proposal is still in state review with no confirmed construction date. The Kaanapali Operations Association and Pilikahakai Foundation plan to move roughly 75,000 cubic yards of […]

Wailuku First Friday Hosts Breakdancing Competition Aug. 7

The 12th annual Uptown Getdown breakdancing competition returns to Wailuku’s First Friday event on August 7, running from 6–9 p.m. on Market Street. The free monthly event draws both residents and visitors with entertainment, food, and local shopping. Uptown Getdown, a 1-on-1 breakdancing tournament, takes place August 7 from 6–9 p.m. on Market Street in […]

HTA-Funded Volunteer Program Addresses Maui’s Unguarded Beach Safety Gaps

The Maui Nui Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaiʻi is recruiting volunteers to educate beachgoers about ocean hazards at unguarded Maui beaches. The program is funded by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and runs in partnership with Maui County Fire and Public Safety. Aloha Kai Safety Ambassadors will station volunteers at high-risk unguarded beaches to warn visitors […]

Ali Wong Brings Stand-Up Shows to Maui Arts & Cultural Center July 30–31

Emmy-winning comedian Ali Wong will perform two nights of stand-up at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on July 30 and 31, 2026. The shows draw on material from her 2024 Netflix special ‘Single Lady.’ Ali Wong performs at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on July 30 and July 31. Wong is a two-time […]

HTA Awards Cultural Grants to Four Maui Nui Organizations

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority has awarded cultural preservation grants to four Maui Nui organizations through its Kūkulu Ola program, part of nearly $900,000 distributed to 30 groups statewide. Funded projects run through year-end and include cultural programming accessible to both residents and visitors. Hāna Arts, Ka Ipu Makani Cultural Heritage Center, Kīpahulu ʻOhana Inc., and […]

HTA Selects 12 Maui Groups for 2026 Community Tourism Program

The Hawaii Tourism Authority has chosen 12 Maui organizations to participate in its 2026 Community Tourism Collaboratives, a program running July through October focused on sustainable visitor experiences and resource stewardship. Participants will receive workshops, training, and tools to develop community-centered tourism offerings. Twelve Maui organizations were selected across two tracks: Community Stewardship (nonprofits managing […]

Waa Kiakahi Canoe Festival Brings Cultural Tourism to Maui’s Northwest Coast

The Waa Kiakahi Canoe Festival, now in its 20th year, draws international visitors to Maui with a 27-mile open-ocean canoe race and cultural programming rooted in traditional Polynesian navigation. The event connects Hawaii with seafaring heritage across New Zealand, French Polynesia, Fiji, and Samoa. Eight teams race approximately 27 miles along Maui’s northwestern coastline using […]