Maui Arts & Cultural Center welcomed three lovely, distinctly recognizable voices, all rich in Hawaiian musical tradition, numerous Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards, for one night only in the intimate McCoy Studio Theater.

The Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts has nominated every one of Abe Lagrimas' albums (Dimensions, A Pass Out Records Christmas, Ukulele Vibes, Solo Ukulele - The King of Pop, Rhythm & Uke) in the annual Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. His first win was for his Solo Ukulele album: a tribute to Michael Jackson that showcased unique arrangements of Jackson’s music.

With the Hula Preservation Society, a performance and discussion on an ancient hula form was held focusing on Hula Ki‘i—dance with an image, or as an image—shared by three lines that actively practice it today. Featured ki‘i practitioners who participated in the event included Kapono‘ai Molitau, Auli‘i Mitchell, and Mauliola Cook.

The Maui community enjoyed a relaxed afternoon on the lawn as acclaimed ‘ukulele musicians filled the air with island music for this free annual concert. Renowned ‘ukulele advocate and teacher, Roy Sakuma, served as M.C. to help celebrate Hawai‘i’s beloved instrument. Fine ‘ukulele were featured as door prizes, and the festival also featured displays of made-in-Hawaii arts and crafts and ‘ono-licious island foods.

This exhibit, offering a distinguished collection of forty-two works of traditional Hawaiian crafts, paintings, and prints, bears the name He Makana, meaning “a gift,” in the Hawaiian language and was given  to the State of Hawai‘i through the Hawai‘i State Art Museum, in honor of the life of Mary Joan Damon Haig, by her son Michael Haig.

The 12th annual event, Maui's only adult hula competition, featured award-winning hālau competing in solo and group performances. Male and female dancers performed both kahiko (traditional) and ‘auana (modern) hula stylings, judged by renowned, prestigious kumu hula.

Dressing an ‘olapa (dancer) is done with mindful and creative decisions. A panel discussion was held with several Maui Kumu Hula to hear about traditions they carry in respect to costuming their hālau, what inspires them, what doesn`t, are there “trends” and do they follow them, plus experience each of them taking you through the step-by-step process of dressing an ‘olapa.

A documentary film that follows the journey of breadfruit in Hawai’i, starting with the Polynesian voyaging canoes that brought the plant from Tahiti. The screening was followed by a discussion with the film's producers, John Antonelli and Matt Yamashita, along with some Maui-based ‘ulu experts, including Mike Opgenorth, director of Kahanu Garden and Preserve; Hōkūao Pellegrino, land education specialist for Kamehameha Schools and co-owner and manager of Noho'ana Farm; and John Cadman from the Maui Breadfruit Company.

In one of Maui’s favorite FREE family events, some of Hawai‘i’s best slack key guitar players performed a full afternoon of melodious Hawaiian music. Ki ho‘alu, translating literally from the Hawaiian as “loosen the key,” indicating the tuning in slack key guitar technique, is a musical tradition dating back to 19th century paniolo who played around the campfire after completing a day of ranch work.

The PA’I Foundation launched Maoli Arts Month (MAMo) on O‘ahu in 2006 to celebrate and promote the work of contemporary Hawaiian artists and designers.  Part of that celebration is the MAMo Wearable Art Show, which has taken place annually in Honolulu since 2006.  The event returned to Maui for a fourth consecutive year, featuring the designs of contemporary Island designers whose creations extend from comfortable to traditional to cutting-edge to downright fantastical.

This retrospective honored Piero Resta (1940 – 2015), an artist whose career spanned more than 50 years of creative exploration. The selection of drawings, paintings, and sculpture revealed the axial relationship of his Italian heritage with its ancient artistic traditions and architecture, with the influences of living on Maui. 

The annual tradition of a Maui Lei Day concert at the MACC with Robert Cazimero is always a celebratory event! Audiences look forward to a special blossom in their lei of concert memories! Enjoy the smooth showmanship, talent, and graciousness of Robert Cazimero, along with contemporary Hawaiian music and hula. Preshow festivities included hula and music in the courtyard and island crafters were on hand with a selection of fragrant lei to make your day.

Students from Kamehameha Schools–Hawai’i Campus showcased their talents in fine art, Hawaiian language, chant, solo and choral singing, dance, instrumental performance, and drama with a presentation of the Hawaiian language opera, Hā‘upu, based on the legend of Hina and her son, Kana.

The MACC audience enjoyed an evening with Kuana Torres Kahele, a musician, vocalist, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and more, known for his poetry laden lyrics. He is one of the most popular entertainers performing in Hawai‘i and Japan. Kuana currently maintains his own Hawaiian music & culture school in Japan. He teaches in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka with over 200 combined students.

The musicians of Keauhou find passion and joy in the performance, preservation, and perpetuation of traditional Hawaiian music. The Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning trio includes Kamehameha Schools graduates, Kahanuola Solatorio, and brothers, Nicholas and Zachary Lum. They strive to bring forth inspiration from Hawaiian music of the eras preceding them, and contribute to a renewed respect and interest for the incomparable beauty of traditional Hawaiian music.

Renowned for his super-fast and complex finger work, ‘ukulele wizard Jake Shimabukuro has redefined the meaning of music that comes from that instrument. There is no doubt that for his popular appearances at the MACC, Jake Shimabukuro embodied the heart and soul of ‘ukulele music. For this special evening, Jake was joined by the full Maui Pops Orchestra, adding a lush symphonic accompaniment for an even greater occasion.

A multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winner with his debut solo album Ahuwale, Chad appeared on concert to showcase his accomplishments as a composer, musician, and leo of Hawaiian music.