Maui’s tourism industry continues to face perhaps its biggest challenge ever, in the aftermath of the Lahaina fire of nearly one year ago. That, together with anti-visitor sentiment, extreme costs, vacation rental conundrum, and other factors, are preventing Maui from achieving anything akin to normal tourism performance.
As the island continues to seek a path forward towards recovery, a three-day extravaganza event is being planned from September 5th to 7th. The Hua Momona Foundation’s inaugural Maui Music & Food Experience, will celebrate the island’s rich cultural heritage while providing essential support to those directly affected by the fires.
The Maui Music & Food Experience will be held across three picturesque Maui locations.
Hua Momona Farms, Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, and the Maui Arts & Cultural Center will be the event locations. The event will raise vital funds for food, housing, and mental health resources needed for ongoing recovery efforts.
With Maui’s tourism sector still reeling from its multitude of issues, this initiative also is focused on boosting visitor engagement wile support the local economy.
Tourism remains a cornerstone of Maui’s economy, and through this event, we aim to remind the world of our resilience and the beauty of our island. This experience is about more than just music and food; it’s about coming together to rebuild and support our community.
Gary Grube, Founder, Hua Momona Foundation
Maui Music & Food Experience events:
- Thursday, September 5: “Night at the Farm” – An intimate farm dinner at Hua Momona Farms with world-class wines and solo music performances.
- Friday, September 6: “Celebration at the Ritz-Carlton” – A gala at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Aloha Pavilion featuring celebrity chefs, a live auction, and historic music performances.
- Saturday, September 7: “Music at the MACC” – An outdoor concert at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, followed by a special indoor concert in the Castle Theater, celebrating the 1970 Jimi Hendrix concert in Maui.
The event will feature a lineup of renowned musicians, including legends including Billy Cox, Ernie Isley, and Daryl Jones, as well as local artists.
Maui Music & Food Experience renowned chefs:
Curated culinary experiences be courtesy of top chefs, including TV’s Next Level Chef Gabi Chappel, whose coach and mentor is Gordon Ramsay as well as Huamamona Farm’s own Zach Laidlaw, plus Christina Miros, Von Smith and Mada Abdelhamid.
Cost to take part in the Maui Music & Food Experience.
This is a benefit and the costs are starting at $275 for two persons. That is for bronze level sponsorship. which includes admission for Music at the MACC. See their website for details.
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Is there an update on the Park Maui plan to implement parking fees and restrictions (ie locals only parking till 10 am) at beaches and other locations? Ditching this plan would go a long way to assuring visitors that they are still welcome. For us it was the last straw in our decision that we would go elsewhere for vacations. Restrictions and fees aimed solely at visitors send a very loud “stay away” message.
I live in Lahaina and the so called “anti-visitor” sentiment you discuss represents is a very small group of people and sadly they get the only attention. The vast majority of us welcome visitors with open arms and tears of thanks! And it is Not expensive, not even close, if you stay in the still legal and open STVRs. In fact many are offering the lowest prices in 25 years to entice visitors to come back now. Maui Is Open and desperately in need of our visitor friends. Please come back and help us recover.