If you’re visiting Maui this week, there’s a wonderful opportunity to experience Hawaiian culture, music, art and traditions at the 34th Annual Celebration of the Arts, happening September 18–19 at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua.
This beloved annual celebration brings together Hawaiian cultural practitioners, artists, musicians, educators and craftspeople for a weekend dedicated to sharing and preserving the culture of Hawaiʻi. This year’s theme, “Lohe mai i ke aʻo,” meaning “Heed the Teachings,” invites guests to listen to the wisdom passed down through generations.
The weekend offers an impressive variety of experiences. Visitors can enjoy hula and live Hawaiian music, storytelling, cultural demonstrations, educational discussions and a marketplace featuring more than 50 local artists, crafters and Hawaiian practitioners. The Celebration of the Arts Mākeke is open Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
One of this year’s highlights is “Hōkūleʻa at 50: Stories from the Original Crew,” commemorating the 50th anniversary of Hōkūleʻa’s historic 1976 voyage from Maui’s Honolua Bay to Tahiti. Original crew members will share stories and memories from that remarkable journey.
Saturday evening also brings the Richard Hoʻopiʻi Leo Kiʻekiʻe Falsetto Contest, celebrating the distinctive Hawaiian falsetto singing tradition.
Many of the daytime events are free and open to the public, making this an especially wonderful way for visitors to spend a day exploring West Maui while connecting with the culture and people of Hawaiʻi.
If you have a rental car during your Maui vacation, make a day of it. Head west to Kapalua, enjoy the Celebration of the Arts, explore the beautiful coastline and take your time discovering another side of Maui.
34th Annual Celebration of the Arts
📅 September 18–19, 2026
📍 The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
🌺 Many daytime activities are free and open to the public
At Kihei Rent A Car, we love helping our visitors discover the Maui that exists beyond the resort. Pick up your car, get out and explore, and make your Maui vacation about more than just where you sleep. There’s an entire island waiting to be discovered.
