Special Events in Hana
Taro Festival – March
Celebrate Hawaii's most sacred plant at the yearly Taro Festival while you mingle with the locals and feast on taro recipes that have been handed down for generations. Events include hula dancing, live music and seminars on topics ranging from gardening to rain forest preservation. Kick off your shoes and go native for a day at the Taro Festival!
Alua Island Canoe Race - June
An ideal canoe race for spectators, this annual event begins and ends at the fabulous Hana Bay with gorgeous spots along the way to watch along from cliffs and beaches. Friends and families cheer on their favorite paddlers as they row at top speed for 8 miles, turning at Alua Island just off the shore of spectacular Red Sand beach.
Aloha Festivals Hana Fishing Tournament – October
If you’re a sports fisherman, this event is a dream come true. Whether you like deep sea trolling in a boat, casting from the shoreline or diving in with a spear gun, you can match your mettle with the best in Hana's pristine and abundant waters. Spectators watch from the shore while enjoying picnics and engaging in family-oriented activities like kayaking, coconut husking and net throwing. Hana Play day for kids kicks off at 11 AM, followed by Hana Adult Play Day at 1 PM.
Hana Festival of Aloha – October
This day-long event combines the annual Hana Lei and Floral Show with a parade through town to the Hana Ball Park where local Hawaiian musicians provide tunes and vendors sell homegrown delicacies like poke, ulu (breadfruit) and, of course, taro burgers and chips. Events include a teen night dance, talk story tent and a fishing tournament that welcomes all ages and skill levels.
Hana ‘Imi Na’auao – August
This “Pursuit of Knowledge” festival has been held for the last 15 years at the Hana Store Fairgrounds to celebrate the Hana High and Elementary Schools. Running from 9 AM to 4 PM, this youth-oriented event features a silent auction, local food and Hawaiian music along with cultural demonstrations and booths featuring local crafts. This kid-friendly festival is a perfect way to discover the roots of this East Maui community’s pride in their youth. The festival is held rain or shine and is free to the public. Many vendors donate a portion of their proceeds to Hana school-related activities.