Fall is a beautiful time to be on island. Summer crowds have thinned, the weather is still outstanding and the pace of life seems a bit easier. Plus, our winter gentle giants, Pacific Humpback whales have arrived. This year, fall is a little more Maui magical because large events have started to reappear on the calendar. Here are a few highlights.
Kula Country Farms Pumpkin Patch
There is nothing more adorable than littles picking out their own pumpkin. On Maui, that means Kula Country Farms upcountry, island grown pumpkins on a farm with an ocean view. The area is decorated with plenty of hay bales and fun photo backgrounds to capture the moment. Adults with love the spot too, with food and a large farm stand with local fruits, vegetables and gifts. The Monden ‘ohana has been farming for four generations. Produce is available year round from the farm stand, and also is available at local stores. Admission to the pumpkin patch is $5, and free for keiki (children) 3 years old or younger.
Hawaii Food and Wine Festival, Kaanapali, Maui
Take the nation’s top chefs and blend in dozens of winemakers, mix with ideal tropical backdrops, and you have this fall’s Twelfth Annual Hawaii Food & Wine Festival. This premier epicurean event in the Pacific highlights Hawaii as a culinary destination. Guests will experience the best local chefs and fresh farm-to-table island agricultural offerings grown here. The cuisine is not only innovative, the festival requires all dishes are composed of locally grown, caught and raised ingredients, supporting our local fish, game and agricultural producers. The event actually started on Oahu in 2011 as a three-day festival with a few chefs in Waikiki. Over the years, the Food and Wine festival has grown to a multi-island experience, focused on the element of Hawaii’s culture that bring us together- gathering to eat! The event runs October 22 – 25th at various venues. Tickets start at $300 on the event website for the Maui events at the Sheraton on November 22 and Royal Lahaina Resort on November 23rd.
Halloween in Lahaina
Halloween in Lahaina built global notoriety pre-covid. One element is back this year…the Keiki (kids) parade at 4pm. While the street will reopen right after the parade, expect there will still be sidewalks full of adult merrimakers, and bars in town celebrating Halloween with costume contests and other spooky surprises. Note that adult costumes after dark are often not appropriate for young eyeballs. Have fun and don’t forget a designated driver or Uber.
Made in Maui County Festival
The Made in Maui County Festival is the largest product show on the Valley Isle. Hundreds of artisans, vendors, and craftsmen come from around Maui County to showcase their Maui County-made products: food, produce and plants, arts and crafts, jewelry, fashion, gifts, and collectibles. The event is a great place to find unusual, one-of-a-kind local products for yourself or for gifts to take home to friends and family— just in time for early holiday shoppin on Nov 4 -5.
Whale Watching
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention one of the most beloved recurring events, celebrating the visitors that call Maui home fall through spring- Pacific Humpback whales. One choice to view these gentle giants is a boat tour with Pacific Whale Foundation. They have large, comfortable boats leaving out of both Maalaea and Lahanina harbors. But what really makes the journey special is the on board marine naturalists helping you identify exactly what kind of whales you come across, and a variety of other marine life. For example, did you know there are three communities of false killer whales in the Hawaiian islands? Find out more and book your trip with Pacific Whale Foundation here.
