Highly anticipated 98th Maui County Fair returns after six years
WAILUKU (HawaiiNewsNow) - After six years, the Maui County Fair is finally back.
The iconic parade along Kaahumanu Avenue kicked off the festivities at 4:30 p.m.
Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said for many people in the community, it is not just an event. It is a chance to heal, to connect with one another, and to celebrate a beloved tradition.
“People are eager and yearning to come back and be around each other. There’s so much fun. There’s so many memories that people have made in past fairs,” Bissen said.
Whether it’s the rides, the games or the food, the Maui County Fair has something everyone can look forward to.
Fair director Daryl Fujiwara said, “My favorite part would definitely have to be the food. I love the food, and of course, when I was younger, the rides.”
“Probably be the bumper cars,” said Bissen. “Yeah, I would say that was the one I enjoyed the most. I’m not real big on the going around, around in circles, or the roller coaster rides. My kids can tell you that.”
For others, it is the entertainment.
“There’s some great lineups, some of Hawaii’s finest you’ll see them here, Na Leo Pilimehana, Kealii Reichel, Kalani Pea, Nuff Sedd,” said Bissen.
The first fair came to Maui in 1916.
Over the years it’s grown in size and popularity, averaging about 90,000 people over the four-day event.
“I grew up with my grandfather’s kalua pig business, Nakoa’s Catering,” Bissen said. “People who remember the old fairgrounds would know our routine would be to bring in the coconut leaves to do the sidings because we would build out a place for people to eat, put sawdust down, bring in my auntie’s phonograph, put it in the middle, listen to Peter Moon, Sunday Manoa, all the old music, Hui Ohana.”
The last fair was held in 2019. Then the COVID-19 pandemic shut it down.
The event had been canceled every year since. Organizers blamed high shipping costs and staff shortages, leaving many residents disappointed.
Earlier this year, the county appropriated $1.5 million to bring it back. It’s keeping prices the way everyone remembers them from 2019.
“We believe this is what the county needs and the community needs right now, and I’m so glad we can provide it,” Bissen said.
“So much things for everybody. We want you to come and enjoy,” Fujiwara said.
Kaahumanu Avenue will close until 6:30 p.m. from Kahului Beach Road to Liholiho Street.
Parking is available at Queen Kaahumanu Center and Wailuku Garage for free with shuttle service.
Parking is available at Keopuolani Park, Kaiser Wailuku, the Cameron Center, Baldwin High School, or the Boys and Girls Club for $5.
Tickets are available for pre-sale at various locations, or cash only at the gate.
The county is also providing special boat rides and shuttles for Molokai and Lanai residents to attend.
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