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2026 Events and Festivities
Maui's August is quieter than its winter and spring festival season, and that's part of the appeal. The month belongs to Obon — Buddhist temples across the island light their lanterns on weekend evenings — alongside a cluster of West Maui hula and arts events around the 22nd. Here's what's worth planning around.
Obon (Bon Dance) Season
Obon honors ancestors with circle dancing, taiko, lanterns, and food booths, and visitors are welcome to join in. Maui's August dances are among the most moving in the state: the Lahaina Community Bon Dance returns to the Lahaina Jodo Mission grounds on Friday, August 14 — a profound milestone for a town still rebuilding after the August 2023 fire. Upcountry, Kula Shōfukuji Mission dances Saturday, August 15, and Pāʻia Rinzai Zen Mission follows Saturday, August 22. Dates and times can shift, so confirm with the temple.
When: Friday & Saturday evenings through August 2026
Where: Buddhist temples across Maui (Lahaina, Kula, Pāʻia)
This free West Maui hula festival honors the late kumu hula "Aunty" Emma Farden Sharpe with a day of performances, keiki activities, workshops, and local artisans on the resort lawn at Kāʻanapali. It's an easygoing, family-friendly way to watch hula up close without a ticket.
The Maui Arts & Cultural Center's signature gala is back for its 28th year — an evening of Maui chef pūpū, boutique wines, live music, and "Uniquely Maui" auctions that fund the center's arts and education programs. It's a ticketed fundraiser and the dressiest night on the island's August calendar.
August 8 marks three years since the 2023 Lahaina wildfire. The day is a solemn, community-led time of remembrance — paddle-outs, music tributes, and private gatherings — not a visitor event. If you're on Maui that week, the kindest thing you can do is give West Maui families space, support local businesses, and follow the community's lead on where it's appropriate to be.
When: Saturday, August 8th, 2026
Where: Lahaina / West Maui (community-led)
Statehood Day (State Holiday)
The third Friday of August is a Hawaiʻi state holiday marking the islands' 1959 admission as the 50th U.S. state. It remains a contested anniversary for many Native Hawaiians, so we flag it as a practical note rather than a celebration. For visitors it mostly means a three-day weekend with government offices, courts, and public schools closed.
When: Friday, August 21st, 2026
Where: Statewide
August on Maui is more about quiet tradition than headline festivals — lean into the bon dances and the Aug 22 hula and arts events for the real island texture. A couple of common mix-ups worth clearing up: the long-running Maui Film Festival in Wailea ended its run in 2025 (the new Wailuku Film Festival is a June event), the Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival's Maui leg is in October, and the East Maui Taro Festival in Hāna is an April event — none of them fall in August.
Mostly dry skies across Oʻahu right now with good visibility. Light showers are holding to the windward side, nothing heavy.
Today and Thursday stay dry on the leeward and south shores. Trade winds are moderate now and strengthen to breezy by Thursday. Starting Friday, moisture increases and showers become more frequent on windward and inland areas — leeward beaches stay mostly dry but winds build noticeably. Small craft advisories are possible Thursday night in windier waters, then conditions get rougher Friday through the weekend. North and west shore swell holds medium through Friday, then rebuilds over the weekend. South shore swell drops back to normal after today.
Leeward beaches and snorkel spots work best Thursday while conditions stay calmer. Plan water sports in the channels for earlier in the week, before Friday's winds arrive.
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Sky's mostly dry with light showers on the windward side. Trade winds are moderate and visibility is good.
Today and Thursday stay dry on the leeward and sunny sides, though windward slopes will see light showers mainly today. Winds pick up to breezy by Thursday, then strengthen further Friday into the weekend. More frequent light showers move into windward and inland areas Friday into the weekend as moisture increases. A Small Craft Advisory is possible Thursday night in windier waters. Leeward beaches stay mostly dry, but conditions turn windy. North and west shores see medium swell today through Friday, then rebuild over the weekend. South shores stay elevated today, then settle to normal. East shores have small chop increasing as winds strengthen.
Leeward beaches and snorkel spots work best Thursday while winds are still moderate. Avoid water sports in the windier channels Friday into the weekend.
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Mostly clear skies on the Big Island right now, with light showers possible on the windward side. Visibility is good.
Today and Thursday stay dry overall—trade winds are moderate now but will turn breezy by Thursday. Come Friday into the weekend, showers become more frequent on windward and inland slopes as moisture builds in, and winds will strengthen. Leeward and sunny-side beaches stay mostly dry through this period. A Small Craft Advisory is possible Thursday night in windier waters. Surf near the north and west shores stays medium today through Friday, then builds over the weekend. South shores drop from elevated to normal conditions.
Hit the leeward beaches and get in the water Thursday while conditions are still calm. Avoid water sports in exposed channels Friday through the weekend when the wind picks up.
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Mostly dry skies and good visibility today on Kauaʻi. Light showers will stay on the windward side.
Trade winds are moderate now but will turn breezy Thursday, then stronger Friday into the weekend. Windward and inland areas will see more frequent light showers as moisture increases, though leeward and sunny-side beaches stay mostly dry. North and west shores will see medium swell through Friday, then rebuild over the weekend. South shores drop from elevated to normal. East shores develop small chop as winds strengthen.
Head to leeward beaches and snorkel spots Thursday while it's calmer. Save water sports in the channels for after the wind eases.
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Created with AI from this HawaiiGuide page and read by a computer-generated voice. Double-check fees, hours, and reservations on the full page before you head out. Hawaiian pronunciation is tricky for synthesized speech and a few words may land slightly off; mahalo for your patience as we keep refining.
Mele and Kani are computer-generated voice options chosen for clarity and warmth.
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