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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.
Breezy trade winds are in place with windward and inland showers expected tonight and early morning through Monday. South-facing beaches have high surf through Saturday evening—avoid them if rough water concerns you. East-facing shores will see building swell Sunday as Tropical Storm Fausto approaches. Tuesday and Wednesday the storm moves in with heavy rain, gusty winds, and rough seas on the windward side. Forecasters are still narrowing down the exact track, so check updates this weekend. By Thursday normal trades return.
Leeward beaches work through Monday if you stay clear of the high surf. Plan indoor activities or protected bays for Tuesday and Wednesday when the storm passes through.
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Trade winds are bringing showers to the windward side and inland areas, mostly at night and early morning through Monday. South-facing beaches have high surf through Saturday—avoid them if you're not comfortable in rough water.
Tropical Storm Fausto arrives Tuesday and brings heavy rain, gusty winds, and rough surf on east-facing shores through Wednesday. The storm is moving fast, so rain won't linger in one spot for days. Forecasters are still narrowing the track, so watch for updates this weekend. Impacts could shift depending on whether it passes north or south of the islands.
Leeward beaches work through Monday if you avoid the high surf. Plan indoor activities or protected bays for Tuesday and Wednesday when Fausto moves through.
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Right now you've got breezy trade winds with showers mainly at night and early morning on the windward and inland sides. Conditions stay stable through Monday with the same pattern—showers mostly after dark, trades during the day.
High surf is running through Saturday at 6 PM on south-facing beaches. Starting Sunday, east-facing shores will see advisory-level surf building as Tropical Storm Fausto approaches from the southeast. Tuesday and Wednesday the storm moves near the islands with heavy rain and gusty winds on the windward side. It's moving fast at 15 miles per hour, so rain won't sit in one spot for days, but forecasters are still refining the track—updates this weekend will clarify the exact impacts.
Stick with leeward beaches through Monday if you're comfortable in the current surf. For Tuesday and Wednesday, plan indoor activities or protected bays on the lee side while the heavy rain and wind move through.
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Breezy trade winds this morning with scattered showers on the windward side and inland—mostly at night and early morning. South-facing beaches have high surf through Saturday; skip them if rough water makes you nervous.
Tropical Storm Fausto moves near the islands Tuesday through Wednesday with heavy rain, gusty winds, and rough surf on the east-facing shores. The storm's moving fast, so rain won't linger in one spot. The exact impacts depend on whether it tracks north or south—forecasters are still pinning down the track, so check updates this weekend.
Plan leeward beaches or protected bays through Monday. Once the trades return to normal Thursday onward, conditions settle back to typical.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
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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