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Maui, often called the "Valley Isle," offers an exciting start to the year with its vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and world-class attractions. January marks the peak of Maui's humpback whale season, and the island's event calendar reflects the richness of its natural beauty and community spirit. From athletic events to ocean wildlife experiences, Maui offers various experiences that appeal to visitors of all ages and interests.
Here are some of the notable events and happenings on Maui in January 2026:
Maui Oceanfront Marathon
The Maui Oceanfront Marathon, held on January 18, 2026, is a stunning coastal race that draws runners from around the world. The course follows Maui's beautiful shoreline, offering ocean views throughout. The event includes a full marathon, half marathon, 15K, 10K, and 5K options, making it accessible for all fitness levels.
January marks the beginning of peak humpback whale season in Maui's waters. The warm, shallow waters of the Au'au Channel between Maui and Lanai serve as a favorite gathering spot for these magnificent creatures. Visitors can spot whales from shore at locations like McGregor Point, or join a whale watch cruise for closer encounters.
When: January–March (peak season)
Where: Au'au Channel, West Maui, South Maui
Slack Key Guitar Festivals
Maui's slack key guitar tradition continues in January with intimate performances at venues across the island. Ki ho'alu (slack key guitar) is a uniquely Hawaiian art form, and Maui's musicians keep this tradition alive with regular concerts and festivals throughout the winter months.
When: Various dates in January
Where: Various venues island-wide
January 2026 on Maui offered an exciting start to the year, with the Oceanfront Marathon drawing athletes and spectators alike, and whale season beginning in earnest. These annual events give visitors a preview of what to expect each January on the Valley Isle.
Trades are breezy right now with scattered showers on the windward side and mountains; the leeward coast stays mostly dry. Tomorrow stays breezy with the same pattern.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The exact track is still uncertain. If it comes closer, expect heavier rain over a longer stretch; if it stays farther out, impacts will be shorter and lighter. Winds will increase late this week, with potential gusts over 70 miles per hour on the highest summits.
Plan your leeward beach time and snorkeling for today through Tuesday. Save summit drives and offshore water sports for after Saturday, and check updates daily as this develops.
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Trade winds are pushing across Maui right now and staying breezy through tomorrow. Windward slopes and peaks will see scattered showers; the leeward side stays mostly dry. Rough seas mean a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The track remains uncertain. Late this week, winds will increase across Maui, with summit gusts potentially exceeding 70 mph on Haleakala. The Big Island—especially Hilo and Puna—faces the highest risk of heavy rain and flooding if the storm tracks close.
Leeward beaches and snorkeling work best today through Tuesday. Avoid summit hikes and offshore water sports Thursday through Saturday.
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Trades are kicking today with moderate wind and rough seas. Windward slopes will see scattered showers; the leeward side stays mostly dry. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The track remains uncertain, but the Big Island faces the highest risk of heavy rain and flooding, especially in the Hilo and Puna areas. Summit winds could exceed 70 mph late in the week. Check forecasts daily as the situation develops.
Leeward snorkeling and beach time work well through Tuesday. Save summit drives and windward hikes for today or tomorrow, and avoid offshore water sports and high elevations Thursday through Saturday.
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Trades are steady now with scattered showers on the windward side and ridges; the leeward coast stays mostly dry. Through Tuesday it stays breezy with rough seas around Maui and the Big Island, where a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The exact track is uncertain. Winds will increase across the eastern islands late this week, with potential for summit gusts over 70 mph on Maui and the Big Island if the storm intensifies.
Get your beach and snorkel time in today and tomorrow on the leeward coast. Avoid summit hikes and offshore water sports Thursday through Saturday as conditions deteriorate. The track could shift significantly—check updates daily.
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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