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July on Maui
July 2026 on Maui brings paniolo rodeo traditions, Fourth of July fireworks over resort waters, Obon festival dances at Buddhist temples, slack-key guitar under the stars, and weekly town parties across the island. Here is what to put on your calendar:
Food vendors, local crafts, and a uniquely Maui Western-Hawaiian atmosphere
Why It Matters: This is not a transplanted mainland rodeo. Makawao's paniolo culture predates the American West's cowboy era, and this event is one of the few places you can see that heritage on full display. The parade alone is worth the drive upcountry.
Both the Kaanapali and Wailea resort areas typically put on fireworks displays over the water on July 4th. Exact locations and times vary year to year — check resort websites as the date approaches for confirmed details.
Maui Buddhist temples including Paia Mantokuji Mission and Kahului Hongwanji
What to Expect:
Community dancing around a yagura (raised platform) with taiko drumming
Japanese festival food — andagi, yakitori, shave ice, noodles
Open to everyone, no tickets or reservations needed
Dances typically run Saturday evenings from dusk
Obon honors ancestors and is one of the most distinctly local-feeling events you can attend in Hawaii. Each temple runs its own bon dance on different weekends, so check local listings for the July schedule.
Maui Friday Town Parties
Friday evenings throughout July
Rotating towns: Lahaina, Makawao, Kihei, Wailuku
Free weekly street parties with live music, food trucks, and local vendors. Each town hosts on a different Friday of the month. The Maui County website posts the July rotation schedule.
These are low-key, genuinely local gatherings — a good way to see a side of Maui that the resort areas don't show you.
Napili Kai Slack Key Guitar Concert
Wednesdays, 7:30 PM throughout July
Napili Kai Beach Resort, West Maui
The Masters of Hawaiian Music series features intimate slack-key guitar and ukulele performances in a beachfront setting. Slack-key guitar (ki ho'alu) is Hawaii's signature instrumental tradition, and this weekly concert is one of the best places on Maui to hear it up close.
Book Early: July is peak season. Hotels, rental cars, and popular tours fill up fast. Lock in reservations at least 2-3 months ahead.
Transportation:Rent a car for Upcountry events like the Makawao Rodeo. Makawao is about 45 minutes from most resort areas.
Weather: July is peak summer — expect warm, sunny days in the 80s with trade winds keeping things comfortable. Perfect for beach time and outdoor activities.
Local Tip: Balance organized events with Maui's natural attractions. July's reliable weather makes it ideal for a Haleakala sunrise visit, the Road to Hana, or snorkeling at Molokini Crater.
Dry conditions on Oʻahu today, with breezy wind in exposed areas. Drier weather continues through Wednesday as moisture clears out.
A medium-sized northwest swell will bring elevated surf to north and west-facing shores tonight through Sunday morning—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. Winds remain breezy through Sunday, easing slightly Monday and Tuesday before picking up again Wednesday. A Small Craft Advisory is active through Monday morning for most coastal waters due to wind and sea state. Scattered showers arrive Thursday into Friday.
South and west shore beaches work well through Sunday for calmer conditions. North shore is worth watching tonight and Sunday morning if you're drawn to bigger waves.
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Skies are drying out across Maui today through Wednesday as moisture clears. Winds will be noticeably breezy, especially in exposed and terrain-favored spots.
North and west-facing shores will see elevated surf tonight into Sunday morning as a medium-sized northwest swell moves in—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday morning for coastal waters due to wind and sea conditions. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then strengthen again Wednesday. The next chance of scattered showers arrives Thursday through Friday.
If you're heading to the beach, south and west shores are your best bet through Sunday. North shore is worth watching tonight and Sunday morning if you're into bigger waves.
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Mostly clear and dry today on the Big Island, with noticeably breezy winds in exposed areas and terrain-favored spots. That breeze continues through Sunday.
North and west-facing shores will see elevated surf tonight into Sunday morning as a medium-sized northwest swell arrives—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. South shores stay small. A Small Craft Advisory covers most coastal waters through Monday morning due to wind and sea conditions. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then pick up again Wednesday. Scattered showers arrive statewide Thursday to Friday.
Head to the south and west shores for beach and snorkeling through Sunday. If bigger waves interest you, the north shore has surf to watch tonight into Sunday morning.
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Drier air is moving in through Wednesday. Winds will be noticeably breezy, especially in exposed areas.
Tonight into Sunday morning, a medium-sized northwest swell will push elevated surf onto the north and west shores—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday morning for coastal waters due to wind and sea state. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then pick up again Wednesday. Scattered showers arrive Thursday or Friday.
Hit the south and west shores for swimming and snorkeling through Sunday. If you want to watch big waves, the north shore is worth a look tonight into Sunday morning.
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.
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