Live @ the MACC: 30th Annual Slack Key Hawaiian Festival, June 27
One of Maui’s favorite music events returns to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center live and in person, as well as live on Sunday, June 27, with the 30th annual KÄ« HÅÊ»alu Festival.
It’s a Maui and MACC tradition, enjoyed by residents and visitors alike, with some of Hawaii’s best guitarists playing Hawaiian music. This year’s free event takes place in the A&B Amphitheater at the MACC from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., but online pre-registration is required. Doors open at 3 p.m.
Registrations will be available on Wednesday June 23 for MACC members first at 10 a.m. and then for the general public at noon. Those interested in becoming a member can do so at MauiArts.org/membership. The concert will also be broadcast live on the MACC website and on its Facebook or YouTube pages.
As always, the KÄ« HÅÊ»alu festival is free and a family-friendly event where all generations can enjoy the tradition of the slack key guitar, featuring both new music and favorite classics. The 2021 festival musicians lineup includes John Cruz, Jeff Peterson, Kevin Brown and Ola Hou, George Kahumoku Jr., Ledward KaÊ»apana, Kamuela Kahoano, Kawika Kahiapo, Danny Carvalho, George Kuo and Paul Togioka.
Note: The list of artists is subject to change.
Slack key has become one of the best methods of acoustic guitar in the world, especially since the Grammy Awards at one time recognized Hawaiian music as a category in its own right. At MACC, slack key guitar music is celebrated every year in a relaxed atmosphere during the annual KÄ« HÅÊ»alu festival. The setting is with festival goers relaxing in the A&B Amphitheater where they can enjoy hours of soft music as the sun sets behind the mountains of West Maui.
MACC in-person attendance requirements
Due to COVID precautions, this year’s attendees should register in advance at MauiArts.org. Registration is only available online and participants must book a ticket for each group / group of up to four people, including the keiki. After booking, attendees must bring their printable barcode e-ticket confirmation home or have it ready to be presented on their mobile device to be authorized to enter the venue. There is only one electronic ticket per registration, so participants must show up with their group intact. Only one scan authorized per electronic ticket, so duplicates will not be taken into account. Reservations are not transferable.
Temperature checks will be made at the door and masks are mandatory for everyone except for eating or drinking, given the large group setup. At the entrance to the room, the ushers will show participants their pod from four headquarters located far away.
Unlike past KÄ« HÅ’alu events, all seating is provided this year in order to meet and maintain social distancing requirements. No garden chair or blanket will be needed. The MACC again offers special seating options for kupuna which are available once inside the venue.
This year’s KÄ« HÅ’alu Festival will feature food and drink available for purchase from Maui food vendors who will serve a variety of snack, dinner, and dessert options. All food and beverage purchases will require payment by credit or debit card. There will be no cash transactions. No food and drinks from outside will be allowed in the room.
For more information, visit MauiArts.org or call the MACC Box Office at 808-242-SHOW (7469) Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.