From our archives: This Waikapū music festival story recalls the inaugural Waikapu Country Town Hawaiian Music Festival at Maui Tropical Plantation in 2015. It describes the food, hula and family activities we enjoyed then. It isn’t an announcement of a current festival or a promise that the same vendors and activities are available today.
Maui Tropical Plantation was already a place with plenty going on when we wrote this account. Weddings, zipline outings, local shopping and special events brought people to the property. For us, its beautifully produced inaugural Hawaiian music festival made for a particularly memorable day.
A Waikapū Music Festival Filled With Food and Hula
Fun food carts, lovely Hawaiian music and graceful hula made for one splendid day. A few tropical rain showers cooled the crowd off, but there was still plenty to enjoy between the performances, food stops and time with the family.
The festival grounds during the inaugural 2015 Waikapū music festival.
Feeding the Fans
When Maui Tropical Plantation put on this event, there was plenty to pick from. Popular poi mochi and kombucha were among the choices. I happened upon some of the best banana bread I’d tried on the island, and my daughter was in doughnut heaven with the malasadas.
Mill House made an appearance with delicious-looking Philly cheesesteak sandwiches that made my mouth water. The food choices ranged from local mixed plates and manapua sliders to fries and fish tacos. Those vendors and dishes belong to our 2015 account, rather than a current menu.
Food vendors at the 2015 festival. This archive collage does not show a current menu.
Hula Heaven
The event showcased beautiful, graceful dancers. The crowd was mesmerized by the sway and flow of the dances, each one carefully choreographed. Storytelling and narration helped explain the meaning behind the movements. The keiki, or children, even stepped onto the stage.
That combination of music, dance and explanation was part of what made the Waikapū music festival special to us. We could enjoy the performance while learning more about the stories being shared. It was a memorable part of the day from beginning to end.
Hula performances from our 2015 festival visit.
Keiki Headquarters
Not every child at the event felt like quietly sitting. On the opposite end of the property, a keiki zone gave them space to run, bounce and play. The Plantation also offered a shady spot where parents and children could relax between activities.
This part of the event made a difference for families. We could spend time listening to music and watching hula, then give the children a change of pace. It helped make the day enjoyable for both parents and kids.
The keiki area at the 2015 festival, shown as an archive rather than a current attraction.
Visiting the Plantation After This Festival
Our original story praised the range of events on a property that kept getting more beautiful. That enthusiasm reflects our experience at this 2015 gathering. Don’t use the old festival schedule, food lineup or children’s activities to plan a present-day visit.
For more about the setting, visit Maui Tropical Plantation Events or our Maui Tropical Plantation guide. Confirm current events and services directly before making plans.
We’re a small group of full-time Maui residents that LOVE exploring and writing about what we think is the best place on Earth: The Island of Maui, Hawaii! Expect many more articles, reviews, photos and videos of Maui and all of the Hawaiian Islands. ALOHA!
0 Comments