Lahaina honors its long Chinese heritage with community festivals throughout the year. In 2018, you can get ready to celebrate Chinese New Year in February, and the wonderful world of kites in April at these upcoming events:
Friday, February 23 • from 5 pm to 9 pm
Chinese New Year Celebration
Ring in the lunar new year in Lahaina during this free community celebration, featuring Chinese lion dancing with drums, cymbals and firecrackers at the Wo Hing Museum and Cookhouse on Front Street. After firecrackers are lit, the lions dance down Front Street, stopping in shops and restaurants. Throughout the day and evening, enjoy cultural art activities, like calligraphy, knot tying and kids’ crafts. Presentations about Chinese New Year history and the fortune-telling arts will be held in the Cookhouse. There will be martial arts demonstrations and instrumental performances along with Chinese tea served in the garden. It’s fun for the whole family to celebrate the Year of the Dog!
Friday, April 6 & Saturday, April 7
5 pm to 9 pm & 9 am to 2 pm
Kite Festival & Kite Flying Day
Celebrate the wide world of kites and national kite month in Lahaina during this annual family fun event! On Friday evening at Wo Hing Museum and Cookhouse on Front Street, check out displays of ancient and modern kites from around the world; kites are available for purchase. Enjoy presentations on Ancient Chinese Kites and Sport Kites, then join a community kite making project. There are hands-on craft activities for kids, like kite making, and Chinese food available for sale. Go fly a kite on Saturday at the Lahaina Recreation Center field on Honoapi‘ilani Hwy. Kids can design and make a kite and teens can make free-form kite structures. At 11 am, the community’s Chinese serpent kite will take to the air in a kite flying demo. The sky becomes a canvas with colorful kites in all shapes. Bring your own kite to fly and get tips from the pros until 2 pm. Free admission to all events.
To find out more, call the Lahaina Restoration Foundation office at 808-661-3262, Wo Hing Museum at 808-661-5553, or contact us here. For updates, visit Facebook @LahainaRestoration and Twitter @LahainaRestFnd.