Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea Announces the 2026 Festivals of Aloha Schedule of Events

Hawaii’s award-winning Five-Star, Five-Diamond Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea announces its fifth year as host of the Festivals of Aloha, Maui Nui’s premier Hawaiian cultural showcase, taking place from Friday, October 23 through Sunday, October 25, 2026.

Curated by Four Seasons Resort Maui Director of Hawaiian Programs, Aunty Mopsie Tuivaioge, this year’s festival brings together esteemed Hawaiian cultural practitioners, musicians, and artisans for a weekend dedicated to honoring and preserving the islands’ living traditions. Part of a larger series across Maui Nui, Festivals of Aloha offers complimentary programming for resort guests and community members alike, fostering meaningful connections to Hawaiʻi’s culture, history, and community.

The festivities begin with a traditional Opening Ceremony at 9:30 am on Friday, October 23, followed by a full day of cultural programming and the Carmen Hulu Lindsey Leo Haʻihaʻi Falsetto Contest, showcasing the distinctive vocal traditions of Hawaiian music. On Saturday, October 24, the highly anticipated Hula is the Heartbeat event takes center stage, featuring a special performance by the legendary Mākaha Sons, one of Hawaiʻi’s most beloved and influential traditional Hawaiian musical groups. Celebrating 50 years of musical legacy, the group has played an instrumental role in preserving and perpetuating Hawaiian music through its signature harmonies and timeless melodies. For this special evening, Mākaha Sons will be joined by four of Maui’s esteemed hula hālau (schools), bringing together generations of Hawaiian musical and dance traditions in a celebration of the islands’ rich cultural heritage. The evening will also feature a special guest appearance by Miss Aloha Hula 2026.

Additional weekend highlights include the Live Aloha Market, featuring 22 local vendors; a shoppable pop-up from Hawaiian lifestyle brand MANAOLA; and guided tours of The Queen’s Garden: Uluahaimalama, a newly unveiled space honoring Hawaiʻi’s last reigning monarch. On Saturday, a special presentation commemorating the 50th anniversary of Hōkūleʻa’s historic first voyage to Tahiti and back will feature guest speaker Penny Martin, one of two women aboard the landmark voyage. The weekend concludes on Sunday, October 25, with a Kumu Hula Panel exploring the preservation of Hawaiian hula lineages, followed by Sounds of the Sea, featuring contemporary Hawaiian music group Kuikawā in celebration of its third album release in the Mele and Moʻolelo series.

“Festivals of Aloha is a special opportunity to bring our community together and celebrate the traditions that make Hawaiʻi so unique,” says Aunty Mopsie. “We are especially honored to welcome Mākaha Sons this year, whose music has helped preserve and share our Hawaiian heritage for generations. Through hula, mele, storytelling, and cultural experiences, we hope to inspire a deeper appreciation for our traditions and ensure they continue to thrive for generations to come.”

Complimentary off-site parking with round-trip shuttle service will be available at Wailea Event Parking, located across from Monkeypod off Wailea Ike Drive, on Friday, October 23, from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm; Saturday, October 24, from 9:30 am to midnight; and Sunday, October 25, from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

View the full schedule of Festivals of Aloha events at Four Seasons Resort Maui.

Hosting the 2026 Festivals of Aloha continues the Resort’s ongoing commitment to honouring and preserving Hawaiian culture through enriching, authentic experiences. Beyond the annual festival, guests can connect with the island’s rich cultural heritage through a variety of complimentary year-round offerings, including lei making, outrigger canoe excursions, hula lessons, and more.