Have You Ever Heard of the Marti Gras of the Pacific? Meet Halloween in Lahaina, Maui!

thereseholland
Nov 4, 2015
2 min read

Maui—peaceful island paradise, where the breeze caresses the palms, sweet salty air enters your nose, and quiet Hawaiian Ukelele plays in the background.

This may be the image you have in your mind about Maui, which may or may not be accurate most days of the year, but did you know Maui has a famous Halloween party every year that's so big, it's called the Marti Gras of the Pacific?

That's right—every 31st of October the streets of Lahaina, a town in Western Maui, fill with locals and tourists alike, who are ready to party!

The festivities begin early, around 5pm, with family-friendly activities like the keiki (child) costume contest. I joined in around 10 pm, when the party was getting going for the adult crowd.

People start to walk from the beginning of Lahaina, all up and down Lahaina's Front Street. Most people wear costumes, and some can be very decorative. However, due to the hot weather in Hawai'i, it's not uncommon to see many people who've taken their costumes off.

Also, the holiday and hot weather means some people can get a little... well, free-spirited? There's plenty of skin to be seen in Lahaina on this night.

Along the way, people pop in and out of the many bars along Front Street. The bars can get very crowded, and much of the party exists on the street as well!

In fact, there were many people dancing and drinking in the streets, and some street musicians making the party more lively outside.

Police are present on major street intersections, should they be needed. Their presence is not overwhelming, but they are certainly there.

The "Marti Gras of the Pacific" is essentially a lively street parade-party. If you find yourself on Maui in October, I recommend checking it out!

If you plan to go to Lahaina for Halloween, there's a few things to know:

Consider parking in the outer parts of Lahaina, or on side streets, as the central part will be closed off and/or very busy.
When picking a costume, consider the weather. It can be quite hot and humid on Maui, even at night, which is not ideal for most costumes.
Savers in Kahului is a great place for discount costumes, however, it's also a very popular place for Maui residents to get their costumes, meaning you will probably see someone in the same thing.
As bars get very crowded, it can be difficult to get to the bar to buy a drink. Consider having a few beforehand, if that's your thing.
Keep in mind that because this is a crazy night, police are present, so acting up during this time is not a good idea.
Use local party and public buses or taxis to get home safely.

So, does Halloween in Lahaina seem like your kind of party? I sure had a good time!