Lahaina's Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows hosts Mele for Maui on Saturday, Sept. 19 — a free, all-ages evening of live music marking the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra's first performance on Maui in a decade.
The concert carries real weight. After the 2023 wildfires that devastated Lahaina, Kīhei and Kula, the event is framed as a celebration of the island's resilience — Mayor Richard Bissen called it a chance for residents and visitors alike to come together through the arts. It also lands in the orchestra's 15th season, shortly after the HSO was named the official state orchestra of Hawaiʻi, and marks its return to interisland touring. Music director Dane Lam put it plainly: Lahaina is a fitting place to make sure everyone in the islands has access to world-class music.
The programme leans into Maui itself — pieces inspired by the island's landscapes and people, plus a world premiere of "Rain Shadow" by composer Sean Hickey and works by Hawaiʻi-born composer Michael-Thomas Foumai. The orchestra won't be alone on stage: an impressive lineup of Island artists joins in, including Amy Hānaialiʻi Gilliom, Raiatea Helm, Keola Beamer, John Cruz, Jeff Peterson and Kalaʻe Camarillo.
If you can't make it in person, the concert streams on Hawaiʻi News Now's digital platforms and airs on K5 — worth knowing if you're planning a Maui trip around the date or just want a taste of the island's music scene from afar.
The venue matters too. The Royal Lahaina has become something of a West Maui gathering spot — locals call it "The People's Place" — and its outdoor venue, The Branches, sits under a century-old banyan tree, hosting local musicians regularly. On concert night, gates open at 4 p.m. with food trucks and a mākeke (local market) at The Branches selling island-made products. The music runs 6:30 to 9 p.m., with a post-concert gathering at The Branches until the event wraps at 10 p.m.
Practical details: admission is free with first-come, first-served seating, so arriving early is smart. Low lawn chairs and blankets are welcome, but leave pets, tents, umbrellas and outside food or drink at home — water is fine. Parking is limited; overflow lots in the Kāʻanapali Resort area come with a free shuttle, and the complimentary Kāʻanapali Trolley stops right at the resort entrance.
For travellers, this is a rare chance to catch a full symphony orchestra alongside some of Hawaiʻi's most beloved musicians — for free — in one of the most scenic corners of West Maui. If your trip overlaps mid-September, build an evening around it, arrive by late afternoon to browse the market and grab a seat, and consider staying in Kāʻanapali to walk or trolley to the venue. Even if your dates don't line up, The Branches hosts live music under that banyan tree regularly, making the resort an easy, low-key evening out on any Maui itinerary.
Via Hawaii Magazine.
