August on Maui moves at its own unhurried pace — obon drums echo from Lahaina to Lānaʻi, Upcountry ropers dust off their saddles, and our own Island Sotheby's International Realty Kapalua office has a new artist in residence filling the space with color. Here's where to find the month's best gatherings, from a Friday night town party to an evening with a Grammy-winning songwriter.
Jules Trowbridge, Artist in Residence at Island Sotheby's Kapalua
Mondays 9:00 am – 1:00 pm & Fridays 2:00 – 5:00 pm, throughout August
Island Sotheby's International Realty, Kapalua office
Our Island Sotheby's International Realty Kapalua office has a new artist in residence this month: Maui fine artist Jules Trowbridge, known for bold, emotionally expressive acrylic and oil work inspired by the islands. Jules has set up her easel right in our newly opened Kapalua Drive office, filling the space with color and giving the community a reason to stop by beyond real estate. Take a look through Jules Trowbridge's portfolio before you go, and you'll have a good sense of the color and movement waiting for you in person.
Maui Obon Season: August Bon Dances
Fri–Sat, August 14–29, 2026
- Lahaina Community Bon Dance (Lahaina Hongwanji, Lahaina Jodo & Lahaina Shingon) — Fri, Aug 14, 5–9 pm, 12 Ala Moana St., Lahaina
- Kula Shofukuji Mission — Sat, Aug 15, service 5 pm / dance 7 pm, 113 Puanani Pl., Kula
- Pāʻia Rinzai Zen Mission — Sat, Aug 22, service 6 pm / dance 7 pm, 120 Alawai Rd., Pāʻia
- Lānaʻi Hongwanji Mission — Fri, Aug 28 service only / Sat, Aug 29 dance only, 7 pm, 1364 Frasier Ave., Lānaʻi City
Obon season carries into August with temple dances honoring loved ones and embracing gratitude, each one built around taiko drumming, lantern light, and community food booths. Find the full rundown, including which temples serve dinner before the dancing starts, at the full 2026 Maui Bon Dance schedule.
Photo courtesy of ProArts Playhouse
ProArts Playhouse August Lineup
Throughout August 2026
Azeka Plaza Makai, Kihei
- Kaulike Pescaia "Good Fun" Album Release Concert — Aug 1, 7:30 pm
- Magic in Paradise (David Kuraya) — Aug 2, 9, 23 & 30, 2:00 pm
- Omi Tutu: Cool Waters — Aug 5, 6:30 pm
- The Jazz Maui Modern Quintet — Aug 6, 7:30 pm
- John Cruz Island Style Series — Aug 12 & 26, 7:00 pm
- Sheryl Renee Cabaret Series presents DUETS — Aug 13, 7:30 pm
- Lo Wolf: Vocal Velvet — Aug 15, 7:30 pm
- Anthony Pfluke with Pohai and Stephen Henderson — Aug 20, 7:30 pm
- Amy Hānaiali'i: One Voice, One Guitar — Aug 21, 7:30 pm
- Free Range Comedy — Aug 22, 7:30 pm
- Kanekoa — Aug 28, 7:30 pm
- Lokahi Trio — Aug 29, 7:00 pm
- Spectacular Journeys: The Wizard of Oz in 3D — Aug 30, 2:00 pm
Kihei's little theater packs an entire season into one month, swinging from an album release party to a magic show to an evening with Nā Hōkū Hanohano honoree Amy Hānaiali'i. Whether you're after music, comedy, or sleight-of-hand, there's a night for it on this stage. Browse ProArts Playhouse's full August lineup and pick your night.
Photo courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Maui
Kapalua Wine & Chef Series ft. Kristen Kish
Saturday, August 8, 2026 · 5:30 – 8:30 pm
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
James Beard Award winner and Top Chef alum Kristen Kish headlines this intimate wine and chef dinner, pairing a tasting menu with the kind of sunset only Kapalua delivers. It's a 21-and-up evening, with tickets at $245 (or $215 for kamaʻāina). Reserve your seat at the Kapalua Wine & Chef Series before it fills up.
Oskie Rice Arena Roping Weekend
August 15–16, 2026
Oskie Rice Event Center, Makawao
- The Hooey Jr. Patriot Super Qualifier — Sat, Aug 15, 9:00 am
- Maui ACTRA Roping — Sun, Aug 16, 10:00 am
Upcountry's roping community turns out for back-to-back days at the Oskie Rice arena — young ropers chasing a spot on the national Hooey Jr. Patriot circuit on Saturday, then seasoned team roping pairs vying for the ACTRA National Finals on Sunday. Both days are free to watch from the stands, and there's no better excuse to spend a weekend up in Makawao. Get the details on the full roping weekend schedule.
Photo courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Maui
Maui Songwriters Festival Summer Series ft. Kristian Bush & Payton Sullivan
Friday, August 21, 2026 · 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Alaloa Lounge, The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
Grammy-winning Sugarland co-founder Kristian Bush shares the stage with rising songwriter Payton Sullivan, opened by Hawai'i artists Kamalani Kawa'a and 94Tunez, for a night that blends Nashville storytelling with island sound against the Pacific backdrop. It's complimentary for resort guests, with just a $10 entertainment fee for everyone else. Details on the Maui Songwriters Festival Summer Series are worth a look if you're free that Friday.
PC: J. Anthony Martinez Photography
Maui Calls, 28th Annual
Saturday, August 22, 2026 · 6:00 pm
Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Kahului
The MACC's signature gala leans into a nostalgic, old-Hawai'i theme for its 28th year, pairing award-winning wines with dishes from Maui's top chefs and a silent and live auction stacked with one-of-a-kind island experiences. This is a night the whole community shows up for, knowing the funds raised will keep arts and culture alive on Maui all year long. Tickets and details for this year's Maui Calls gala are live now.
Kīhei 4th Friday Town Party
Friday, August 28, 2026 · 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Azeka Shopping Center, Kīhei
The largest of Maui's Friday Town Parties fills both sides of Azeka with live music, food trucks, a keiki zone, and local vendors, closing out the month the way South Maui always does. Bring the whole family and plan to stay past sunset. See the Maui Friday Town Parties schedule for parking and vendor info.
2026 Huliau Food & Film Festival
Saturday, August 29, 2026 · Evening
Kapuakukui Farm, Kula
Maui Huliau Foundation's farm-to-table benefit moves to a beautiful new outdoor setting at Kapuakukui Farm this year, with sunset and ocean views over Upcountry, chef stations from Maui's top culinary talent, live music, hula, and student-produced films spotlighting the Kula moku. It's BYOB, with reserved tables for eight at $925 or Mix & Mingle passes at $75 per person, and every dollar raised supports Huliau's environmental education programs for Maui youth. Get the Huliau Food & Film Festival's ticket options before seats fill up.
Photo courtesy of Pacific Cancer Foundation
Battle of the Badges: MPD vs. MFD Softball
Saturday, August 29, 2026 · 4:00 – 10:00 pm
Ichiro "Iron" Maehara Baseball Stadium, Wailuku
Maui Police and Maui Fire face off in a friendly softball showdown that kicks off the 2026 Battle of the Badges campaign benefiting Pacific Cancer Foundation. It's a family-friendly evening with food, refreshments, and official campaign merchandise on hand, marking the start of a two-month fundraising push that carries into September and October in support of Maui County families facing cancer. Get the full rundown on the Battle of the Badges event page.
That's the month, Maui — from a bon dance's last drumbeat to a brand-new easel in Kapalua. Get out and catch a few of these while the island's at its August best.