Contrary to what many people think, Halloween has not been cancelled this year. (That only happens with Christmas.) In fact, Front Street festivities will go on much as they have in years past, only this time around the street will be lacking live music and vendors. One key difference, as it now stands, is that Front Street may be opened up to traffic as early as 6pm, though why any driver would want to traverse the people-packed street is beyond us.
The list of events in Lahaina for this Halloween is long. Your itinerary, of course, will depend on factors like marital status, whether or not you have small children, if you have a place to crash nearby, how comfortable your costume is and how long your DD will be able to tolerate being the only sane non-cop within a half mile range. Those partying late into the night should keep in mind that there will be DUI checkpoints all over the place. Personally, I’d rather fork over $70 for a cab than risk it.
For those of you with young’ns festivities start happening in the late afternoon. Revelers such as myself would do just fine popping over after work—after getting in costume, of course. In any case, get there early.
Parking will likely be a pain, but it can be found in various pockets throughout town. Again, getting there early is key.
FAMILY EVENTS
1-5:30pm, 505 Front St., Haunted House.
If you have little ones, the tamer version of this haunted house goes from 1-5:30pm. The admission is $3 for keiki. Those seeking a more intense show are advised to check out the adult version, which will begin at 6pm and go until 10:30pm ($11). Event organizers warn that those with health conditions may want to sit this one out. Proceeds benefit A Keiki’s Dream foundation.
4:30pm, Front Street, Keiki Parade
This Soroptomist International/West Maui Rotary Club event, entering its 30th year, is pretty much the centerpiece of daytime Halloween events in Lahaina. It features hordes of kids in adorable costumes. They’ll be marching from Front and Papalaua streets to Banyan Tree Park to the tune of the Lahainaluna School Band as well as the ROTC drill team. Professional surfer Archie Kalepa leads the parade.
5-8:30pm, Lahaina Cannery Mall, Halloween Cannery Kids’ Night
This is a good time for families with young children to escape before madness descends on Front Street. Trick-or-treating at malls is all the rage these days, as retailers are likely to find handing out razor blade-laden apples to be bad for business. Here you will find trick-or-treating, a magic (oh, I’m sorry, illusion) show, a costume contest for keiki in three age groups and a pineapple decorating contest. Kids can even get their photo taken with Frankenstein’s monster.
6-7pm Wharf Cinema Center, Keiki Karaoke/Costume Contest
Families that haven’t had enough of the festivities can head back over to Front Street and toss the young’ns on stage for a karaoke contest as well as another costume contest. Cash and prizes (as well as major bragging rights) are at stake for this one. You can register the kids (ages 5-12) for the keiki contests until 6pm.
CLUB FESTIVITIES
8pm, Heaven & Hell Party,
Lahaina Store Grille & Oyster Bar
This party is likely to be raging. It involves multiple levels of revelry. “Hell” is on the second floor in the grand dining room. “Heaven” is on the rooftop. Features a DJ on both floors as well as a costume contest. This function will serve as installment one of the club-fiends’ Halloween fix. Admission before 10pm is $15; after it’s $20.
8pm, Halloween Nightmare,
The Cellar 744
If you haven’t checked out Maui’s newest late-night spot (and Lahaina’s only full-on night club), stopping by tonight is a must. This Love & Light Productions party features drink specials and music by DJ Daniel. $20 gets you in.
9pm, Night of the Dead,
Santa Fe Cantina
This Dia de los Muertos-inspired party will feature trippy visuals, a costume contest, and DJ sets (Toben, N8 Castro, Trip and Max). Oh, and I’m being told that there’s a special on Jager shots. Three bucks. And $2 tacos all night for those of you who tend to inadvertently drink on an empty stomach. Admission: $10.
9pm, Hard Rock Halloween,
Hard Rock Café
Not only will this party likely prove to be killer, the $15 you pay at the door benefits the Pacific Cancer Foundation’s breast cancer division. DJ 007 will provide the audio. This may also be the only spot where you can get an emergency tarot card reading or airbrush tattoo.
10:30, Night of the Living Dread, Cool Cat Café
If you haven’t seen Marty Dread perform yet, now is the time. Dread will most certainly be busting out the positive vibe-ridden, infectiously danceable tunes for which he is best known. There are bound to be some killer drink specials, plus this is a dynamite spot to get a (drunken) bird’s eye glimpse of the Front Street festivities.
EVENING FESTIVITIES
7pm, Front St. Zombie Hunt
My favorite. I would so participate in this if it weren’t for the fact that I’ll be wearing stiletto heels as part of my costume. This is why I call upon all able-bodied, non-stiletto-wearing individuals to take up arms in defending humanity against a legion of repulsive zombies that is plotting to turn tonight’s celebration into a blood bath. A $35 fee gets you the tools you need as well as membership in the Lahaina Zombie Elimination Task Force. Are you up to the challenge, man? If so, dial up undeadinvasion.com and see what you can do for your country in this time of great need.
7:30pm, Wharf Cinema Center, Adult Karaoke/Costume Contest
Those who couldn’t muster up the courage to battle zombies may have just enough guts to bust out some Boston at the 25th Annual Wharf Center Karaoke Contest. Registration goes up until 7pm, which leaves enough room for a couple of beers before you take the stage. Contestants, who must wear costumes, can win a bundle of money or a prize or two.
10pm, Silky Ringo, Mulligan’s at the Wharf
Now that you’ve bested your opponents with a soul-stirring karaoke rendition of “Lady Humps,” it’s time to get down. Silky Ringo will be jamming upstairs at Mulligan’s. This is an opportune time to grab a beer.
10pm, Ryan Robinson Band, Bubba Gump Shrimp
So I haven’t heard these guys play yet, nor have I heard their opener, the Flying Sheep Problem. But rumor has it that their music is highly danceable. A little advice: tonight is probably not the night you want to stick your feet in those giant iron Forrest Gump shoes. $5.
10pm, The Unifires, Longhi’s
I don’t have word just yet on the admission fee for this one, but scoping it out along one’s perusal this evening may be a worthwhile endeavor.
6pm, Halloween glass blowing party, Da Kine Connection Smoke Shop
Water tobacco pipe enthusiasts may be wondering what’s in store for them in Lahaina this Halloween. Well, the answer lies just off Front Street. Glass blowing legend Jerome Baker will be crafting intricate and colorful glass water tobacco pipes on site for your tobacco smoking and tobacco pipe-staring pleasure. Also available for staring are the visuals resulting from a laser light show. There will also be a DJ spinning tracks best suited for water tobacco pipe and rolled cigarette parties.
It may not seem like it, but we also know Halloween does happen in places that aren’t Lahaina. In fact, there are some pretty killer happenings across the Valley Isle. Whether you’re aching to see some gospel-reggae, knock back absinthe at a bacchanal, or you just don’t want to deal with the masses, there’s a Halloween happening out there for you. Check out our comprehensive Halloween events calendar and find all you need to know.
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