Source: Maui Time, Maui News, Best of Maui, Maui Activities

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19th Annual Taro Festival

by Anuhea Yagi

April 28, 2011

Here’s an event you can dive into, like two eager fingers into a bowl of fresh poi: the 19th Annual Taro Festival begins Friday (April 29) with special tours around Hana Bay on the Makali‘i Voyaging Canoe (9am-4pm, weather permitting). Continuing on Saturday (April 30), the main event boasts 22 food booths and 40 artisan and craft booths, and main stage entertainment like oli, hula and kanikapila jams by the likes UHMC students, Hula Halau Noe Noe O Kawaipapa and the Hawaiin Serenaders. Plus, a slew of interactive cultural demonstrations will be presented, like poi pounding, hala weaving, weapons and fishhook making and Hawaiian games (9am-5pm). And like luau leaves around fresh fish, the event wraps up on Sunday (May 1) with a taro pancake breakfast (7:30-10:30am) and tours of the Kahanu Garden and Pi‘ilanihale Heiau (11am) and Kapahu Living Farm (2pm). [Hana Ball Park; tarofestival.org]