The Maui Music and Food Experience, which benefits Hua Momona Foundation’s work to provide food to those in need and help Lahaina rebuild, announced its lineup this year. The headliners include the four-time Grammy Award-winning band Los Lobos and the Oʻahu-based ʻukulele virtuoso Taimane.
The two-day event will take place Friday, Aug. 21, and Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa in Kāʻanapali.
In the aftermath of the Lahaina wildfires in August of 2023, Hua Momona Foundation — created by the team behind Hua Momona Farms — delivered about 100,000 hot meals to those impacted by the fires and the first responders helping them. The foundation is “accelerating efforts to replace housing, supporting mental health programs, participating in impactful fundraising events and is now launching a youth music program with a[n] ʻukulele ensemble consisting of young people from Lahaina,” according to its website.
"The MMFE benefit concert series is in its third year due to generous support as this annual tradition uniquely mixes musicians from Hawaiʻi and around the world to lift up Lahaina in so many ways, including continued funding for food, housing and youth music," Gary Grube, the founder of the farm and foundation, told Aloha State Daily in a written statement.
Last year, the multi-day music and food event raised more than $200,000 for Hua Momona Foundation’s charitable efforts, and Mick Fleetwood briefly took the stage, along with featured performances from Ernie Isley.
This year, on the first day of the Maui Music and Food Experience, which is Friday, Aug. 21, the line-up includes Taimane, John Cruz and 3 Pounds of Kalo. The following day, the entertainers include Los Lobos, with special guest Alejando Escovedo; What Mongoose? featuring the two-time Grammy Award-winning Lisa Fischer, as well as Lahaina raised Naiwi Teruya; and Kanekoa.
The event also includes food stations with dishes prepared by local chefs, including Zach Laidlaw, who was a runner up on Season 3 of “Next Level Chef” with Gordon Ramsey. Other stations will be run by Chefs Alvin Savella and Donovan Foster of Coco Deck Lahaina, Chef Zach Sato of Havens Maui, Chef Taylor Ponte of Aurum, and Chef Hannah Stanchfield of the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College.
Early bird ticket prices are in place through June 1. General admission is $68 for Friday, $113 for Saturday, or $162 for both days. VIP tickets are $450 for a single day and $810 for both days. Get tickets.
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Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
