Makawao town’s Third Friday revival planned for Feb. 21
New site will be located at Eddie Tam Memorial Park
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The Maui News
A Makawao Third Friday town party revival is planned for 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Eddie Tam Memorial Park.
The town party will have entertainment, food and booths, with a diverse mix of Maui-based entrepreneurs, associations and clubs, nonprofit organizations and community groups.
The party, which had been centered on Baldwin Avenue, ended in August after an eight-year run. The organizers, the Makawao Merchants Association, said it was time to pass the torch.
Since then, there was talk of a revival in December but county officials said more time was needed to plan the event. A new group of Upcountry residents have stepped up to take over the running of the popular event, county spokesman Brian Perry said Thursday.
"As Makawao residents, we just couldn't let the Makawao Third Friday fade into the sunset," said Carissa Holley, one of the leaders of the event organizing committee.
The committee supported a "new vision of an event centered on the keiki, the cultures and community spirit that defines Makawao," she said in a news release.
The revival of the town party was encouraged by Mayor Michael Victorino, the mayor's Office of Economic Development and Council Members Yuki Lei Sugimura and Mike Molina, and garnered sponsorships from Goodfellow Bros Inc., Ground Transportation, Enterprise Holdings, First Hawaiian Bank and KPOA.
The organizing committee includes Upcountry residents Michael DuPont, Wailani Artates, Holley, Ateliana Ah Kui, Alaneo Artates and the Rev. Kerry Kiyohara of Makawao Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. The committee is supported by Susie Thieman of fiscal sponsor Lokahi Pacific.
The event was moved from Baldwin Avenue to Eddie Tam, which is a larger venue with improved lighting and security, said Artates. The location also had less impact on traffic around Makawao.
Ground Transportation is offering shuttle service to nearby Makawao Hongwanji for additional parking and the 2-minute walk to the town and its businesses, Artates said.
The event will include food from Maui-based entrepreneurs, including Al's BBQ, DeRay's Poi Mochi, Maui Empanadas, Maika'i Lani Malasadas and Frenchy's.
Entertainment will showcase local artists.
Parking is available on-site for $5 per vehicle, as well as on the grounds of the Makawao Hongwanji Buddhist Temple for a $5 donation. Parking for kupuna and anyone with a handicapped parking placard is available on the lot near the gymnasium.
The Makawao Town Party will not be held monthly on the third Friday as in the past. The next events are set for April 17, June 19 and Aug. 21.
It is one of five county bashes. Wailuku has "First Friday," Lahaina, "Second Friday," and Kihei, "Fourth Friday." There is also a "Fifth Friday" party on Lanai.
Anyone interested in participating in the Makawao Third Friday Town Party as an entertainer, food vendor or a product representative at a booth is encouraged to contact the organization by email makawaotownparty@gmail.com or visit makawaotownparty.com, where application forms are available.