Local News

‘Ulu o Lele grand opening set for Nov. 10 in Lahaina

Free Common Kings concert to highlight community celebration

Maui County and the Hawaiian Council, with support from Hawaii Community Foundation, will celebrate the grand opening of 'Ulu o Lele starting at 1 p.m. Nov. 10 with an afternoon of community festivities and a free concert by Common Kings.

Located at the former Outlets of Maui site along Front Street in Lahaina, the interim marketplace is giving local businesses a chance to reopen in the heart of the town while recovery efforts from the devastating 2023 wildfire continue.

The marketplace has been envisioned as a gathering place, connecting both people and businesses, while giving small businesses affected by the fire a chance to have a physical location.

The grand opening will begin at 1 p.m., with a live radio broadcast, vendor spotlights and marketplace festivities continuing through 5 p.m. An official welcome is scheduled for 5 p.m., followed by a Maui Music Showcase featuring local artists and cultural demonstrations from 5:15 to 8 p.m.

The celebration also will include a special tribute to Lahaina around sunset, and Common Kings will perform a free concert from 8:15 to 9:15 p.m. at the corner of Wainee and Papalaua streets.

"Restoring Lahaina's commercial district means helping local business owners return and giving people reasons to come back and support them," Mayor Richard Bissen said in a news release. "ʻUlu o Lele creates an opportunity to do that while permanent rebuilding moves forward. Mahalo to Hawaiian Council and Hawaiʻi Community Foundation for helping turn this community priority into a place that will serve Lahaina's families and businesses."

The first commercial storefront marketplace project to return to Front Street in Lahaina since the 2023 fire, ʻUlu o Lele sits on approximately 3 acres.

Once open, the marketplace will feature retail shops, food vendors, cultural programming, music and space for nonprofit and community events.

When the project was announced in July, Hawaiian Council CEO Kūhiō Lewis described it as an $8 million investment that would include 17 retail units ranging from 144 to 240 square feet, eight food trucks and a stage for nightly entertainment. Monthly rents for the retail units were expected to range from $800 to $1,500, depending on size.

In September, the Hawaiian Council said the marketplace would help sustain approximately 90 jobs by accommodating 25 to 50 local vendors during the interim recovery period.

The Hawaiian Council has secured a two-year lease for the property and is leading the planning, development and implementation of the marketplace, with funding from the council's Kāko'o Maui Fund and a $4 million grant from Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund.

The project grew out of community engagement and recommendations from the foundation-funded Maui Business Recovery and Resilience Assessment, which identified steps to support West Maui’s economy during recovery.

"ʻUlu o Lele gives local businesses a place to reopen and families and friends a place to gather again," Lewis said. "This celebration is our way of honoring Lahaina's people, and we invite everyone to come enjoy the music, support these businesses and spend the day together."

An initial vendor interest form drew responses from 93 businesses, and vendor applications were accepted through Sept. 28, with priority given to businesses directly affected by the 2023 fire or those with a connection to Lahaina.

All Maui-based businesses were encouraged to apply.

Hawaiian Council and its partners plan to announce the selected vendors Oct. 29.

The Nov. 10 celebration will mark the opening of the marketplace grounds and community gathering spaces. Individual shops will open as they are ready, and some may open after the celebration.

'Ulu o Lele grand opening schedule

Tuesday, Nov. 10

Corner of Wainee and Papalaua streets, Lahaina

Free and open to the public

1 p.m. -- Marketplace opens. Explore the marketplace, shop local businesses and enjoy food and other activities.

1-5 p.m. -- Live radio broadcast and marketplace festivities. Music, giveaways, vendor spotlights and stories from Lahaina.

5 p.m. -- Grand opening welcome. Official welcome celebrating the businesses, community and partners involved in the marketplace.

5:15-8 p.m. -- Maui Music Showcase. Live performances by Maui artists and cultural demonstrations.

Around sunset -- A Moment for Lahaina. A special tribute honoring Lahaina’s people, resilience and future.

8 p.m. -- Community mahalo and introductions. Acknowledgment of community members and project partners.

8:15-9:15 p.m. -- Common Kings concert. Free live performance by Common Kings.

9:15 p.m. -- Closing mahalo

Schedule is tentative and subject to change. For event updates and marketplace information, visit uluolele.com.