Lahaina Plantation Days promises good food, music and fun

Lahaina Plantation Days’ ‘Ohana Movie Night on Thursday, Oct. 20, will feature “Great Grandfather’s Drum” and a special performance by Maui Taiko Drummers. Photo by Ken Kimura taken during the 2009 movie night.
LAHAINA — The third annual Lahaina Plantation Days returns on Oct. 20-22 with an exciting lineup of activities boasting good food, good music and good fun!
Presented by Lahaina Restoration Foundation, this three-day event will be held on the old Pioneer Mill site surrounding the historic smokestack on Lahainaluna Road. Event hours are 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 20 and 5 to 10 p.m. on Oct. 21 and 22.
This year, the public will enjoy a bevy of festivities — some familiar and some new.
The opening Movie Night on Thursday will feature the poignant, touching documentary “Great Grandfather’s Drum,” a celebration of Japanese-American culture and history in Hawaii. A live performance by Maui Taiko opens the film.
Back by popular demand are the food booths with their facades reminiscent of a street scene in old Lahaina Town. A total of 20 restaurants will offer a variety of culinary delights along with local favorites.
A beer and wine garden, coffee tent, horse rides and games for keiki, Japanese Cultural Area, farmers’ market, historical displays, plantation exhibits and the best of island music including Da Braddahs, Makaha Sons and Na Wai Ho`olu`u o ke Anuenue will also be featured.
At the event, the public can purchase engraved bricks to benefit the next phase in the restoration of the historic Pioneer Mill smokestack.
New to the event will be the Maui debut of a special exhibit entitled “In A Suitcase” by international artist Miki Nitadori, who grew up in Lahaina and now lives in Paris. Years ago, a suitcase of abandoned family photos in Lahaina caught the attention of international artist Nitadori, who transformed these images into a riveting cultural identity exhibit that has been shown throughout Europe.
Two original locomotives built in the late 1980s will be unveiled and permanently located next to the smokestack in the interpretive area. Donated by the Allen and Lenabelle Davis Foundation, these machines served Pioneer Mill Company’s operations in the Lahaina and the Launiupoko areas and were later sold in the mid-1950s. Track and railroad ties are also being donated by the Sugar Cane Train for this historic display.
LRF encourages residents who remember stories about the old plantation trains to give them a call at 661-3262. Admission to Lahaina Plantation Days is $3 per night or $5 for a three-day pass. For tickets, call 661-3262 or visit www.LahainaRestoration.org.