Wilmont Kahaialii Jr. will play in Campbell Park at 5 p.m. on Friday.

LAHAINA – Music has always been part of the thread that makes Lahaina a special place in a melodic land of many faces and changes.

The keiki in Lahaina learn of the musical traditions that are synonymous with growing up in the historical town by the sea.

This love of music is just another reason to celebrate Lahaina’s Second Friday in March, showcasing live music at venues throughout and featuring the sounds of Lahaina.

‘Ulalena Maui will open the March 9 event with a blessing on Front Street at the seawall adjacent to the Hard Rock Cafe.

LahainaTown Action Committee will kickoff its new Music Series in the Park with free live music on the stage at Campbell Park next to the Baldwin Home on Front Street.

For March, LAC will feature three musicians: Wilmont Kahaialii Jr. at 5 p.m., followed by Al Nip at 6 p.m. and Eddie Tanaka from 7 to 8 p.m.

Waiola Church, Girl Scouts of Lahaina, Lahaina Canoe Club’s Keiki Program, Maui Soroptimists and the Boys & Girls Club of Lahaina will run food and product booths to raise money for their non-profits. Call 667-9175 for information.

Next door at The Wharf Cinema Center, Maui’s own “Queen of Radio,” KPOA’s Alaka’i Paleka, will do a live remote from the center from 6 to 9 p.m.

Lui Williams will perform on center stage at 4 p.m., and hula halau Keala Kahinano O Puna will dance at 5:45 p.m.

The “Queen of Karaoke,” Toddy Lilikoi, will join the party for a karaoke contest until 9 p.m. Anyone over 18 years of age may enter to win round-trip tickets to the Mainland.

Also at The Wharf, spin the Prize Wheel to win “Wharf Bucks,” movie tickets, food, gift certificates and more. Call 661-8748 for information.

Hard Rock Cafe on Second Friday will have live music on its patio from 5 to 8 p.m. At 8 p.m., Hard Rock will host the “Global Battle of the Bands” finals. Admission is free.

Support your local music scene at “Hard Rock Rising: The Global Battle of the Bands.” Groups that make the finals are competing for a chance to play at Hard Rock Calling in London’s historic Hyde Park.

Other Lahaina venues will also have live music. The Pioneer Inn will feature live music by Wilmont Kahaialii from 6 to 9 p.m., Kimo’s Restaurant will feature live music from 8 to 10 p.m. and honor free coupons (available at the Lahaina Visitors’ Center at the Old Lahaina Courthouse) for Hula Pie, Moose McGillycuddy’s will feature Visibly Shaken from 8 to 10 p.m., Longhi’s Lahaina will have jazz with the Maui Jazz Society from 7 to 10 p.m., and Blue Lagoon at The Wharf Cinema Center will have a live band.

“Ha’ina Hou – Let the Story Be Told” is Lahaina Restoration Foundation’s free monthly series being held on Second Friday at the Baldwin Home and Wo Hing Museums.

Discover the world of Lajiutsu, the art of Japanese sword draw, at 6:30 p.m. at the Wo Hing Museum’s “Martial Arts Invitational.” Sekiguchi Komei, the 21st Grand Master of Musu Jikiden Eishin Ryi Iajiutsu, will be featured.

Komei has established dojos worldwide, with Maui Komei Juku located in Waiehu. Come see Komei and his dojo share classical martial arts discipline through the art of Japanese sword draw.

Travel through time with “Ancient Maps of Lahaina” with author and noted authority on Hawaiian maps Riley Moffat at 7:30 p.m. at the Baldwin Home Museum lawn.

Explore an assortment of rare maps depicting the pivotal years of Lahaina’s indigenous society and its radical transformation to western philosophy (see sidebar).

In addition, LRF’s popular candlelit tour of the Baldwin Home, 120 Dickenson St., will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. A special “Ha’ina Hou” charge of $5 per person for the tour also includes a tour of the Wo Hing Museum at at 858 Front St. Children accompanied by a paying adult are free. For more information, call Lahaina Restoration Foundation at 661-3232 or visit www.LahainaRestoration.org.

In conjunction with “Friday is Art Night in Lahaina,” Peter Lik Gallery will have music with Deejay Scotty D, special promotions on art, wine and light pupus; Maui Hands Gallery Lahaina will feature Haiku artist Mort Luby; Images Fine Art will host artists Julie Houck, Matt Smith and Taryn Alessandro, serve wine and have live music; Gallery 505 will feature Pop artist Davo and a live painting; Village Gallery will feature Macario Pascual and serve wine and pupus; Martin Lawrence Gallery will feature a collection of Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso pieces and serve wine and pupus; Lahaina Galleries will host a guest artist and serve wine; Thomas Barbey Art Gallery will offer special promotions on art and serve wine; and Lahaina Print Sellers will serve wine and offer special promotions on selected pieces.

For Second Friday in Lahaina, Ono Gelato Lahaina, Kimo’s Restaurant, Kobe Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar, The Pioneer Inn, Amigo’s Authentic Mexican Food, Captain Jack’s Island Grill, Cool Cat Cafe, Blue Lagoon Lahaina, Atlantis Submarines and Hawaii Ocean Project will all offer discounts or specials.