Dr. Busaba Yip Douglas and Robert Loera will lead presentations on kites at the Wo Hing Museum on Friday, April 17.

LAHAINA – The wide world of kites will be celebrated during Lahaina Restoration Foundation’s Chinese Kite Festival at the Wo Hing Museum, 858 Front St., in Lahaina on Friday, April 17, and a kite flying event at the Kaanapali North Beach Open Space Park on Saturday, April 18. Admission is free to both events.

During the Wo Hing Museum festival on April 17, attendees can see handmade kites in traditional and modern styles. Kids can participate in a workshop to make their own kite, and parents can purchase one of the many kites on sale.

Presentations will be made by Dr. Busaba Yip Douglas on the Story of Ancient Chinese Kites; Kite Master Robert Loera on the East Indian Art of Kite Fighting; and Kite Master Scott Augenbaugh on the Modern Kite at 2 p.m. and again at 6 p.m.

Other activities featured on Friday include Kau Chim (Chinese divination) and the art of Chinese knot tying between 3 and 5 p.m. Learn how to play Mahjong and listen to traditional Chinese erhu music from 3 to 6 p.m.

Large kite flying demonstrations will be held between 3 and 7 p.m. by members of the Hawaii Kitefliers Association. From 4 to 7 p.m., purchase Chinese foods like steamed bao buns and stir-fried vegetables.

A kite flying event will be held at the Kaanapali North Beach Open Space Park on Saturday, April 18.

Bring the whole family to fly a kite on April 18 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the open space lot in North Beach with plenty of free parking.

Guests can watch a giant ancient Chinese dragon kite take flight and soar at 9:30 a.m. Augenbaugh will demonstrate multiple sport kites at 10 a.m.

Throughout the day, free kite flying with personal kites will be offered along with kite making. A large modern kite will be flown at noon, and from 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, members of Hawaii Kitefliers Association will demonstrate kite fighting.

Kites have a colorful history from the days of ancient China through modern times and around the world. The Chinese are credited with the invention of the kite in the 5th century BCE in the city of WeiFang, Shandong Province.

From there, kites were introduced to Cambodia, India, Japan, Korea and the West. India boasts an ancient kite fighting tradition with the patang, a kite made from tissue paper and bamboo crafted for maneuverability and responsiveness.

The festival is supported by the Hawaii Tourism Authority and County of Maui Office of Economic Development. The Wo Hing Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday.

For more information, call the museum at 661-5553, go to LahainaRestoration.org/events or visit Facebook.com/LahainaRestoration.