Celebrating the Made in Maui County Festival—Where Local Pride Shines
Liza A Pierce of “A Maui Blog” | Photos: Liza Pierce
Once again, Maui County prepares to highlight its homegrown creativity as the 12th Annual Hawaiian Airlines Made in Maui County Festival gears up for November 7–8, 2025, at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. For me, this festival isn’t just an event—it’s a celebration of community, craftsmanship and Aloha. It’s where local talent takes the spotlight and where the people behind our favorite Maui-made products share their stories, their struggles, and their successes.
More Than a Market—A Movement
The festival was created to uplift local makers, give them visibility and strengthen Maui’s economy by showcasing locally made products. Since its debut in 2014, modeled after the Made in Hawai‘i Festival on O‘ahu, it has grown into Maui County’s largest product show—drawing thousands of residents and visitors each year.
But beyond the numbers, the Made in Maui County Festival is about connection. It’s where community meets creativity, where small dreams turn into thriving businesses and where the pride of “made local” shines through in every booth. For many vendors, this event is more than a sales opportunity—it’s a milestone validating their hard work and passion.
What to Expect—Behind the Booths
Every year, more than a hundred local businesses set up at the festival, each representing a piece of Maui County’s unique identity.
To qualify, businesses must be based in Maui County and at least 51% of each product’s value must come from work done here in Hawai‘i. That means what you see—from the packaging to the product itself—truly carries the hands and heart of our community.
Expect to find everything from jewelry, art and clothing to furniture, food products and home goods. Add to that twelve food trucks serving local flavors and a lively schedule of stage performances, fashion shows and entertainment—and you’ve got a full day (or two) of island-style fun.
The event opens with a special Friday preview (November 7, 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.), offering early access for ticket holders and wholesale buyers. Then on Saturday, November 8 (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), the festival opens wide for everyone to enjoy. Tickets are $36 for Friday and $9 for Saturday (kids twelve and under are free). The first 2,000 attendees on Saturday even receive a complimentary festival tote bag—perfect for carrying all those local finds!
Spotlight on Filipino-Heritage Makers
Looking through the vendor list, a few names with Filipino roots stand out—shining examples of how our community contributes to Maui’s creative spirit:
• Galleon Chocolate—crafting small-batch artisan chocolates that beautifully blend Filipino and Hawaiian influences. From cacao sourcing to flavor profiles, every bar tells a story of culture and craftsmanship.
• Maui Chili Chili Oil—a husband-and-wife team bringing bold island flavor to every jar. Their crunchy chili oil—featuring Maui onions, garlic and local chili—has become a household favorite across the islands.
These makers show how Filipino heritage continues to thrive and evolve here in Maui County. There are more. Walking through the festival, you’ll see how traditions and modern ideas come together, reminding us Maui’s diverse roots are what make its local products so special. For a full list of vendors, visit the Made in Maui County Festival website at www.madeinmauicountyfestival.com/
Why It Matters
For locals, this festival is more than just a shopping event—it’s a reminder of who we are. It shows our community can support itself, that local innovation thrives and that our products can compete on a global stage without losing their authenticity.
For small business owners, it’s a chance to connect with customers, network with potential partners and gain valuable exposure. Many local brands that started with a simple booth here have grown into successful island businesses.
And for visitors, it’s a chance to take home something truly meaningful—not just a souvenir but a story, a connection, a piece of Maui’s spirit.
In the end, the Made in Maui County Festival is more than a two-day event—it’s a reflection of Maui’s creative soul and the resilience of its people. Whether you’re a maker, a shopper or a supporter of local business, this festival reminds us Maui’s true treasures are made right here, by the hands of our community.
See you there—and let’s continue to celebrate and support all that’s made in Maui County.
Liza Pierce of A Maui Blog is an Interactive Media enthusiast. She started blogging in 2006 and she loves talking story online and spreading aloha around the world. She’s been living on Maui since 1994 and considers Maui her home. A wife, a mother, a friend…and so much more. She loves Jesus, and is a Maui sunsets catcher; crazy about rainbows and an end Alzheimer’s advocate. Her life is full and exciting here on Maui.
Liza is currently the Digital Media Specialist with Hawai‘i Life Real Estate Brokers. She is the author of the book Maui 2021 and Beyond.