If you find yourself on Maui in the month of February, either to celebrate Valentine's Day or just because it's time for a well-deserved vacation, you're in luck. Several annual activities take place in February on this Hawaiian island, in addition to its regular year-round activities. You'll enjoy healthy activities such as sampling the local cuisine, arts, outdoor exercise, exploring nature, and learning about the different cultures that are represented in Maui.
Cultural Events and Celebrations
Celebrate Chinese New Year, also called Lunar New Year, in February. Lahaina, on the west side of Maui, hosts festivals and celebrations during the month of February to commemorate this event. On Friday of the early February weekend when Chinese New Year falls, Front St. in Lahaina hosts cultural celebrations where you can see exciting and colorful lion dances. On Saturday, the 800 block of Front Street is blocked off for a festival featuring Chinese martial arts demonstrations, followed by live drumming, and other live music events. The festivities Include Chinese massage, children's crafts, and booths that feature local foods.
Surfing and Water Activities
February sees both the strongest and the mildest winds of the year in Maui, which makes it a popular month for expert and beginner surfers. You'll find surf lessons and equipment rentals on many beaches in Lahaina and Kaanapali for all skill levels. If you're a beginner, check the wind forecast and pick a day when light winds are expected. Then reserve equipment and sign up for a surf lesson. The mild winds make learning to surf easier for beginners. The same is true if you prefer to body board or snorkel. On the other hand, if you're more advanced, pick a day when strong winds are expected. The strong winds create bigger waves and better surfing conditions.
Whale Activities
Humpback whales make their annual migration from Alaska to Hawaii to give birth to their calves and to mate between December and April each year. February is Whale Month on Maui. Throughout the month, activities take place that honor and celebrate these intriguing aquatic mammals. Whale Fest is a two-week series of events celebrating the humpback whales. Activities take place at various places on the island. A one-week Whale Festival is hosted in Lahaina during February, and another takes place in Kalama Park in south of Maui on Whale Day. This festival has been named "Best Community Festival" by a Maui Time Weekly reader's poll. The Whale Day festival is a free day-long family celebration that raises funds for marine education programs for Maui schoolchildren. You'll enjoy live music, local art, a children's carnival, a silent art auction and plenty of local food.
Various whale watching boat tours are also offered in Maui in February to see these gentle giants up close. You can also see whales breaching from the shore in February; no boat or binoculars are required.
Nature and Plant Life
Maui is home to many species of tropical plants and flowers that are not found in most other places around the world. February is the time when several gardens hold festivals and other events to encourage the public to experience Maui's flora. The Haiku Flower Festival, in Haiku, that takes place during the last weekend in February. You'll take part in a lei festival, sample local food, and enjoy live entertainment. Other floral activities in February include visits to local farmers' markets where many florists and gardeners display vibrant Maui flowers, which you can purchase and photograph.
Art Festivals and Events
A handful of art festivals and events occur on Maui in February. The most popular is the Plein Air Painting Invitational that lasts for a week during the middle of the month. The French term "plein air" means "in the open air" and refers to nature painting done outdoors. This event features 25 of the finest plein air painters from Hawaii and the U.S. mainland. Visitors can watch and interact with the artists, who paint everything from Maui's vanishing plantation homes to its pristine beaches. The event takes place at Kapalua Bay in western Maui.
February Friday nights in Lahaina are a great time to browse the art galleries on Front St. Many galleries serve free food and drinks, and provide live music. You can often mingle with the artists to learn more about their work.
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