The annual Haiku Ho’olaule’a & Flower Festival will be held this year on Saturday MARCH 5th, 2011, 9:00am – 4:30p.m at the Haiku Community Center on Hana Highway in Haiku. This popular event is a yearly attraction where the community as well as visitors can enjoy live entertainment, great food, bake sale, farmer’s market, lei & floral contests, plant sale, arts & crafts,silent auction, book sale, Haiku historical display, pony rides, jumpy castles and kids’ games galore!
We are in our 18th year of this festival and this year’s theme is “OUR KULEANA.” Staying with our Green theme from last year of taking responsibility for ourselves, our keiki, and our community. This year the “Green Living” tent will be bigger and better, showcasing local businesses that nurture the island’s sustainability. Community Service Booths from local non-profit organizations will also be on hand with information on topics such as invasive species, health issues, litter removal, social concerns and much more. We are still moving in the direction of being completely “green” by using recycled products, not selling disposable water bottles and encouraging our vendors to use plastic bag alternatives.
New this year is our SCHOOL GARDEN. “Mala O Haiku” the Haiku school garden has been opened since last Oct 2010. We are so proud to be the first Maui Elementary School to have a school garden of its size. Our master gardeners have been working with the 5th grade, special needs classes, and now have started with the 4th grade classes. Our keiki have helped set up the garden, learned to prepare soil, create compost, along with plant and harvest the food. The purpose of the school garden is a multi-level education. Our keiki gain an appreciation for plants and where food comes from. They enjoy the connection with nature which helps establish healthy eating habits. The process also promotes team building relationships.
The free entertainment this year will include: Dr. Nat, Marty Dread, Cathy Collins, Livacious, Sundance, Kanekoa as well as Haiku School student performances. There will be continuous entertainment throughout the day. The morning always starts with one of the most delicious and best Bake Sales ever! Donuts, pastries, pies, bread, cookies and coffee throughout the day!
New to the event this year will be RESTAURANT ROW – individual restaurants from around the community preparing and presenting locally grown dishes such as: Max World Bistro, Flatbread Pizza, Cafe Prada Nui, Other food booths will showcase: Ono Gelato (gelato), Penguini (ice-cream sandwiches), Cafe Des Amis(smoothies), Flatbread Company (pizza), Mana Foods (turkey & veggie wraps), Coconut Flows (sugar cane juice). Of course we also have our usual fare of chow fun, grilled chicken plate, Cesar salad, hot dogs, hamburgers and chili and rice and lots more!
Activities are geared towards all ages and some are absolutely free, like the kids’ art project and the Maui Flower Grower’s Association lei and floral design contests. A silent auction with wonderful items to choose from is one of the featured events of the Ho’olaule’a, as well as Haiku School PTA’ Farmer’s Market for produce and cut flowers as well as numerous Plant Vendors selling unique plants, flowers and local produce at reasonable prices. These usually go quickly, so shop early for the best items. The Craft Vendor Booths feature “Made on Maui” Arts & Crafts with jewelry, clothing, original artwork and “special find” items by local artists. Of course the children will love the various games, Pua Ohana photo booth, book sale, dinosaur golf, jumping castles and our NEW ACTIVITY – obstacle course on our newest play structure organized by Keiki Fit Zone of Haiku and Gymnastic by Maui Tumblers.
Everyone will enjoy the expanded Haiku Living Legacy Historical Display, which includes photographs and memorabilia from the early days in Ha’iku. You can see what Ha’iku was like during the past century and learn about the history of the area.
Donations for the Ha’iku School PTA Farmer’s Market, Bake Sale, Silent Auction and Food are encouraged and tax deductible. Call 575-3004 to arrange or pick up or delivery. This is the main fundraising event for the Ha’iku Elementary Schoool, with the help and support of the Ha’iku Boys and Girls Club and Ha’iku Community Association. Money raised goes towards programs for local youth education enrichment and activities.
