Happy to Make Your Acquaintance: Steve Grimes Musical Memoir in Kihei

On a warm South Maui evening, an intimate crowd gathers at 1280 S Kihei Rd in Kihei to hear Steve Grimes tell his story through song. Happy to Make Your Acquaintance: A Musical Memoir unfolds as a solo set of originals followed by guest appearances and a full band run with John Cruz and The Ono Grimes Band. The show moves from spare, lyric-forward folk to slinky funk and soft bossa nova, each number revealing a different seam of Maui’s music scene. The venue sits minutes from sugar-white beaches and the palm-lined S Kihei corridor, so the ocean breeze is as much a part of the performance as the instruments. Expect handcrafted guitar tones—Grimes is renowned for building guitars—and warm vocal storytelling that lands equally on humor and heartbreak. The evening’s structure is straightforward: songs, stories, and a communal sense of listening rather than spectacle. Presented with Mana'o Radio, the production keeps the focus on musicianship and local connection; there are free tickets available to those displaced by recent fires. Why book this when you’re on Maui? This is an accessible way to hear island music that isn’t filtered through tourism scripting. The lineup features veteran local players—Dave Frazer, Kerry Sofaly, Barney Cortinez, Jim Cullen—so you’ll watch musicians who’ve shaped this coast’s sound, not a packaged resort set. The meeting point address makes it simple for visitors staying in Kihei, Wailea, or even Kahului to plan an evening that complements a day at the beach. Practical details: the program runs roughly 1.5–2 hours depending on intermissions; bring cash or card for merch and leave room in your evening for a late dinner. Accessibility options are noted on the presenter’s About page, and organizers ask attendees to be mindful of neighbors and local residents when parking on S Kihei Road. This event is family-friendly and welcomes listeners of all ages. Beyond the performance itself, the setting is geological: the south shore’s black lava outcrops give way to white sand and patch reef, and on clear nights you can hear distant surf and feel trade winds that shaped Maui’s coastline millennia. Musicians here often reference place and seascape in lyrics; expect casual references to reef, surf, and local kai (sea). For visitors this creates a layered experience: the music is local not just by personnel but because it grows from the island’s soundscape—wind, waves, and the rhythm of community. If you want texture beyond the coastal views, this show gives you a close look at songcraft, instrument work, and island storytelling. It’s a low-key cultural touchstone for visitors who prefer conversation and craft to spectacle. Arrive early, listen close, and let the songs give you a different view of Maui after sunset.