THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Spend an hour with Makahiki in Kihei — an intimate theater piece that uses shadow play, original music, and movement to mark the arrival of Lono and the Makaliʻi star cluster. Fast-paced and family-friendly, this show is a concentrated cultural experience that pairs well with a day at the beach.
Spend an hour with Makahiki in Kihei — an intimate theater piece that uses shadow play, original music, and movement to mark the arrival of Lono and the Makaliʻi star cluster. Fast-paced and family-friendly, this show is a concentrated cultural experience that pairs well with a day at the beach.
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Operated by ProArts Playhouse · Kihei, Hawaii
Makahiki is a one-hour production staged in Kihei on Maui’s southwest shore. Performed at 1280 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753, the piece is produced by ProArts Playhouse and Collective Pilina Theatre and co-directed by Hōkū Pavao and Stephie Garrett. It honors the arrival of Lono and the appearance of Makaliʻi, marking the opening of the Makahiki season — a traditional interval of peace, harvest, and community obligation.
Onstage the company layers shadow theatre, original music, and choreographed movement to convert sky, song, and story into a tactile experience. Key features include shadow puppetry that carves silhouettes onto fabric, live composition that mixes percussive island rhythms with vocal passages, and ensemble movement that evokes agricultural ritual and wayfinding. Those theatrical elements are the production’s distinct geology: instead of cliffs and coves, light and silhouette shape the landscape of meaning.
Makahiki is produced by ProArts Playhouse and Collective Pilina Theatre, with season sponsors The Wilder Foundation, Carol Langer, the Koraleski Family, and Donald Helfgott and Marianne Loeb, and thanks to the County of Maui’s Office of Economic Development for support of the ProArts Ulu Workforce Development Program. Co-directors Hōkū Pavao and Stephie Garrett guide an intimate cast through a compact arc designed for both evening and matinee audiences. Performances run December 4–13, including Thursday Kama'aina Nights with 10% off, $5 off for teens, and $10 off for keiki.
For visitors centered on outdoor pursuits—surfing, snorkeling, and shoreline strolling—Makahiki offers a cultural counterpoint. After a morning at the nearby Kamaole Beach Parks or a whale-watch from Maalaea, an hour in the theatre connects those oceanic routines to the island’s seasonal calendar and celestial markers like Makaliʻi. The show is short, family-friendly, and intentionally accessible; inquire about the Access for All initiative when booking.
Practical tips: arrive 15–20 minutes early to find parking and settle into the lighting that makes shadow work sing, and expect restrictions on flash photography during performance. Buy tickets in advance via the booking link; limited seating and evening demand mean shows can sell out. For travelers seeking a concentrated cultural encounter between outdoor adventures, Makahiki is a focused, evocative way to experience Maui’s living traditions and the artists who keep them visible.
Expect a compact runtime and concentrated storytelling: the one-hour format keeps momentum tight and makes the production perfect for families and day-trippers who want cultural programming without a long evening commitment. The staging rewards close attention — subtle sound cues, layered voices, and deliberate choreography reveal new details on repeat viewings — and the show functions as a living classroom that supports local artists and apprentice programs. When planning, pair the performance with a shore-side dinner and a sunset walk to extend the evening in true island fashion together.
The show runs approximately one hour with no intermission.
Performances are staged at 1280 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753; arrive early to locate parking and seating.
Yes—Thursdays are Kama'aina Nights for 10% off, plus $5 off for teens and $10 off for keiki as listed for this run.
Yes. The production is designed to be accessible to families and youth; check with the box office for age recommendations for specific scenes.
Flash and disruptive photography may be restricted to preserve the shadow theatre; ask staff if you’re unsure.
The production mentions an Access for All initiative—contact the box office or venue directly to confirm specific accessibility accommodations.
ProArts Playhouse is a performing arts venue and presenting organization that curates live music, comedy, film, magic, and community-centered events. The Playhouse programs an eclectic calendar that features local and touring artists, including Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning bands, singer-songwriters, jazz and blues ensembles, improv and stand-up comedy, and film screenings. ProArts Playhouse collaborates with regional artists and media partners to present headline concerts, themed nights, salon concerts, monthly improv shows, and benefit performances that support local causes. Audiences can expect professionally produced shows with varied formats — full-band concerts, intimate duo sets, solo comedy and magic performances, and film presentations. Recent listings include headline bands, guitar showcases, harp and soul duos, a long-running Blues, Rock & Soul Revue featuring guest instrumentalists, comedy series inspired by short-form improv, and family-friendly magic shows. Program notes reference partnerships and return engagements that signal ongoing community ties. ProArts Playhouse emphasizes accessibility of diverse artistic styles and fosters audience connection by hosting celebrations, dance parties, and educational talks alongside entertainment. Ticketed events often highlight award-winning musicians and guest artists noted in event descriptions. The organization’s public calendar and event listings provide details on show length, featured performers, and special programming. For patrons seeking live entertainment across multiple genres, ProArts Playhouse serves as a reliable source for curated performances, standing out for its breadth of offerings and consistent presentation of local and touring talent. Event pages list ticketing, accessibility, contact details and FAQs to help attendees plan visits and reserve seats easily online ahead of performances.
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