'Aha Niu Ola Hiki: Maui Nui Coconut Celebration Festival (2026) | Maui Nui Botanical Gardens

The ‘Aha Niu Ola Hiki: Maui Nui Coconut Celebration Festival is planned for Saturday, June 13, 2026, from 9 AM to 4 PM at the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens in Kahului, Maui. This festival aims to bring together a diverse group of participants including food systems experts, cultural practitioners, local producers, chefs, backyard growers, and the broader Maui Nui community, from keiki to kupuna.

Join us for a day dedicated to honoring and celebrating the niu (coconut), a vital part of Hawaiian and Oceanic culture. The event will feature:

• Opening ceremony with Piko and Pule

• Vendor and educational booths

• Hands-on workshops such as coconut grating and processing

• Presentations on preserving and perpetuating Hawai‘i’s coconut varieties

• Keiki games and competitions

Attendees can participate in various activities designed to raise awareness and engage individuals in the rich tradition of coconut culture. Workshops will cover topics like planting techniques, crafting with coconut husks, and an engaging keiki game titled "Protect the Niu, Capture the Beetle." This event will also feature food vendors representing local cuisine.

Sign up to participate in workshops and engage with educational booths, where you can earn prizes through completed stamp cards for active engagement.

Hosted by Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, this festival strives to build intergenerational support networks and foster a sustainable food future for Hawai‘i.

For registration or more information, visit: event details

Learn more at the organization website.