Photo: Musician, Sunny Kalama

South Maui has always had a rhythm of its own. Maybe it’s the sound of waves rolling into the shoreline, the golden glow of sunset over the ocean, or the way island life naturally slows people down enough to enjoy the moment. 

One of the many perks of living in South Maui is that live music is never far away. Whether you’re looking for a sunset cocktail with a view, a casual evening with local food and island tunes, or a special cultural experience, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the sounds of Maui.

Here are some favorite places to experience live music in South Maui.

Monkeypod Kitchen | Wailea

A longtime South Maui favorite, Monkeypod Kitchen in Wailea is the perfect spot to enjoy local music,

July on Maui moves in two speeds: full tilt over the Fourth of July weekend, then a slower, more local rhythm for the rest of the month. Between upcountry rodeo dust, a long-awaited blessing on Front Street, and a steady run of live music in Kihei, there's a reason to get out most nights. Here's what's worth circling on the calendar.

Blessing for Front Street Railing & Walkway Project

Wed, Jul 1, 2026, 3–4pm

700 block of Front Street, Lahaina (between Lahainaluna Rd & Dickenson St)

Lahaina marks another milestone in its wildfire recovery with a community blessing for the newly completed Front Street Railing and Walkway Project. The work rebuilt roughly 1,450 feet of sidewalk and 700 feet of stainless-steel, ipe-topped railing along the

There's a shift happening in the way people think about their next home — and it's not about square footage or finishes. It's about time.

Not how long the escrow takes. How long they plan to stay. How well a home will serve them not just this season, but a decade from now, and the decade after that. The luxury buyer of 2026 isn't just acquiring property. They're making a decision about how they want to live — and for how long.

Sotheby's International Realty's 2026 Mid-Year Luxury Outlook, released this month, puts a name to what we've been watching unfold here on Maui: longevity is the new luxury. Wellness infrastructure, health-centered design, and the ability to age gracefully in a place you love are now primary drivers for high-net-worth

The County of Maui adopted new real property tax rates effective July 1, 2026. Whether you own a primary home, an investment property, or a vacation rental, here's what changed from the prior year — and what it means for your bottom line.

The Big Picture

The FY2026–27 rate schedule reflects some meaningful adjustments across several categories, with tier breakpoints shifting alongside the rates in key classifications. The County's direction is consistent: reward long-term housing and owner-occupancy, apply greater pressure on investment properties and short-term rentals at the upper end.

Rate Changes by Category

Rates are per $1,000 of net taxable assessed value. FY2025–26 rates were effective July 1, 2025 (Resolution No. 25-88);

This year, eight Island Sotheby's International Realty agents were independently recognized in the 2026 RealTrends Verified rankings, one of the real estate industry's most rigorous and respected performance benchmarks. Each ranking is earned through audited MLS transaction data, which means there is no self-nomination, no subjective panel, and no shortcut. You either did the work, or you didn't.

Our agents did the work.

What makes this recognition meaningful goes beyond the numbers. The agents recognized this year serve buyers and sellers across West Maui, Upcountry, and South Maui, working in markets as varied as the island itself, and sharing one thing in common: a genuine commitment to the people and places they serve.

Leading the group

There's a particular kind of magic that happens when you drive up into Upcountry Maui. The air shifts — cooler, cleaner, laced with something green. The light softens. And suddenly you're in a place where things grow that have no business thriving at sea level: lavender, protea, ʻōhiʻa lehua, naupaka, fruit trees heavy with durian and jaboticaba. For those who live here, that relationship with the land is woven into daily life. For those considering a move Upcountry, it's one of the quiet revelations that comes early — this is a place where you can actually grow things.

Here's a guide to the nurseries and gardens that make it all possible, organized roughly from the north shore up to Kula.

NatureWorks Nursery — Haiku

NatureWorks is a

June on Maui is a sweet spot — the island is lush from spring rains, the ocean has settled into its clearest summer blue, and the trade winds keep things comfortable well into the evening. It is also one of the busiest months on the cultural calendar, with free outdoor films, a royal parade, world-class concerts, and festivals that have been drawing locals and visitors alike for decades. Whatever brings you to the Valley Isle this month, there is something worth showing up for.

Starry Night Cinema: Zootopia 2 & Lilo and Stitch

Fri June 5 & Sat June 6, 2026 · Gates 6:00 pm, Film 7:30 pm each night

A&B Amphitheater Lawn / Castle Theater, MACC, Kahului

The MACC's Starry Night Cinema series kicks off the month with two back-to-back

West Maui has a way of pulling your attention with a single glance. The ocean, the light, the ridgelines of the Pali, the stretch of coastline from Olowalu to Honolua. It is the kind of place where most people are thinking about where to swim, where to eat, or where to catch the sunset.

Look past the scenery for a moment, and something else comes into focus. A lot of what you are seeing is not just beautiful, it is layered with history that goes back nearly a thousand years. For example, this coastline was first settled between roughly 600 and 1100 AD. By the 15th century, all of Nā Hono a Piʻilani, the six bays of West Maui, were under the rule of Chief Piʻilani. He unified East and West Maui, strengthening the island’s political power and extending

May on Maui belongs to the kama'āina — the humpbacks have headed back to Alaska, the visitor crowds are still thin, and the island fills its calendar with the kind of events that remind you exactly why you live here. From Lei Day celebrations to surf contests, craft fairs to cultural performances, there's something worth showing up for almost every day, and some weekends you'll have to choose.

Lei Day on Maui

May 1, 2026

Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House, Wailuku

May Day is Lei Day in Hawaiʻi, and one of the most beloved celebrations on the island happens right in the heart of historic Wailuku. The Maui Historical Society's Lei Day Heritage Festival transforms the peaceful grounds of the Bailey House into a living celebration

South Maui is often experienced through its beaches, sunshine, and easygoing coastal lifestyle…but there’s another side to being here that’s just as meaningful. Across Kihei and Wailea, there are countless ways to connect more deeply with the island through mālama, caring for the land, the ocean, and the community that makes this place home.

For residents and visitors alike, giving back isn’t separate from the Maui experience; it’s part of it. Whether you’re here for a week or a lifetime, there are meaningful ways to step in, connect, and contribute. Below are a few ways to get involved across Kihei and Wailea, with exactly how to start.

Aloha Backpack Buddies (Maui Food Bank)

Supporting local families often begins with something simple: