Mayor Richard Bissen announced on Apr. 23 that the Maui County Fair will return for its 99th year from October 1 to 4, 2026, at the War Memorial Special Events Complex in Wailuku. Applications for nonprofit food vendors and product and service exhibitors are open until May 15.
The fair is a longstanding tradition in Maui, offering a space for families to gather and celebrate local culture. Mayor Bissen said, “The return of the Maui County Fair brings back a tradition our community really values. It’s a place where families reconnect, local traditions are shared, and our keiki get to experience simple joys they’ll carry with them for years to come.”
After being paused in 2020 due to financial challenges, the event was revived last year with county funding and drew more than 115,000 attendees. This year’s fair will be organized by Daryl Fujiwara of Festivals of Aloha, who also directed last year’s event. Mayor Bissen has proposed allocating $1.5 million from the General Fund to support this year’s fair through Fujiwara as contractor.
Fujiwara said, “The Maui County Fair is a celebration of our island’s culture, creativity and community. From local food to homegrown businesses, our vendors and exhibitors are at the heart of the fair experience.” Vendor spaces are limited; selection criteria include menu quality or product features, pricing or value offered, operational readiness or compliance with requirements, and commitment to serving the community.
Deadlines for vendor applications include May 15 for submissions from all vendors and exhibitors; notifications will be issued by May 30 for food vendors and June 1 for products and services exhibitors. Payment is due by June 15 if selected applicants wish to confirm their participation.
As it approaches its centennial milestone next year, organizers say the fair continues its role as an important gathering that highlights Maui’s diversity while supporting local organizations and businesses.
