The Chinese make up about 5% of the Hawaii population, and Lunar New Year is widely celebrated in most cities. On Maui, the largest festivities are held in downtown Lahaina. Lahaina Restoration Foundation runs the annual free Chinese New Year Celebration with lion dances, kung fu demonstrations, music, and cultural performances.
Most of the Lahaina Chinese New Year events take place at the Wo Hing Museum & Cookhouse on Lahaina’s Front Street. The celebration starts in the afternoon with family-friendly activities such as crafts and storytelling for kids. Evening activities start at about 7 pm: firecrackers get lit and the lions go dancing down Front Street while people feed them red envelopes for good luck. Musical performance in the yard features drums, gongs, cymbals, and other traditional instruments.
Other Lunar New Year celebrations on Maui take place in Wailuku. The traditional lion dance is usually performed on Market Street near Wailuku Banyan Tree Park.
