Hawaii Halloween FAQ
The following are Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Halloween in Hawaii.
When do the festivities in Lahaina begin?
The festivities begin at 4:30pm with the childrens parade. We recommend you get there as early as possible to find parking and enjoy some of the shops while they're open. Arriving before 3 will assure that you don't have to wait in the long slow traffic to Lahaina.
Where do we park?
There will be dozens of parking lots to park at for a fee. Finding parking where you don't have to pay is unrealistic unless you get there early in the morning. Front Street is blocked from vehicle traffic from 3:30 to 11:30pm. If you are driving, please be wary of drunk drivers.
Does anyone go without a Halloween costume?
It's pretty much impossible to find anyone out of costume. The least you'll see are some thrown together costumes, but everyone has something. That's what makes Halloween in Lahaina so great!
Is there food and drinks available?
If you want a sit down meal, you'll want to get to Lahaina very early. Otherwise you'll wait for hours. There are booths for food in Banyan Tree Park. These booths are run by non-profit organizations and are often very good. Alcohol is not permitted on the street, but the bars all up and down Front St are open and bumping. You'll find that they have cover charges and can be difficult to get into in the later hours due to capacity. The second story bars are the best because of the great views.
Does it cost anything to get into the Halloween carnival on Front Street?
There is no admission to the festivities, though bars and some restaurants will have cover charges.
Is it safe in Lahaina on Halloween?
This year, Lahaina will have 80 police officers patrolling on October 31st. There will be an additional 80 or so volunteers as well. Lahaina is probably the safest place to be at on Halloween because of the overwhelming caution of the police force. After it gets dark, you may want to take the kids home. People can tend to get drunk and rowdy and some people wear revealing outfits. There will be check points to stop drunk drivers as well as random stops.
Is there anything special for the kids to do?
The Children's Costume Parade begins at 4:30pm and is great fun.
When does the big Halloween contest begin and what are the prizes?
The Lahaina Halloween Costume Contest begins at 7pm and runs all evening. It is held on a stage in Banyan Tree Park. There is a constant flow of contestants as well as audience members, so participation either way is easily done. The grand prize is $1,000 and the winners are usually handmade art masterpieces. I'm certain that the people who come in the top 20 have spent thousands to build their costumes. For these enthusiasts, Halloween costume making is a labor of love.
I have a great outfit for my dog. Can pets enter the competition?
Pets will not be allowed on Front Street for Halloween this year. If you'd still like to dress up your pets, check out these great PET COSTUMES.
If you have any other questions, please email Lahaina Halloween Experts at:
My favorite costumes were the group ones. 101 dalmations were pretty great, but my favorite was "Studio 53", a moving club with spinning dj, pole dancing, and bouncers holding the rope circle up for the pretty girls to dance in.
-Cassie Degrazier, Paia