Wailuku First Friday

3.5 stars.
We’ve been coming to this event nearly every month for the past 4 years, but ever since December 2015, we took an almost 6 month hiatus due to changing life situations.
The first and original Maui Friday event is still going on, but unfortunately not going on strong. I’m not sure what the problem is, but food vendor quantity has dwindled significantly, which means selection and variety have fallen as well, which results in less attendance overall. There are some loyal, original vendors still present such as Uptown Chevron, Asian Star, Saigon Café, T and J’s, Kettle Corn King, Sumo Dogs, Maui Samosas, and the pastele people. Recent newcomers like Al’s BBQ Pit, Three’s Food Truck, and Maui Gyros are hanging on as well. Unfortunately absent are Badua’s Crepes, the garlic noodle people, and any form of burger sales.
BEER GARDEN:
The beer garden is still the highlight of the event, for our gang anyway. It’s our time to have a few brews, eat, and mingle with others. To be honest, there is no restaurant or bar on the isle that has this laid back vibe that offers outdoor ambiance with food, drinks, and entertainment all-​in-​one. The posters say their hours are from 5:00 pm — 9:30 pm but they never open on time. This last time we went, (June 2016) they didn’t open until close to 6:15pm. They had a DJ playing a mix of genres though the poster stated «disco music.» Also on this one particular night they did a special with craft beers, adding 3 types of canned beer, which tasted horrible to some of us, along with the usual Stella Artois but minus Shock Top and Bud Light. Wine is also available.
ENTERTAINMENT:
They still have the main stage near the Maui Thing store, and the smaller stage under the banyan tree. The acts rotate, and some new ones are brought in as well.
CRAFT BOOTHS:
I’m not a shopper of these but from walking down Market Street, there aren’t as many as before.
FOOD:
Shoyu Chicken — Uptown Chevron — This wasn’t just some boring old shoyu chicken. These were some awesomely delicious skin-​on, bone-​in thighs that were super tender and full of flavor. It came with a scoop of rice which I asked them to pour some of the broke-​da-​mouth drippings over which they happily did, and a scoop of some pretty legit potato macaroni salad. You can also pick this up at their food mart. Highly recommended.
OVERALL:
Smaller in every possible way. We’ll still patronize but not monthly.

Good fun, music, and grinds. Some nights is crowded especially when there’s a great band or fashion show, most nights it’s just the right mix of Maui people.
It’s a nice event for Tourons to actually stop being afraid and get out of your steel coffin (rent a car) and touch, dance, eat, listen, have fun on Maui all in one spot.

Food is great! Music is great! Every first Friday is great! Such a family friendly event! I love the music! Once in a while they’ll sing a book to the kids! Sooo cute! (Depends who’s singing that day). Overall such a good place to check out if your hungry on the first Friday of the month and have nothing to do! Get out, eat, walk and dance a little!

Best thing to do on the first Friday of the month. We go every month. Our favs, T Ann J pork adobo (to the left near maui sporting goods), garlic noodles (under the banyan tree), D’s bake shoppe stuffed mochi, M Bakery… Get the peanut buddies (gluten free peanut butter cookies with black salt, YUM!!!) everything else the bakery whips up is awesome too, chocolate coconut macarons, sandy beach (lilikoi mac nut bars), everything is super yummy. Lots of local vendors selling clothing, jewelry, everything… Entertainment is usually awesome. Shops are open late to, maui thing always has cute clothes.

My husband and I went there and had an amazing time. Everyone was so kind and welcoming to us. Was nice to be able to sample a variety of different food and find out what you really like. Met a local officer who was just as kind and gave us a little history of the Friday fun evenings. This’s as the first one to start the others. Love the vibe and 2 stages with live music. Would go back again. Only down fall is parking street parking is available and parking lot behind Market St. was very full but free if you find a spot.

I came here for First Friday while I was in Maui. The street was closed off and there were a bunch of street vendors there with all kinds of goodies.
Parking was a bit difficult. The lots were full so we just drove up the street and walked a bit.
It was raining pretty hard when we were there, but we enjoyed every bit of it, even though we were getting drenched. We looked around at the different vendors. We probably would’ve relaxed and stayed out there longer if it weren’t for the rain.
As for the food there, it was awesome! There were so many different options! I just wanted to try all of them, but we couldn’t. There’s a banyan tree there and a bunch of picnic tables, if you need a place to eat.
It was definitely worth stopping by, being able to see a bit of the local arts and crafts and foods.