Celtic Pipers in Makawao Parade

If you haven’t had the pleasure of witnessing the Makawao Independence Day parade this should be your year to do so. Horses festooned with floral leis, artistic face and body painting, kids perched on fenceposts – you’ll find a rare, old-fashioned, home town feeling at Makawao’s parade and rodeo this weekend.

More than 350 paniolos (cowboys) attend the rodeo from all over the world and compete at Oskie Rice Rodeo Arena, Makawao Rodeo, a mile above Makawao town, on Olinda Road at Kaanaolo Ranch on Maui. This Hawaiian style rodeo, with rough stock and roping events, features rodeo clowns and true grit excitement. Before and after the rodeo, enjoy live entertainment and country western dancing and a verity of local favorite foods and drink. What a great way to expand your horizons and take part in the great diversity present on such a small island as Maui.

Parade Makawao

While in Makawao be sure to stop into Market Fresh Bistro (808- 572-4877) for breakfast or lunch. Recent winners of the Aipono Award for Sustainability, Market Fresh proves up the adage “there is no place like home when home is Maui No Ka Oi.” With 80-90% of ingredients on the menu procured within 50 miles of this locavore haven, one need look no further than this courtyard eatery to answer the question posed by the Slow Food assemblage: Q: “Does food grown closer to home taste better?” A: A resounding YES!