Events

2025 Maui Music and Food Experience - Chicago

The 3rd Annual Maui Music & Food Experience: Aloha Comes to Chicago

On November 7, 2025, the Maui Music & Food Experience brought its celebrated blend of music, food, and purpose to Chicago’s Copernicus Center — extending its 2-city benefit concert tour and its mission to provide meals, accelerate the Lahaina rebuild, and launch the new Hua Momona Youth Ukulele Ensemble and Music Program for teenagers from Lahaina.

The night’s lineup was a stunning collection of artists across genres. Nicholas Tremulis & the Prodigals opened with special guests Bernard Fowler (The Rolling Stones) and Naiwi Teruya, followed by the incomparable Lisa Fischer, whose voice is widely regarded as one of the greatest in popular music. Hawaiian singer-songwriter John Cruz brought the aloha spirit to the mainland stage, and blues and soul legend Bettye LaVette closed the night with a headline performance. DJ Lady D kept the energy flowing throughout the evening.

The culinary experience featured food by Lahaina’s own Da Local Boy, in collaboration with Hua Momona’s chef Zach Laidlaw — bringing a genuine taste of Maui to the heart of Chicago.

To date, the Hua Momona Foundation has raised a combined $450,000+ across all three events and served over 80,000 hot, fresh meals to those impacted by the Lahaina fires.

2025 Maui Music and Food Experience

The 2nd Annual Maui Music & Food Experience: Bigger, Deeper, and Just as Beautiful

Held August 15–16, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, the 2nd Annual Maui Music & Food Experience welcomed over 1,000 guests and raised $200,000 for the Hua Momona Foundation — bringing its cumulative meal count to more than 80,000 hot, fresh meals served to those still rebuilding from the Lahaina fires.

The two-night lineup was a masterful mix of island soul and mainland firepower. Hawaiian artists Paula Fuga, Tavana, Kanekoa, Ledd Kaapana, and Marty Dread anchored the event with deep roots and aloha spirit, while Frank Orrall of Poi Dog Pondering and Thievery Corporation brought his genre-bending presence to the stage. The weekend closed with Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk headlining Saturday night — joined by special guests Mick Fleetwood, Ernie Isley, Bernard Fowler, and Wayne Baker Brooks for an electrifying Jimi Hendrix tribute that brought the house down.

On the culinary side, Next Level Chef winner Gabrielle Chappel and runner-up Zach Laidlaw returned alongside Ryan “Von” Smith (World Rice Champion), Charles Andres of Wailea Beach Resort, Hannah Stanchfield of UHMC, and the multi-talented Frank Orrall, whose cookbook Cooking with the Dandy proved he’s just as comfortable behind the stove as the mic.

Year two made one thing clear — this event is only getting started.

2024 Maui Music and Food Experience

The 1st Annual Maui Music & Food Experience: A Night to Remember

Held September 5–7, 2024, the inaugural Maui Music & Food Experience brought world-class music, extraordinary food, and the healing spirit of community together on Maui — raising over $250,000 for the Hua Momona Foundation across a three-day celebration that drew more than 1,500 attendees.

The centerpiece was a Celebration of Jimi Hendrix at the MACC, featuring a breathtaking lineup of rock and blues royalty: Billy Cox (Jimi Hendrix Experience), Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac), Bernard Fowler and Darryl Jones (Rolling Stones), Ernie Isley (Isley Brothers), Charlie Sexton, Ivan Neville, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Howard Levy, Isaiah Sharkey, and more. On the culinary side, Next Level Chef winner Gabrielle Chappel led a talented roster that included finalists Zach Laidlaw and Christina Miros.

Maui’s own shone just as brightly — the Brian Santana Band, Marty Dread, Gretchen Rhodes Band, Jason Arcilla & The Mad Steppas, DJ Boomshot, and a host of beloved local artists brought the island’s vibrant culture to center stage.

The funds raised have since helped deliver over 80,000 hot, fresh meals to those still recovering from the Lahaina fires — a powerful reminder that this event is about far more than a great weekend of music and food.