The 55th Annual Barrio Fiesta takes center stage on May 24-25
KAHULUI—The 55th Annual Barrio Fiesta will be held at Binhi at Ani Filipino Community Center in Kahului (780 Onehee Avenue, across Maui Waena) on Friday, May 24 (5 p.m. to 10 p.m.) and Saturday, May 25 (10 a.m. to 10 p.m.), according to a press release from the organization.
“We are pleased to again present the 55th Annual Barrio Fiesta,” says Melen Agcolicol, president of Binhi at Ani. “We continue to share our rich Filipino culture—whether it’s through food, entertainment, exhibits, and contests so our youth will not forget their roots and the rest of Maui can also appreciate our Filipino culture.”
The Barrio Fiesta was initiated by the Maui Filipino CommunityCouncil and first held on May 31, 1970 at the War Memorial grounds near the swimming pool.
At that time, there was an influx of recent immigrants from the Philippines. Today, the need to share the Filipino culture with all of Maui’s residents remains true as Maui’s Filipino community continues to grow by leaps and bounds.
Food, culture, pageantry, entertainment, contests and special events will be featured during the 55th Annual Barrio Fiesta.
“This year’s Barrio Fiesta® will include a Special Tribute to the families of the Lahaina fire,” says Nora Cabanilla-Takushi, Event Chairperson and a Lahaina fire survivor. “The Sakada Bell will be tolled 103 times—to remember the 101 who died in the Lahaina fire and the two who are still missing. After the tolling of the Sakada Bell by members of the Maria Lanakila Filipino Catholic Club, the members will participate in a candle light procession, during which the 103 names will be read.”
At least 40% of Lahaina’s residents are of Filipino ancestry. As part of the Opening Ceremonies, members of the Lahainaluna High School Filipino Club will sing their alma mater.
Of course, traditional Filipino food and desserts will be offered such as arroz caldo, baduya, balut, banana lumpia, bangus, bibingka, cascaron, chicharon, chicken adobo, crispy pork, dinuguan, empanada, fish ball, halo
halo, ice candy, inkiwar, kikiam, kwek-kwek, lechon, longanisa, miki, pansit, patopat, pinakbet, pork adobo, pork and peas, pork lumpia, pork sisig, puto, sago gulaman, suman, sweet potato lumpia, tupig, and vegetable lumpia. And a few local favorites such as bbq beef, bbq pork, boiled peanuts, chicken hekka, chow fun and slushy drinks.
At 10 p.m. on Saturday, there will be drawings (no entry fee required, one entry per person, must be 18 years or older, entry must match government issued ID, must be present to win) for travel to Las Vegas sponsored by Allstate Insurance/Brent Wylam, Agent and travel to the Philippines sponsored by Philippine Airlines.
Inside the Center, there will be a replica of a Bahay Kubo created by the Bahay Kubo Heritage Foundation. Cultural villages depicting several provinces/regions of the Philippines will also be featured: Cebu created by Sto. Niño Organization of Maui; Cordillera created by Law Offices of Alfredo Evangelista, A Limited Liability Law Company; Ilocos Norte created by Miguel Agcolicol; Ilocos Sur created by Ilocos Surian Association of Maui; Metro Manila created by Maui Revival Church; Mindanao created by La Galería: Compañía Baile Filipino; and Pangasinan created by Wena Gazmen. The best cultural village will receive a $500 prize. Cultural villages will be graded on culture, originality, presentation and interactivity.
Vying for the title of Miss
Barrio Fiesta® are Trisha Mariz Jose Basig, daughter of Rizalino and Lizette Basig; and Gianna Cheryze Magbual, daughter of Jovy Magbual and Maria Hall. The 2024 Miss Barrio Fiesta® will be crowned on Friday evening at 7:30 p.m.
Special Events include The Santa Cruzan depicting the finding of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena featuring past Miss Barrio Fiesta® queens (Friday at 6:30 p.m.); the Veterans Memorial Service (Saturday at 12 noon); and the Outstanding Housekeepers Awards (Saturday at 8:30 p.m.).
And a lechon demonstration sponsored by In Memory of Stanley Magbual (Saturday) will be held on Saturday.
“We’re very excited to present the 55th Annual Barrio Fiesta—the longest running Filipino fiesta in the United States,” says Cabanilla-Takushi. “We could not have continued this unmatched tradition without the support of our sponsors, advertisers, donors, vendors, entertainers, volunteers and the Miss Barrio Fiesta® contestants. There is definitely something for everyone at the Barrio Fiesta®—food, culture, contests and entertainment. It’s a terrific way to continue to share our culture with all of Maui and to be with old and new friends.”
Major sponsors include County of Maui, Bayer Crop Science Hawaii, US Renal Care, ILWU, Philippine Airlines, Allstate/Brent Wylam, Maria Hall & Family, Pukalani Superette, Four Sisters Bakery, Four Sisters Catering and Copy Services. Call (808) 242-8100 for more information or visit Facebook.com/BinhiatAniFilipinoCommunityCenter