Maui & Lanai New Year’s Eve Events 2010/2011

For most current UPDATE, see this link: Maui New Year’s Eve Fireworks & Events

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Note: the following list of events are from 2010 for reference purposes only. For December 31, 2013 events to ring in 2014, see our current Maui New Year’s Eve events.

Will you be welcoming in 2011 in Maui or Lanai? You find plenty to do to celebrate New Year’s Eve with a bit of Aloha.

I’ve prepared this list of Maui and Lanai New Year’s Eve events to assist you with your planning. Here’s what’s going on December 31, 2010.

*  Pacific Whale Foundation offers a new Year’s Cocktail Cruise departing at 10:30pm. The cruise departs from Ma’alaea Harbor and includes appetizers, desserts, live island music and cocktails. Pricing starts at $55.96. See this link for more information.

*  Pacific Whale Foundation will host a New Year’s Eve Dinner Cruise departing Lahaina at 10:45pm. This two-hour cruise will include a four-course dinner with Hawaiian style entertainment. Pricing starts at $87.96. Booking online saves you 10%. See this link for all the details.

*  Zoom on into 2011 at Fairmont Kea Lani’s  Totally Tubular New Year’s Eve 80’s Party on New Year’s Eve. The event begins with a reception at 7pm with pupus, games, fortune tellers, and children’s prizes followed by a gourmet buffet featuring lobster and filet mignon. The celebration continues in the Kea Lani Ballroom with dancing and a DJ leading up to the midnight New Year’s Eve countdown. $250.00 per person, 16-20 years old – $100.00, 6-15 years old – $40 and Children 5 years and under complimentary. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please call 808-875-2290 or email concierge.kealani@fairmont.com for reservations. Reservations are limited and are required for this event. Visit www.fairmont.com/kealani/ for more details

*  Ring in the New Year at the Epicurean Delight Dinner Buffet at Sheraton Maui Resort Dinner will be followed by live music, dancing and drink specials at the Cliff Dive Bar. Pricing is $89 for adults, $34.50 for kids ages 12-16yrs old and  $17.25 for children ages 5-11yrs. For reservations, call 808- 661-0031.

*  Molokini Bar and Grille at Makena Beach Resort Maua will offer a special New Years Eve Three-Course Dinner & Celebration with dinner served from 6pm to 9pm and  entertainment from 8:30pm to 12:30am. You can review the three-course menu selections here. Pricing is $62 ($84 with wine pairing) for adults; $30 for child ages 6-12. For reservations, call 808-875-5888.

*  Kaanapali Beach Hotel hosts a New Year’s Eve four-course dinner at Tiki Terrace Restaurant. The menu includes Shrimp Poke Salad, Seafood Lawalu, Ko‘ala Lamb Chops, Seared Opakapaka stuffed with Crab, and more. Finish the meal with decadent winning specialties including Banana Caramel Eruption or Chocolate Fudge Cake. Seating is from 6-9 m and the full course dinner is $55 per adult, $35 for children (ages 6-12). Children 5 years and younger dine free (one child per paid adult). Call 808-667-0124 for reservations.

* Kaanapali Beach Hotel features a Magical Maui New Year’s Eve Party. This dinner party features a mythical extravaganza of world-class illusions and Hawaiian legends starring Jody & Kathleen Baran. This event Includes an arrival Mai Tai, gourmet three-course dinner, pre-show hosted beer & wine bar (no host throughout the evening), dancing, contests, party favors, balloon drop, champagne toast and an early morning breakfast. The dinner menu features three courses with a choice from the following entrées: Fresh Island Snapper, Shrimp & Tenderloin, Grilled Chicken with Shrimp or Marinated Tofu with Sautéed Vegetables.Prices for this extravaganza are: $175 for Gold Circle seating (front row tables), $155 for adult general seating. Special kama‘aina, and children’s pricing are available. Check-in time is 8:30pm and the party ends at 1am. For reservations call 808-667-0124.

*  The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua’s The Banyan Tree will also ring in the new year with sophisticated fare, offering gourmands a five-course menu created by Ryan Urig and an ala carte menu. Live contemporary jazz by Raw Silk and festive party favors will set the stage for a memorable celebration from 5:30 to 10:00pm. After 10pm, the festivities move to the lobby with entertainment until 2am. Pricing is $125 per person. For reservations, call 808-669-6200.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks In Maui Nei

• At the time of preparing this list, there have been no reports of New Year’s Eve fireworks at midnight  in either west or south Maui resort areas. UPDATE:  Per Maui News, there will be fireworks in Wailea and Hana on this New Years Eve. I’d like to note that I have not found any other verification of the Hana or Wailea fireworks.

• I have confirmed that there will be New Year’s Eve fireworks at Hulopoe Beach near Manele Bay on the island of Lana’i. Lana’i is only a 45-minute ferry ride away from Maui. Since the ferry only operates during daylight hours, you’d need to stay overnight at either Four Seasons Lana’i at Manele Bay (where the fireworks show will take place), Four Seasons Lana’i Lodge at Koele, or Hotel Lanai. No matter where you stay on Lanai, an island shuttle is available to pick you up at the ferry and take you anywhere you need to go on the island as well as all your transportation needs. All three Lanai hotels will have restaurants open for a special New Year’s Eve dinner. I spent my New Year’s Eve at Four Seasons Lanai at Manele Bay last year and really, really enjoyed it. The fireworks show at the beach was spectacular.

Advice & Notes:

• Due to demand and this special time of year, some of the special dining events require a 48 or 72 hour cancellation. Please make sure you are aware of the cancellation policy as you make your reservations.
• Unless otherwise noted, you can assume that taxes and gratuity are not included in the pricing listed.
• I recommend you make your reservations as soon as possible to secure the event you prefer. Seating is limited, particularly on the cruises.
• Many restaurants will allow children ages four or five and under to dine for free with each paying adult.

While you’re in Maui and Lanai start practicing the phrase Hau’oli Makahiki Hou, which is the Hawaiian way to say Happy New Year. It’s pronounced, “how-oh-lay ma-ka-hee-key ho”.

Hau’oli Makahiki Hou and happy 2011 everyone!