Hello and welcome — and thank you for being here for the very first Maui Barefoot Brief. I’m so happy you’re here.

The idea is pretty simple: share some of the best parts of Maui and keep everyone up to date on fun happenings around the island for locals and visitors alike. Along the way we’ll sprinkle in other things we find interesting, inspiring, or just fun.

Nothing too serious… just keeping things lighthearted, a little analog, and always authentic.

Every winter, thousands of whales migrate about 3,000 miles from Alaska to Hawaiʻi’s warm waters to mate, give birth, and raise their calves. By April many start their long journey back north, but you can still spot them around for the next month or so, if you’re lucky.

One of the coolest things about whale season is that sometimes you can actually hear them underwater. If you’ve ever snorkeled this time of year and suddenly heard these deep, almost haunting sounds — that’s likely a humpback whale singing. I’ve been lucky enough to hear them a few times this season, and it’s pretty incredible. Scientists actually record these songs with underwater microphones around Hawaiʻi, and during peak season the ocean around Maui can sound like a giant whale chorus.

Sunday • March 8
• Paia Mantokuji Zen Temple — ZaZen Meditation (7:30–8:30am)
• 47th Annual Paia Mantokuji Rummage Sale & Bazaar (8am–12pm)
• Maui Sunday Market — Kahului (4–8pm)

Monday • March 9
• Free Historic Walking Tour of Kihei (4:30–6pm)

Tuesday • March 10
• Kuraya: A Spellbinding One-Man Show — Royal Lahaina Resort (6–8pm)

Wednesday • March 11
• Wildlife Wednesdays — Hawaiʻi Wildlife Discovery Center (10am–12pm)
• George Kahumoku Jr. Slack Key Guitar Show — Napili Kai (6:30–8pm)

Thursday • March 12
• Free Tai Chi — Queen Kaʻahumanu Center (10–11am)
• Coconut Frond Weaving — The Shops at Wailea (4:30–5:30pm)

Friday • March 13
• Maui Fresh Produce Farmers Market (8am–4pm)
• Maui Honeybee Sanctuary Tour (10:30am–12pm)
• Kamaʻāina Nights — Queen Kaʻahumanu Center (6–8pm)

Saturday • March 14
• Upcountry Farmers Market — Kula (7–11am)
• Maui Swap Meet — Kahului (7am–1pm)
• Kukui Mall Farmers Market — Kahului (8am–12pm)

Sunday • March 15
• Maui Pops Orchestra: Hawaiian Soul — Maui Arts & Cultural Center (3pm)
• Whale sightings still possible as the season winds down

Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 8 — most of the mainland U.S. will move clocks forward one hour.

Hawaiʻi doesn’t observe daylight saving time, so Maui stays on the same time year-round. That just means if you’re coordinating with friends, family, or work on the mainland, the time difference will shift a bit starting this week.

That’s it for this week’s Maui Barefoot Brief. We’d love to hear from you — if there’s something happening around the island or something you’d like to see here, just hit reply and let us know. Community tips and feedback are always welcome. See you next week! Aloha!