Oh Lei!

The Party One of the hottest social events on Maui, this much-awaited annual soiree is one of the island’s top culinary tickets, all in support of MACC’s diverse programs. With the flower-decked theme, Celebration of the Lei, this year’s benefit gala gave Maui’s premier arts complex a whole new tropical allure. The Players MACC CEO Art Vento and Development Director Carol Gentz; event co-chairs Wendy Rice Peterson and Gloria N. Buckingham; former Maui Mayor Kimo Apana; Zadoc Brown Jr., descendant of famed historian John Papa ‘I‘i The Highlights There could have been no better welcome than the gorgeous shower of fresh flowers that rained over guests from a helicopter. Fine wines fueled more fun as well-heeled attendees savored the creations of stellar chefs, including Peter Merriman, Jojo Vasquez and Alan Wong, orchestrated in part by Grand Wailea Resort’s Eric Faivre. Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner Starr Kalahiki jazzed things up, before Jimmy Mac and the Kool Kat heated up the dance floor well into the night. Photography by Jason Moore