Aloha and Welcome to the Maui Pops
Our orchestra was founded in 2004 and is dedicated to presenting both light classical and contemporary pops music for Maui residents and visitors. We wish to entertain, educate, and empower our listening audience to fully enjoy the broad spectrum of music written for our orchestra. And, as much as possible, we want to provide a fun, family-oriented musical experience to the children of Maui as well as promote Hawai’i-based artists and entertainers. We hope this website has all the information you might be seeking regarding the Maui Pops Orchestra. Make sure to check our Concerts Page for more detailed information about upcoming events.
Our Maui Pops Office Phone: 808-868-2639
Maui Pops Chamber Players
We had a fabulous time at our Classical Chamber Music Concert August 24th at Saint Anthony Church! Beautiful music of Dvořák, Raff, Bach, Bizet and Haydn filled the afternoon air. The audience response has been very positive so far. If you attended, and have not already done so, please do complete our short survey. (see link below)
Please let us know how you felt about our August 24th concert. Your input is valuable to our future!
(Photo credit Jerry Chong and New York Philharmonic Shelby White & Leon Levy Digital Archives)
Sixty-five years ago on August 24, 1960 Leonard Bernstein was honored by Mayor Eddie Tam with the key to Maui County (pictured above).
Maestro Bernstein was on Maui with over 100 members of the New York Philharmonic for a private luau in celebration of his 42nd birthday. The luau was held at the Alaeloa beach home of Kiyoshi Yabui, a Kahului School teacher.
The orchestra performed at the Waikiki Shell in Honolulu August 22nd and 23rd as part of Honolulu Symphony’s “Starlight Series.” The group flew to Maui for the luau the following day, courtesy of Aloha Airlines.
The key could not be kept with the Bernstein Collection at the Library of Congress due to space limitations, so it was returned to the Bernstein family. The family presented it to Charlie Harmon, knowing of his deep love of Hawaii. Harmon was a former Bernstein assistant who inventoried the entire collection of Bernstein memorabilia. In March 2022 Mr. Harmon sent the key to the Maui Pops Orchestra writing, “I now return the key to Hawaii, where I hope it can be displayed as a reminder of the aloha music plays in our common culture, whether it is an orchestra of a hundred or Israel Kamakawiwoʹole’s magnificent solo voice.”
We are hard at work designing an exciting 2025-2026 Pops concert season. Formal announcement coming soon! Tickets on sale online only beginning October 2025
Supported by the Hawai`i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA), through appropriations from the Legislature of the State of Hawai`i or grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).
Further support provided by people just like you! Mahalo for your support of the Maui Pops Orchestra!
Kalani Pe’a & members of Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua with Maui Pops
Orchestra December 10, 2023 – Photo credit Lorne Direnfeld
Every gift to Maui Pops Orchestra helps us keep the music alive.
The Maui Pops Orchestra is a 501(c)(3) organization. We need and ask for your financial support to sustain our important role in the cultural life on Maui. Your donations are fully tax deductible, and we hope you will consider making a donation to help us meet our future financial obligations. Your donation is an investment in the quality of life on Maui.
Maui Pops Orchestra Office: 95 Mahalani Street Room 6, Wailuku,
Hawaii 96793
Maui Pops Office Phone: 808-868-2639