Every Friday:
Maui Friday Town Parties. Enjoy food, live entertainment, shopping and art. Many retailers, galleries and boutiques operate extended hours and highlight special promotions. Crafters, artisans and culinary wizards add their creativity to the event. 6-9 p.m. January 2 – Wailuku, on Market Street; January 9 – Lahaina, on Front Street; January 16 – Makawao, on Makawao and Baldwin Avenues; January 23 – Kihei, on South Kihei Road, Azeka Shopping Center.  For more information visit www.MauiFridays.com.

Thursday, January 1:
An Evening with Bill Maher – 4^th Annual Aloha Live Stand-Up Tour. An evening with the brilliantly funny Bill Maher and his characteristic combination of unflinching honesty and big laughs. Bill Maher opened the floodgates of funny political talk with his television shows, Politically Incorrect and Real Time. Note: show will have adult content and language. Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Castle Theater, 1 Cameron Dr., Kahului. 8 p.m. For tickets and information call (808) 242-7469 or visit www.mauiarts.org.

Every Wednesday & Thursday:
Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concert. Host and slack key guitar master George Kahumoku, Jr. is joined by renowned slack key masters who are true ambassadors of their music, their culture and their land for an evening of traditional Hawaiian songs and authentic “talk-story”. January 1 – “Everyone is Kama`aina”, Da Ukulele Boys; January 7 & 8 – Mark Yamanaka; January 14 & 15 – Ledward Kaapana; January 21 & 22 – Paul Togioka; January 28 & 29 – Herb Ohta. Seating is limited. Dinner/Show packages are available. Located at the Pavilion at the Napili Kai Beach Resort, Napili. 7:30 p.m. For tickets and information call (888) 669-3858 or visit www.slackkeyshow.com.

Every Wednesday and Thursday:
Helping Paws Visitor Volunteer Program. Do you miss your pet when traveling? Visitors can offer a “helping paw” to homeless animals at the Maui Humane Society shelter, located in Pu`unene (central Maui), on Mokulele Hwy. between Kihei and Kahului. 1 to 3 p.m. Help with such activities as walking dogs, bathing puppies, brushing cats, or playing with puppies and kittens. Arrive by 1 p.m. and wear close-toed shoes and comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty. For Maui visitors only. Children age 10 to 17 are welcome when accompanied by a supervising adult for the duration. Advance reservations required. Register online at MauiHumaneSociety.org, “Get Involved/Volunteer/HelpingPawsVisitorProgram”.

Wednesday, December 31:
Fireworks Display at The Grand Wailea Resort. Enjoy a 7 minute New Year’s Eve fireworks display at Midnight from a barge off the coastline of Wailea.  Please note that Maui County Beach parking lots close and will be secured at 8 p.m. The Shops at Wailea will secure their lot early for restaurant and private party guests only.  Resort Hotels anticipate 100% occupancy and parking for non-guests will be limited.

Wednesday, December 31: New Year’s Eve Cruise. Ring in the New Year aboard a fun and festive starlight cruise. While watching the fireworks displays up and down the cost, enjoy live island-style musical entertainment along with tantalizing appetizers. Pacific Whale Foundation’s New Year’s Eve Cocktail Cruises departs from M`aalaea Harbor at 10:15 p.m. Pacific Whale Foundation, Ma`alaea Harbor, Wailuku. For tickets and information call (808) 249-8811 ext. 1, or book online at www.pacificwhale.org.

Sunday, December 28:
Wailea Village Mochi Pounding. Celebrate making traditional rice cakes the “old-fashioned” way. Everyone takes their turn at pounding the glutinous sticky rice for good luck. Hearty local style lunch for $5. New Years crafts, calligraphy & floral arrangements, plantation stories, Okinawan taiko drumming, Hawaiian entertainment & more. Akiko’s Buddhist Bed & Breakfast, 29-2091 Old Mamalahoa Hwy., Hakalau. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information call (808) 963-6422 or visit www.akikosbnb.com.

Thursday, December 18:
Hawaiian Music Series. Relax under the stars and enjoy a free concert featuring local musicians. Chairs are limited and blankets, mats, and low beach chairs are welcome. The Baldwin Home Museum is located in the heart of Lahaina, on the corner of Front and Dickenson Streets, Lahaina. 6 to 7:30 p.m. For information call (808) 661-9309 or visit www.lahainarestoration.org.

Sunday, December 14:
Jason Mraz and Raining Jane. California-based singer/songwriter whose laid-back, melodic songs reveal influences from folk to hip-hop to soft rock. Mraz met up with LA-based folk-rock band Raining Jane in 2006, and they have been collaborating and songwriting together ever since! Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Pavilion/Amphitheater, 1 Cameron Way, Kahului. 7:30 p.m. For tickets and information call (808) 242-7469 or visit www.mauiarts.org.

Saturday, December 13:
MAPA’s Nutcracker Sweets. A delightful family-friendly production of the treasured classic featuring 150 MAPA students. With sumptuous costumes and inspired choreography set to the timeless Tchaikovsky score, Nutcracker Sweets is a must-see event for all ages. Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Castle Theater, 1 Cameron Way, Kahului. Two shows – 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. For tickets and information call (808) 242-7469 or visit www.mauiarts.org.