Volume 2, Number 2
FREE
June, 2025
For 30 Years, Arts Culture Keeps Thriving T By Taryn Kama
his spring, the Maui Arts & Cultural Center (MACC) celebrates its 30th anniversary—a milestone three decades in the making. Since its opening in 1994, the MACC has become the beating heart of Maui’s cultural scene, hosting everything from international music legends and hula festivals to gallery exhibitions, meetings and dance classes. To mark the occasion, the Schaefer International Gallery is presenting a commemorative exhibition titled “THREE DECADES,” on view through June 13, 2025. The retrospective blends archival materials, videos, and original artwork to tell the story of MACC’s evolution from concept to cornerstone of the community. Gallery Director Jonathan Yukio Clark describes the exhibit as “a chance to revisit the countless memories that have happened here since the beginning, reminding us of the vitality the arts bring to all ages of the community.” Highlights include early architectural renderings, selections from the Center’s Permanent Collection, and a multimedia tribute to its rich history of visual and performing arts. The Visionaries Behind the Curtain Though MACC is now a Maui institution, its creation was far from guaranteed. One of the key visionaries was the late Pundy Yokouchi, whose dream of a dedicated arts center led to the formation of the Maui Community Arts & Cultural Center.
Memorabilia, posters, photos and more spanning 30 years are on view until June 13.
“We showcase the best of the world for Maui—and the best of Maui for the world.” — Art Vento, MACC President and CEO
Joyce Jeffers leads Young Artmakers at the MACC. The summer program for youth is now enrolling for July sessions. Visit mauiarts.org for details.
Yokouchi was instrumental in raising $32 million for its construction and served as its chairman until his passing. He envisioned the MACC as a world-class venue where Maui residents could experience the arts without traveling to Honolulu. His ability to unite people from diverse backgrounds was pivotal in bringing this vision to fruition. A dozen years of planning and fundraising culminated in the MACC’s grand opening in 1994. Art Vento, the MACC’s current President and CEO, played a pivotal role in its development. Originally brought on as project manager, Vento had experience overseeing performing arts centers across the mainland. “It was a massive vision,” he recalls. “Creating a multi-venue arts center in the middle of the Pacific came with enormous challenges—but also incredible potential.” Today, the MACC hosts up to 1,700 events annually across its diverse venues, including the 1,200-seat Castle Theater, the flexible 250-seat McCoy Studio Theater, the outdoor A&B Amphitheater, and the Schaefer International Gallery. “If it’s happening on Maui, it’s happening at the MACC” has never been more relevant, according to Vento.
Navigating a New World When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, MACC found innovative ways to continue serving the community. Vento and his team launched "Alive at the MACC", a series of livestreamed concerts designed to uplift viewers during a time of isolation. After restrictions eased a little, the MACC hosted socially distanced drive-in movies and concerts, transforming the amphitheater into a safe, joyful gathering space. Vento said that during COVID the MACC strived to support the community and employees at the MACC. “We knowingly depleted our reserves to support the community and staff,” says Vento. “It wasn’t business as usual—it was compassionate business.” As far as the gallery, Clark noted that community involvement has always been at the heart of the Schaefer Gallery’s success. Attendance at gallery exhibitions has slowly rebounded since the pandemic, though it remains lower than pre-COVID levels. Still, the spirit of innovation persists. Among the gallery’s most popular exhibitions was “Wes Bruce: Taken by Wonder” in 2013, an interactive installation built entirely from communitydonated materials. Another favorite is the Schaefer Portrait Challenge, a triennial juried show highlighting portraiture by artists from across the Hawaiian islands. Now in its Article Continues On Page 4. >
What's Inside:
Makawao Stampede Returns in July.............3 Conservatory Raises Funds for Park ...........5 Ride of Silence Honors Fallen Cyclists.........5 Events Calendar ..........................................8-9 Helpful Hints for Ocean Safety....................10 Maui Kitties Fly Off to Better Lives............11