From artwork to horticulture, livestock and happy babies, the heart and talent of the community were showcased at the 99th Maui County Fair.

Organizations, schools and community groups participated in the 2026 Maui County Fair Parade, which was presented by the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College and Maui Land and Pineapple Co. Mahalo to all of this year’s participants for bringing energy, creativity and community spirit to the Fair’s opening-day tradition.

“The ribbons and trophies awarded in these contests reflect Maui Nui’s unique blend of culture, creativity, hard work and community pride, from our keiki to our kūpuna,” Mayor Richard Bissen said. “With the close of the 99th Maui County Fair, we extend a heartfelt mahalo to Fair Director Daryl Fujiwara and his team, all the fair committee members, participants, judges, volunteers and sponsors for their time, talent and aloha that made this local tradition possible again.”

The Maui County Fair drew tens of thousands of fairgoers to the War Memorial Stadium Complex in Wailuku over four days Oct.1-4.

This year’s fair featured a diverse lineup of competitions including the popular Baby of the Year, Orchid Show, Livestock and Poultry, Student Art, Fiber Arts, Esports, Student Media and Student Horticulture.

On the fairgrounds main entertainment stage, the Baby of the Year contest, formerly known as the Healthy Baby Contest, was hosted by Kala‘i Asuela, manager of family support services at Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaiʻi. Infants and toddlers up to 36 months were eligible to enter.

The winners were:

• First Place: Lilinoe DeCoite, parents Ka‘aina DeCoite and Leila DeCoite
• Second Place: Kāwaoko'olaniki'ikalo Palakiko, parents Keoni and Hi‘ialo Palakiko

Third Place: Penina Pūlama Mata‘afa, parents Saumalu Mataʻafa and Marissa Petsas

See attached PDF for contest results for other fair contests, or view online on the Maui County Fair website, at https://themauifair.com.

The Maui County Fair brings residents and visitors together for four days of food, entertainment, culture and family fun. Mayor Richard Bissen spearheaded the fair’s return after a six-year hiatus, and earlier this year proposed—and the Maui County Council approved—a $1.5 million General Fund appropriation to support this year’s fair through nonprofit Festivals of Aloha.

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