Maui police, however, said Halloween will draw crowds to Lahaina, whether or not there are controls or coordination by the LahainaTown Action Committee — potentially creating more serious problems.

But after more than five hours of discussion, the commission deferred action on a request to allow the annual event in the Lahaina Historic District.

The commissioners charged with maintaining the cultural integrity while encouraging the diversity of events held in the district were unable to reach any consensus about the event that even organizers admit does not have anything to do with Hawaiian culture.

"We're worried about cultural things," said commission Chairman Sam Kalalau III. "I feel that I want to deny it, but I need to be fair and weigh out the pros and cons."

The annual event held on Halloween night has drawn an estimated 30,000 people to Lahaina town for a one-night festival that has a four-block stretch of Front Street packed.

Not officially coordinated until 1990, Halloween revelers in costume had been gathering in the historic town, resulting in unruly crowds spilling out of restaurants and bars into the streets, causing traffic jams and safety hazards.

The LahainaTown Action Committee, set up to support business activities in the historic town, worked with the Maui Police Department to attempt to manage the event, setting up a costume contest, entertainment and other controlled activities that include closing off the four-block section of Front Street.

The result is that Halloween in Lahaina has some structure with support for organizations and vendors to have food booths and other programs as part of the street festival.

"It lends a community aspect, and that creates a tradition," said LahainaTown President Jerry Kunitomo. "It's a very, very positive environment."

Although the committee works with the Rotary Club of Lahaina and the Lahaina Soroptomists Foundation to put on a Keiki Costume Parade to kick off the event as a family affair, critics focused on the late-night festivities that they charge encourage lewd behavior, excessive drinking and drug use.

"Unfortunately, the event's success has become its demise," said Richard McCarty, a Napili resident who testified at the meeting. "None of you would want to be accountable for an event that is inappropriate."

With 20,000 to 30,000 people packing Front Street every year, both commissioners and Lahaina residents raised concerns about public safety and hazards for West Maui drivers.

"We cry about the road conditions, and then we turn around and create a monster in Lahaina," said Lahaina resident Charles Makekau.

According to Theo Morrison, former LahainaTown executive director and longtime event organizer, Halloween revelers will go to Front Street whether or not the cultural commission gives its approval. Morrison said that a structure for the activities with an organized program may be the best way to create a safe environment.

"We did not invent Halloween in Lahaina. It was there, and it was a mess," she said. "We've really helped to manage that event."

Lahaina police officer Lawrence Kauha'aha'a, speaking on behalf of the Maui Police Department, said that even if the LahainaTown Action Committee does not coordinate an event, there will be people seeking to celebrate Halloween in Lahaina.

That will mean police will close Front Street to vehicles and additional police presence would be required as a safety measure.

The Maui Police Department plans to send 80 additional officers to manage the crowds for Halloween this year, an extra precaution that Kauha'aha'a said will be necessary with or without LAC planning.

"We would have to deal with it anyway," said Kauha'aha'a, who is the visitor policing officer.

Vendors testifying at the hearing reminded commissioners of the event's economic benefits. Visitors that attend the festivities often book hotel rooms months in advance, giving hotels and local businesses in the area a much needed boost.

"It's a great business night," said Kanoa Hough, manager at Moose McGillycuddy's. "This is one of the biggest nights for everyone."

The Halloween in Lahaina event was brought before the CRC last year due to complaints from residents, but was not heard because it came too close to the event date.

Because the activities occur within the Lahaina Historic Districts, which stretches from Shaw Street to Papalaua Street, the commission has authority to deny the event within the designated historic area. The Lahaina Historic Districts were created under laws modeled on programs that provide for preservation of historic areas such as Williamsburg, Va., and New Orleans.

The last time the county commission assessed the Halloween event was in 1996, when the LAC was given approval to continue to coordinate the event.

"There's more history behind this than just asking to approve or deny," said Commissioner Ke'eamoku Kapu. "As cultural commissioners, we've been turning our heads and giving it a rubber stamp. I'm not turning my head anymore."

Controversy erupted in 2004 when the LAC ran an advertising campaign that some in the community found culturally offensive. At Thursday's hearing, the LAC apologized for printing a logo that featured a headless horseman character holding a pineapple as its head, and said that measures were taken to ensure that such an incident would not happen again.

Commissioners made a number of motions to both deny and approve the activity, but there was no majority of five votes for a decision. The commission deferred action to its next meeting, scheduled for Aug. 2, advising the LahainaTown Action Committee to meet with community organizations, residents and the county to come to some kind of compromise regarding the cultural concerns.

"This commission should not be making decisions for the community," Kalalau said. "The community should be making decisions for the community."

Halloween in Lahaina opponents said that they look forward to meeting with the LahainaTown group to discuss a possible solution.

"It's a big issue for a lot of people, and everybody in the community needs to have their input," said Uilani Kapu, the wife of Commissioner Kapu, who testified on behalf of Hui O Wa'akaula.

On Friday, Mayor Charmaine Tavares said that she would like to see changes made to the "out-of-control" event.

"It is time for the parade to be toned down," Tavares said. "I just hope something can be worked out."