Festival highlights include:

Homecoming

The festival is an opportunity for retirees to return to MPC and reminisce about the good ol' days. Retirees are welcome to participate in talk story sessions and receive special homecoming treats from MPC.

There will be a "memory lane" exhibit, designed in a series of cannery room, to honor the company's history and unique pineapple heritage. Take a walk through the past by visiting the festival's extensive photo exhibit with plantation life memorabilia dating back to the early 20th century. MPC has preserved items of historical value, such as original photos taken during the plantation and cannery days and artifacts from the camps and cannery, for future generations and festival guests to enjoy.

Free Cannery and Pineapple Field Tours (two locations)

Experience one last chance to tour the only pineapple cannery left in the United States, which officially closed for business on June 30, 2007. The closure marks the end of a 100-year old era, as MPC turns its focus from canned fruit to fresh fruit production. Tours are self-guided and are available during the festival between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Also, guests can experience a free guided tour of working pineapple plantations, from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at Hali'imaile in Central Maui or Honolua in West Maui. It is a great opportunity to learn about Hawaii's rich plantation history, planting, cultivating and harvesting pineapple. A hands-on experience, guests will get to taste freshly cut, mouth-watering slices of pineapple, specially picked from the field during the tour – and everyone can take a fresh pineapple home as a souvenir. Shuttle transportation is provided. Space is limited; call Maui Gold Pineapple Tours at 808-665-5491, to make a reservation.

Safeway Maui Gold® Pineapple Cook-Off

Cheer on local finalists as they enter their dishes in the Safeway Maui Gold Pineapple Cook-off, which starts at 10:30 a.m. Safeway and MPC will award winners with $500 for first place, $250 for second place and $100 for third place in each of the following categories:

Pupu or Main Dish Professional*

Pupu or Main Dish Amateur

Dessert Professional*

Dessert Amateur

* A professional is someone who has been compensated for cooking in a restaurant or food service establishment within the last 12 months.

Entries will be judged by flavor, presentation, creativity and use of Maui Gold pineapple. Judges for this year's cook-off are Carla Tracy, Dining Editor of the Maui News; Pamela Young, Anchor for KITV4 News; Ryan Luckey, Executive Chef of Pineapple Grill at Kapalua and Gerry Watts, Vice President and General Manager, MPC.

Every contestant who enters the cook-off is an automatic winner as entrants will receive a Safeway gift card and free Maui Gold pineapple just for participating.

Entertainment for Everyone

Listen to the soothing island rhythms of Robi Kahakalau and Sean Na'auao from their new album, "S&R" and Kaukahi, Na Hoku Hanohano Group of the Year award-winners. In addition to ongoing live music, the festival features a pineapple fun zone for keiki that includes face painting, temporary tattoos and a pineapple toss. Kids can make their own laminated I.D. card and have their picture taken with the company's pineapple mascot. There will also be a coloring contest with prizes and complimentary pineapple cotton candy for keiki.

All About Pineapple

The Maui Pineapple Festival honors plantation and cannery workers and will feature the extra-sweet Maui Gold pineapple grown and harvested only by MPC. Community nonprofit organizations will be selling local food favorites that all have a hint of pineapple. Highlights include:

Maui Taiko – teriyaki plate lunch with pineapple spear $4.

Makawao Kendo Club – shave ice with pineapple, strawberry, blue vanilla and banana flavors $2.

Kahului Alii Spirit PeeWee Cheerleaders – Roselani's Pauwela Sunrise ice cream 2.

Maui Economic Opportunity Youth Service –Hawaiian imu plate featuring laulau, kalua turkey or kalua pork with rice and pineapple coleslaw $6.

Hawaiian Board Riders, Youth Organization –turkey plate with pineapple mochi and pineapple gelato.

Kiffman Maui Elite Taekwondo –pineapple ice candy and pineapple bread.

There will also be complimentary Maui Gold pineapple sampling stations featuring fresh pineapple juice, fruit chunks with toppings and a chocolate fountain for dipping pineapple.

Attendees will have an opportunity to purchase Maui Gold pineapples at the festival's Farmers Market boasting fresh, local produce from Maui growers and Kapalua Farms. There will also be a "Made In Maui" tent selling local products and crafts, as well as a Maui Land & Pineapple Company Plantation Store featuring logo merchandise from Kapalua Resort, MPC and limited edition festival t-shirts.

All proceeds generated from the Maui Pineapple Festival & Homecoming will benefit Hale Mahaolu, Maui Community College's Maui Culinary Academy and other community nonprofit organizations. Maui Pineapple Company is a subsidiary of Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Inc.

About Maui Land & Pineapple Company