Motorists in and around Lahaina today should be aware of road closures as well as slower traffic in the area because of the organized Halloween events scheduled from this afternoon continuing into the evening.
Police will be closing Front Street from Baker to Prison streets at 3:30 p.m. today. Front Street will reopen around 11 p.m.
Maui County and the LahainaTown Action Committee are co-hosting the events at the following locations:
Campbell Park
* Noon to 10 p.m., official "Halloween in Lahaina" T-shirts on sale.
* 3 p.m., food, keiki activities, face painting and photo opportunities.
* 6 to 8 p.m., live music featuring Whiskey Pimps.
Banyan Tree Park
* 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., music by DJ Ron from 007 Productions.
* 7 to 9 p.m., costume contest (6 to 8:45 p.m., with registration at a Pioneer Inn retail store on Hotel Street).
* 9:30 p.m., costume contest winners announced.
The 34th annual Keiki Costume Parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. and proceed down Front Street. It is sponsored by Soroptimists of West Maui, Rotary Club of Lahaina and the Lahaina Sunrise Rotary.
Because of the road closure, parking will not be allowed in the following areas between 3:30 p.m. today through 2 a.m. Thursday:
* Front Street, from Prison to Baker streets.
* Dickenson Street, from Front Street to the Baldwin House parking lot.
* Lahainaluna Road, from Front to Wainee streets.
* Papalaua Street, from Front Street to the entrance of Lahaina Center.
Violators will be cited and towed at their own expense, police said.
The LahainaTown Action Committee said the parking lot on Luakini Street will be accessible via Dickenson Street.
Police said the drinking of alcoholic beverages will not be tolerated in public areas. The use of plastic cups, water bottles or any other drinking container to conceal liquor consumption is prohibited.
Police added that the following is not allowed:
* Open lewdness.
* Toy replicas of guns, knives, swords or other types of weapons as parts of costumes will be inspected by police, and if it is real or used in a dangerous manner, it will be confiscated and charges may be initiated.
* Those that throw eggs, stink bombs or firecrackers will be prosecuted.
* Costumes that pose a hazard to public safety because of size or construction will be evaluated and may be banned.
* Dogs will not be allowed in the area with the exception of registered service animals.
* Stationary performances within the event area will not be allowed. (No stopping to play music or put on a skit.)
Although special Halloween bus tickets from Central and South Maui to Lahaina are no longer available, the Maui Bus will run as scheduled, although transportation officials said some stops may be modified because of the road closures.
For information on the Maui Bus regular routes, see www.mauicounty.gov/index.aspx?NID=605.
There may be some express bus return tickets (from Lahaina) available at Campbell Park today or by calling the LahainaTown Action Committee Visitor Center at 667-9193.
Tickets for these express shuttles cannot be purchased at bus pick-up points.
For more information, call the visitor center or see visitlahaina.com.
