St. Joseph Feast, celebrated by St. Joseph Church and School in Makawao, Maui, is tradition dating back to the 1800s. This year the up-country Maui parish will celebrate it from April 30 to May 2.

It will be a weekend featuring authentic local cuisine such as malassadas, Portuguese bean soup, barbeque teriyaki, pork adobo, hamburgers, shave ice, cotton candy, pizza, mocha freeze and other delicious food.

There will also be games, crafters, a country store, entertainment, a valuable goods auction, a livestock auction and much more and this free-admission event.

The St. Joseph Feast hours are April 30 from 6 to 11 p.m., May 1 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and May 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Besides being a fun parish activity, the feast weekend is also a major fundraiser to assist with the reconfiguring and expanding of St. Joseph School Early Learning Center.

In addition, it will support community programs such as feeding the homeless, distributing food boxes to those in need, and giving financial assistance to those in crisis.

It will also help fund a new multipurpose center to replace the dilapidated gym currently used for school and community functions.

As part of the feast, St. Joseph is hosting a script contest open to parishioners and parish school and religious education students. First place receives $100 in cash and $50 in script; second place, $75 in cash and $30 in script; and third place, $50 in cash and $20 in script.

The parish is also looking for donations for its live “valuable goods auction,” including gift certificates, hotel stays, golf rounds, roundtrip airfares, new appliances, and vehicles. All donations are tax deductible.

In addition, the parish is collecting at its cafeteria non-perishable food items that can be purchased at VIP Cash ‘n Carry or Costco. If you wish to make any food or valuable goods donations, buy script, or have questions, please call St. Joseph Feast co-chairperson Donna Pico at 808-572-7652.