Is Mahalo Dead the same as Grateful Mahalo?

Not at all, although we forgive you for the confusion. Think of them as not-so-distant cousins. Grateful Mahalo was a pandemic livestream event featuring Billy & The Kids - who are still very much a band, by the way. Mahalo Dead is neither a band nor an event. It’s a vibe. Oh, alright, it’s also an event. And maybe even a band. We don’t really know how to answer that.

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Who are the musicians?

Ummm… it’s Bill Kreutzmann from the Grateful Dead….and he’s bringing the following musicians along for this particular weekend — literally in no order, neither alphabetical, nor allegorical, and certainly not ranked in order of importance - we love them all, equally:

Adam MacDougall (Circles Around The Sun) 
Daniel Donato (Cosmic Country)
Reed Mathis (yes, we know - Billy & the Kids)
Jake Brownstein (Eggy) 
Jason Hann (String Cheese Incident)
And who knows…

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Where, when, why and how?

Let’s start with the first two - this November 22, 23 and 24. On the north shore of Kauai, Hawaii. At a little place — and we do mean little — called the Porter Pavilion. It’s allegedly smaller than Jon Bon Jovi’s living room, so don’t sleep on tickets. There are only 450 of them to begin with. 

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Are you going to do the popular bait and switch with ticket prices?

No - by special unspoken request of all Deadheads everywhere, there is one ticket price. They are not dynamic, so you will not be seeing these tickets go up in price. But there are only a limited amount of tickets available so that we could keep it comfortable for everyone inside the venue. Once it is sold out, it is sold out.

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There are 50 VIP packages available per night with perks and bragging rights. But all prices are set and they are as friendly as we could get them considering they don’t talk and don’t have any lawn gear we can borrow. After all, we are on a volcanic rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

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Is Sunday a matinee?

Glad you asked! Yes, doors open at 2pm on Sunday, music begins at 2:30pm with a strict 6pm curfew.

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And Friday, Saturday?

6:30pm showtime, with doors at 5:30. ​

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Aren’t you forgetting something?

Ah, yes.

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Where do I fly into?

That’s assuming a lot. But okay - Lihue is the nearest airport. Just type the airport code LIH and put your wingsuit on.

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Where should I stay?

Any place that will accept your type. Long hair, don’t care.  But the venue is on the north shore, so we recommend AirBNB’s (around Princeville, Hanalei, Kilauea, you get the point) as close to Anaina Hou Community Park as possible, without falling in. 

 

Other respectable places for refuge, room and board include: 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, the Westin Princeville (Bonvoy-ers rejoice!), Hanalei Bay Resort, and GOOGLE. 

 

Additional options include any number of resorts down in Kapaa or beyond, just bring a good soundtrack for the half hour car ride. Let me guess. Grateful Dead?

 

If you live on island, then we recommend staying in your own bed.

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What’s an even better lodging option?

We should have led with STAY WITH US! No, we mean it — we have lodging packages that include tickets to the shows for parties of 2 to 6 people AND preferential pricing on lodging for all three nights. Keep it simple: give us your money! (And we’ll save you some!)

 

The accommodations are at The Cliffs at Princeville, just about 10 minutes from the stage, assuming you don’t hit traffic lights and are going exactly four miles over the speed limit…(Disclaimer: Don’t speed!). 12 minutes otherwise. Do the math.

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What is included in the LODGING packages?

Suspiciously, not travel! It’s a lodging package, not a travel package. That means you’ll have to buy flights (see your earlier question about the airport) AND — this is very important — you are responsible for your own transportation. Now is when you should call your aunt’s friend who retired in Boogie Bay to see if you can borrow her pick-up. Since there’s no such thing as Boogie Bay, maybe try one of the many rental car agencies that have branches right next to the airport.

 

Keep in mind there are public busses but they have schedules that might not align with yours. Ride shares and taxis can be harder to find than pure El Salvadorian corn starch — they’re out there, but maybe too far out there…consider renting a car.

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I’m confused. Is the venue indoor or outdoor?

Sorry for the confusion - hope this helps: It is indoor. And outdoor. It’s indoor-outdoor. With VIP seating inside, dancing room inside and out, and a beautiful general admission lawn that you are free to frolic around on and let your freak flag fly. Just, like, not on a pole. We’ve all seen that dude.

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When do lots open?

The lot (singular) opens at 3:30pm local time (which is coo-coo o’clock loco time). And on Sunday they open at noon. Please note that drinking in the parking lot - or anywhere else that’s not designated - is such a no-no that you will be kicked out. Don’t do it. Please kokua.

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Can you repeat that?

Drinking in the parking lot - or anywhere else that’s not designated - is such a no-no that you will be kicked out. Don’t do it. Please kokua.

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Is this event kid friendly?

In so much as any Grateful Dead related event is these days. Accompanied children are allowed and adults are tolerated.

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Are there food and drink options inside the venue?

Well, since no outside food or drink is permitted, there better be! And there are! Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will be available to please both types of people. Additionally, the Porter Kitchen will be open with a full menu, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options. Please note: they will be sold out of spaghetti before doors open, so if that's your jam, load up at home and have the leftovers waiting (stored at a proper temperature, of course).

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Is there an ATM on site?

Good question! (No… well, yes! Not inside the venue itself but on site, by right the mini-golf course)

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Are there bathrooms inside?

Bad question! (Yes)

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Is there a bag policy?

They’re allowed as long as you allow them to be searched upon entry.

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Is there a water policy?

Our official stance is: Stay hydrated. We can help but we encourage you to bring your own empty, reusable, NON-GLASS containers for our filling stations. And if your cup is full, may it be again.

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Is it true that the venue also features a mini-golf course?

You weren’t going to fact check.

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How long will the shows be?

Yes.

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Is AI coming for us all?

Probably.

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Was this FAQ written by AI?

Probably not. 

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Signed, 

Hal 9000