Aloha Festivals enters its 70th year as a premier cultural celebration of Hawaiian music, dance, cuisine and art. “Hāli‘a” means cherished memory that suddenly floods mind and heart. So it was in 1946, when the Jaycees Oldtimers began “Aloha Week” to renew rich cultural traditions preserved for a century by Hawaiian musicians, kumu hula and old families.
“We’ve come a long way,” said Debbie Nakānelua-Richards, Aloha Festivals board of directors co-chair. “Hāli‘a Aloha is truly one year not to be missed.” The event is for everyone, keiki to kūpuna, and takes place at various O‘ahu locations from Sept. 3 to 24. All public events are free. Support for Aloha Festivals comes from the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, private and corporate sponsors, and sales of Aloha Festivals ribbons and merchandise at all events.
Royal Court Investiture & Opening Ceremony
Sept. 3, Saturday, 3:30 pm –5:30 pm
Royal Hawaiian Hotel & Royal Hawaiian Center, Royal Grove
Imua! The Aloha Festivals Royal Court will be introduced on the grounds of Helumoa, which was originally the home of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. At the ceremony, the king, queen, prince and princess take their place on the royal court. The ali‘i court members receive their royal cloaks, helmets, feather head lei and other symbols of their reign. Traditional hula and chants make this a special event in the heart of Waikīkī.
Pearlridge Keiki Ho‘olaule‘a
Sept. 10, Saturday, 10 am – 3 pm, Pearlridge Center
Pearlridge Center will celebrate Aloha Festivals with a full day of free activities, demonstrations, arts, crafts and stage performances.
64Th Annual Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a
Sept. 17, Saturday, 7 pm –10 pm, Kalākaua Avenue
The Annual Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a is Hawai‘i’s largest block party. Thousands of people will take to the streets along Kalākaua Avenue for food, fun and entertainment. There’ll be performances of various genres of Hawaiian music and hula hālau. Hawaiian crafts, flower lei and many varieties of island cuisine will be featured throughout the event.
70th ANNUAL FLORAL PARADE
Sept. 24, Saturday, 9 am – Noon
From Ala Moana Park through Kalākaua
Avenue to Kapiolani Park
Kalākaua Avenue comes alive with a colorful procession of female and male pa‘u horseback riders, and floats covered with Hawaiian flowers, Hawaiian music, hula hālau and local marching bands add to the fun.
Watch the parade live on www.Channel808.com and www.olelo.org
ALOHA FESTIVALS
808-923-2030 | Facebook.com/AlohaFestivals
Twitter: @AlohaFstvls | Instagram: @alohafestivals
www.alohafestivals.com
