PHOTOS: ‘Festivals of Aloha’ Kicks Off In Wailuku

By Madeline M. Ziecker

A hula dancer says it all - graceful arms open, sharing the aloha spirit. Photo by Lisa Villiarimo.

This month’s Wailuku First Friday on September 2nd was also the debut of Festivals of Aloha, an annual event which celebrates Hawaiian Heritage.

Musicians graced several stages in Wailuku Friday night for Festivals of Aloha including Gene Argel & ohana, Joe Katz on steel guitar, HiRiZ and Deja Vu. Makaha sons kicked off the event, performing Hawaiian music with a wahine dancing hula along side.

Mayor Arakawa with Mary and Robert (Sr.) Vickers, holding a proclamation that honors fallen serviceman Kraig Vickers. Photo by Lisa Villiarimo.

The events on Friday night were dedicated to the memory of Kraig Vickers, a recently fallen serviceman. Vickers’ parents, Robert Sr. and Mary were invited as special guests, where they met with Mayor Alan Arakawa.

At the event, Mayor Arakawa presented Vickers’ parents with his proclamation in dedication to Vickers, who will be annually honored and recognized by the County of Maui.

Festivals of Aloha has only just begun. There’s much more in store this month on Maui and on neighboring islands Moloka’i and Lana’i. For more information visit http://www.festivalsofaloha.com/ or see our Maui Now Event Calendar.

Photo by Lisa Villiarimo.	ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD Makaha Sons performing. Photo by Lisa Villiarimo.
Photo by Lisa Villiarimo.	Street packed in Wailuku for First Friday and Festivals of Aloha. Photo by Lisa Villiarimo.