Maui Festivals of Aloha Schedule of Events 2014

Festivals of Aloha, Maui. Photo Credit: ​Wayne Shinbara.

By Wendy Osher

Two months of special festivities celebrating the pageantry and culture of Hawaiʻi with parades, street parties, concerts and activities, comes to Maui in September and October.

The Festivals of Aloha, Maui Nui Style kicks off tonight with special performances at the Wailuku First Friday town party featuring Iwalani Hoʻomanawanui Apo and Nā Hōkū Hanohano Female Vocalist of the Year, Carmen Hulu Lindsey.

“The mission of the Festivals of Aloha is to honor Native Hawaiian culture and traditions from generation to generation, as well as share them with visitors and people from the community,” said event organizers in an announcement.

This year’s festival focuses on the theme Kū ke kāhili i ke alo o ke aloha, “The feathered standard stands among the beloved.”

Event organizers note that the ceremonial kahili, or feather standards were used in ancient Hawaiʻi as emblems of honor and spirituality to protect high-ranking individuals,

“Today, kahili not only hold a significant place in traditional regalia, they also reflect the deep aloha and respect the people had for their beloved royalty,” the announcement said.

A complete list of festival events on Maui, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi, and Hāna are listed below:

Festivals of Aloha, Maui. Photo Credit: ​Wayne Shinbara.

Maui 2014 Festival of Aloha events:

The Festivals of Aloha event kicks off on the Island of Maui with events running from Sept. 5 to Oct. 25.  Maui will once again host the Annual Richard Hoʻopiʻi Leo Kiʻekiʻe Falsetto competition, and celebrate with a variety of other events.

• Friday, Sept. 5: First Friday Festivals of Aloha Kickoff, Live music, sidewalk vendors on Market Street in Wailuku from 6 to 9 p.m. Free admission.
• Friday, Sept. 26: Aloha Friday in partnership with Pacific Media group, KPOA 93.5 FM, keiki entertainment, Hawaiian cultural practitioners sharing their art with music and hula at the Queen Kaʻahumanu Center in Kahului from 7 to 9 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 27: 13th Annual Richard Hoʻopiʻi Leo Kiʻekiʻe Falsetto competition showcasing Maui’s finest amateur male falsetto performers. Contestants will showcase their high-register voices, an art form dating back to a time when Hawaiian women were forbidden to sing publicly. There will be special surprise guests performing as well at the Andaz, Wailea.  Doors open for the event at 6 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 28:  Banyan Tree Hoʻolaulea in Lahaina, Maui.  The 2014 Falsetto winners will sing at the main stage, with crafters and all day entertainment. The event is free and open to the community at the Banyan Tree Park in Lahaina Town, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 25: “KPOA, Celebrating 30 Years of Hawaiian Music, Maui Style”.  Celebrating this island, Maui No Ka Oi and it’s host culture through mele, hula, ʻāina and aloha.  The event features performances by Maui artists, award winning hālau, hula champions, and space for non-profits to set up for fundraising opportunities at the Maui Nui Botanical Garden from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Admission is free.

Festivals of Aloha, Maui. Photo Credit: ​Wayne Shinbara.

Lānaʻi 2014 Festival of Aloha events:

The Island of Lānaʻi hosts free educational events and displays at the Four Seasons Hotel, celebrating the island’s multi-cultural heritage with dance, hands-on crafts, artisans, food and song. Also on tap for Lānaʻi is a  parade and Hoʻolauleʻa.

• Saturday, Sept. 20: Hawaiian Spirit Celebration and  Hoʻolauleʻa.  The event begins with a community parade through Lānaʻi town at 9 a.m., followed by a Ho’olaule’a Dole Park in Lānaʻi City.

Molokaʻi’s 2014 Festival of Aloha events:

Molokaʻi celebrates the Festival of Aloha over a three day period from October 9 to 11, 2014, with the crowing of the island’s Royal Court, a floral parade and pāʻū riders in Kauanakakai.

Festivals of Aloha, Maui. Photo Credit: ​Wayne Shinbara.

• Thursday, Oct. 9: Investiture, Poke Contest, Aloha Attire Contest. This year’s Royal Court will receive their royal symbols in a traditional ceremony. Local hula hālau will offer their dances as hoʻokupu.  There’s also an Aloha Attire contest and Poke competition.  Food and games will be set up at Kaunakakai Ball Park beginning at 6:30 p.m.
• Friday, Oct 10: Youth Night. The event honors the presence of the Royal Kamaliʻi Kāne and Kamaliʻi Wahine. Event festivities include local entertainment, keiki hula, an Ulu-Uala-Kalo contest, special entertainment from the youth of Molokaʻi, and a talent competition. There will also be a sign-in table for Molokaʻi Hoe Canoe Race participants at event. Kaunakakai Ball Park, 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct 11: Parade at 9 a.m. through Kaunakakai Town featuring colorful pāʻū riders on horseback and flower-decked floats; Bed Race at 10 a.m. (route to be announced); Hoʻolauleʻa at 11 a.m.: featuring hawaiian artisans, game and good booths, local entertainers and hula hālau. Those in attendance are invited to find a seat in the shade, eat a plate lunch, and enjoy entertainment and awards from the day’s festivities.  There will also be a sign-in table for the Molokaʻi Hoe Canoe Race. The event location is at the Kaunakakai Ball Park.

Festivals of Aloha, Maui. Photo Credit: ​Wayne Shinbara.

Hāna 2014 Festival of Aloha events

The Festivals of Aloha, Maui Nui Style event culminates with a full week of activities in the East Maui town of Hāna.

The festivities run from October 18 to 25, beginning with a parade through Hāna town, and culminating with a Hōʻike Night at the Hāna Ball Park under the stars.

• Saturday, Oct. 18:  Hāna Parade and Hoʻolauleʻa, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hāna Ball Park.  The event include a presentation of the Royal Court and Grand Marshall.  There will also be Hawaiian culture demonstrations, makahiki games, food, crafts, the presentation of the “Tiny Malaikini” public service award.
• Sunday, Oct. 19: ʻOhana Beach Day.  There will be Keiki and Wahine shoreline fishing tournaments from 7 a.m. to noon.  The event also features ʻOhana Play Day games at noon. The event runs from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hāna Bay.
• Monday, Oct. 20: Sports Night at the Park. This event features co-ed volleyball, tennis, and doubles tournament at Hāna Ball Park from 4 to 10 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 21: Keiki Aloha Attire contest from 5 to 8 p.m. at Helene Hall.
• Wednesday, Oct. 22: Movie in the Park presented byʻ Ohana Makamae & Hale Hulu Mamo at Hāna Ball Park from 5:30 to 10 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 23: Travaasa Hotel Hāna. Cultural activities normally held exclusively for hotel guests will be open to everyone wearing a 2014 Festivals of Aloha ribbon.  Activities include: ʻulu maika and niu bowling from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.  Contact the hotel at 248-8211 for more information.
• Thursday, Oct. 23: Kupuna Luncheon: Hāna’s kupuna are invited to Hāna Bay for a day of Hawaiian food, entertainment and games at Helene Hall, Hāna Bay from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 24: Hāna Talent Show.  The annual talent show, presented by Hāna Arts, features food booths and local art for auction, at the Hāna Ball Park from 6 to 10 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 25:  Cross Country Golf, Hōlani Hale, Papaʻauhau from 8 to 10 a.m.:  Featuring a shot gun start on eighteen holes. 2014 Festivals of Aloha ribbon required.  Awards to be presented at the Hōʻike Night.  Call Shawn Spillett at: 268-1081 or email [email protected];
• Saturday, Oct. 25: Ho’ike Night.  A special evening of Hawaiian entertainment, food, culture and Hawaiian music and hula; ‘Dean Estocado Memorial Poke contest; Hāna Herb Pohole Contest; Kahanu Gardens Ulu Cook-off; and Lei and Floral Contest. At the Hāna Ball Park from 6 to 10 p.m.
• October 18-25: National Tropical Botanical Garden Special.  For Festivals of Aloha ribbon holders, Kahanu Garden is offering a free unguided tour during the week from October 18 to 25, 2014.   A free guided tour will take place on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 10 a.m.  For more information, go to: www.ntbg.org or call (808) 248-8912

Ribbon Sales:

Official Festivals of Aloha, Maui Nui Style ribbons are $5 each and may provide discounted admission to many events.  Ribbon sales are cash only and help fund these countywide events.

Ribbon sale outlets include the following: Lānaʻi Heritage and Cultural Center, Native Intelligence in Wailuku, Lahaina Visitor Center, Friendly Market Center, Imamura Store, Molokaʻi Drug Store, Misaki’s, Rawlins Chevron, Hotel Molokaʻi, Molokaʻi Shores, Hasegawa General Store, Hāna Cultural Center, Travaasa Hāna Hotel, and the Hāna library.