2014 Festivals of Aloha Continues on Molokaʻi and Hāna

13th Richard Ho’opi’i Leo Ki’eki’e Falsetto Contest. Photo courtesy Daryl Fujiwara.

By Wendy Osher

The two-month Festivals of Aloha event continues with three days of activities on Molokaʻi starting today, Oct. 9, and continuing through Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014.

The celebration today includes the investiture of the island’s royal court with local hālau offering hula dances as hoʻokupu or offerings.

There will also be a poke contest, food an games, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Kaunakakai Ball Park.

Most Mau festivities took place in September and included the 13th Anniversary of the Richard Hoʻopiʻi Leo Kiʻe Kiʻe Falsetto contest and Banyan Tree Hoʻolaulea.

The festival returns to Maui with a week long celebration planned in the east Maui town of Hāna from October 18th to 25th, that will include a parade, talent show, sporting events, and hōʻike night.

The remaining Festival of Aloha events still on tap for this month include the following:

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

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.

• 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.

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

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.

• 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.

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.