Festivals of Aloha Announces Event Schedule

Festivals of Aloha 2015. Courtesy image.

By Maui Now Staff

The Festivals of Aloha continue through October 2105. Each ho‘olaule‘a will include crafters, food and mele.

On Saturday, Sept. 19, under the Historic Banyan Tree Park in Lahaina, the ho’olaule’a opens at 9 a.m. with live performances until sunset, including Kalani Souza, Kaniala Masoe and Ke Kani Malie, Hālau Hula Kealakahinano‘opuna, Falsetto legend Richard Ho‘opi‘i, the Lahaina-Honolua Seniors and Kulewa.

The Festivals of Aloha 2015 theme is “Ola ke kaiaulu I ke aloha o loko,” “The community thrives when there is aloha within.” The theme is depicted by the ‘opihi—one of Hawai‘i’s most prized ocean delicacies—which flourish in dangerous coastal conditions. Clustering together atop rocks, ‘opihi grow and strengthen under mighty surf.

The Festivals of Aloha ribbon. Image courtesy of Festivals of Aloha.

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

For more information, call Tina Thompson at (808) 268-9285

Maui Schedule

• Friday, Sept. 18
  Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center in Kahului • 7 to 9 p.m.

Keiki entertainment, Hawaiian cultural practitioners sharing their art with music and hula, Kalama School Ukulele Band under the direction of Benny Uyetake, Kaulike Pescaia & Hālau Kamaluokaleihulu under the direction of Kumu Hula Kahulu Maluo

• Saturday, Sept. 19
  Historic Banyan Tree Park in Lahaina, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  A ho‘olaule‘a day filled with live Hawaiian music, hula, crafters and artisans.

For more information, email Maui Manager Daryl Fujiwara.

Lāna‘i Schedule

Lāna‘i, “Hawai‘i’s most enticing isle,” invites the public to completely immerse themselves in everything cultural from ancient Polynesian crafts and demonstrations, to Hawaiian music and hula.

• Saturday, Sept. 19
  Dole Administration Building Lawn, Lāna‘i City, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  True Hawaiian Spirit Celebration Parade through town. Ho‘olaulea follows with 110 Years of Aloha, celebrating the County of Maui birthday; cultural demonstrations, artisans, ‘ono food.

More information, call Lāna‘i Managers Nani Watanabe at (808) 870-7546; Charity Texeira at (808) 563-0484 or send an email.

Moloka‘i Schedule

The Friendly Isle of Moloka‘i will get a chance to showcase its cultural roots during its 2015 Festivals of Aloha celebration,October 8-10.

• Thursday, Oct 8
  Kaunakakai Ball Park at 6:30 p.m.
  Investiture, Poke contest, Aloha Attire Contest: This year’s Royal Court will receive their Royal symbols in a traditional ceremony, the Royal Court installation. Local hula hālau will perform, Aloha Attire contest, Poke Contest, plus lots of food and games.

• Friday, Oct 9
  Kaunakakai Ball Park at 6:30 p.m.
  Youth Night: To honor the presence of Royal Kamali‘i Kane and Wahine, there will be an abundance of local entertainment, hula from our keiki. The nights starts off with Ulu-Uala-Kalo contest showing off their onolicious dishes, special entertainment from Moloka‘i youths with a Talent Competition.

• Saturday, Oct 10
  Kaunakakai Ball Park at 11 a.m.
  Parade; 9 a.m.: One-of-a-kind parade featuring pa’u riders on horseback, country-style floats with exotic flowers, Kaunakakai town. Ho‘olaule‘a, 11 a.m.: 110 Years of Aloha, celebrating the County of Maui birthday, Hawaiian artisans, game and food booths, local entertainers and hālau hula. Find your seat in the shade, eat a plate lunch in your lap, relax, and enjoy an awards ceremony announcing the Parade Float and Pā‘ū rider winners, live entertainment with off-island musical groups, games, arts and crafts, local food. Hawaiian traditional and cultural displays feature hands-on practitioners.

For more information, call Moloka‘i Manager Raquel Dudoit at (808) 553-3356.

Hāna Schedule

The 2015 Festivals of Aloha fittingly culminate with an action-packed agenda in heavenly Hāna, lots of hula and Hawaiian music, all happening at the one of the most authentic, unspoiled locations in the world.

• Oct. 3-10
  National Tropical Botanical Garden
  Kahanu Garden is offering free unguided tours to Festivals of Aloha 2015 ribbon holders on Oct. 3 and from Oct. 5 to 10. For more information, go online or call (808) 248-8912.For more information, call Hana Chairperson Bob Williams (808) 866-3275 or send an email; Treasurer Neil Hasegawa at (808) 264-3563 or via email.
• Saturday, Oct. 3 
  Hāna Ball Park; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  Hāna Parade and Ho‘olaule‘a, Grand Marshall, Häna Royal Court presentation, Ho‘olaule‘a to follow with makahiki games, food and craft booths. “Tiny Makaikini” public service award,
  Hāna’s Community Talent Show,
  Enjoy Hāna’s wealth of homegrown talent. Presented by Hāna Arts.
• Sunday, Oct. 4
  Hāna Bay, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  ‘Ohana Beach Day.  Keiki/Wahine shoreline fishing tournament 7 a.m. to noon. ‘Ohana Play Day games, noon.
• Monday, Oct. 5
  Hāna Ball Park, 4  to 10 p.m.
  Sports Night at the Park: Co-ed Volleyball, Tennis, doubles tournament.
• Wednesday, Oct. 7
  Hāna Ball Park, 5:30 to 10 p.m.
  Movie in the Park, Hāna Youth Center, ‘Ohana Makamae & Hale Hulu Mamo presents.
• Thursday, Oct. 8
  Travaasa Hāna (formerly known as Hotel Hāna Maui), 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  Cultural activities normally held exclusively for hotel guests will be open to everyone wearing a 2015 Festivals of Aloha ribbon. Contact hotel (248-8211) for more information, 10 a.m. to noon. Küpuna Luncheon: Hāna’s beloved kupuna are invited to Travassa Hāna’s Ka‘uiki Dining Room for a day of Hawaiian food and entertainment.
• Friday, Oct. 9
  Hāna Ball Park 5  to 9 p.m.
  Country Carnival Night: Purchase scrips to enjoy carnival games, bingo, pie, contests, team games, arts and crafts, Keiki Aloha Attire Contest, music and more. Sponsored by Alu Like Hāna.
• Saturday, Oct. 10
  Cross Country Golf, Holani Hale, Papa‘au‘hau, 8 to 10 a.m. 
  Tee Time Shot Gun start nine  holes, three clubs, and nine golf balls, shirt, shoes. 2015 Festivals of Aloha ribbon required. Awards to be presented at the Hō‘ike Night. Call Shawn Spillett at (808) 268-1081 or send an email.Hāna Ball Park, 6 to 10 p.m.
  Hō‘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 Garden’s ‘Ulu Cook-off and Lei & Floral Contest, Hāna Community Endowment Fund, food coordinators, food concessions available.