Festivals of Aloha Maui: Highlights Include Kealiʻi Reichel in Hāna

The Festivals of Aloha, which celebrates the Hawaiian culture, gets underway this month and continues through October at various locations throughout Maui County.

Highlights include the 16th Richard Hoʻopiʻi Falsetto Contest at Maui’s Kāʻanapali Beach Hotel on Sept. 16

Highlights include the 16th Richard Hoʻopiʻi Falsetto Contest at Maui’s Kāʻanapali Beach Hotel on Sept. 16; Molokaʻi’s Poke and Ulu-Uala-Kalo Contest on Oct. 6; Kealiʻi Reichel and Hālau Keʻalaokamaile perform in Hāna on Oct. 14; and there will be a courtesy Festivals of Aloha ferry for those celebrating on Lānaʻi on Sept. 30, 2017.

The 2017 theme is “Aloha ka hoʻi a ka holokahiki” – Beloved is the seafarers return home, as the events join in the celebration of the return of Polynesian voyaging canoes, Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia back to Hawaiʻi after a three-year worldwide voyage.

“To honor our them, we dedicate our 2017 festivities to the crew and all of the wayfinders who continue to uphold traditions, promoting and celebrating our culture, fulfilling the vision of Festivals of Aloha and our people,” said coordinator Daryl Fujiwara. “Aloha Week was created to keep Hawaiian culture and traditions alive. On Maui, our celebration of aloha is called ‘Festivals of Aloha.’”

2017 Schedule of Events

Festivals of Aloha, Lahaina Banyan Tree 2015.

MAUI

Sept 1: Wailuku First Friday Festivals of Aloha Kickoff. Live entertainment featuring Hawaiian musicians, crafts, food booths. Market Street, Wailuku, 6 to 9 p.m. Maui Thing Stage – Natalie Ai Kamau‘u and Nā Wai ‘Ehā

Sept 16 & 17: Lahaina Banyan Tree Ho‘olaule‘a – live entertainment, crafters artisans, keiki activities and local eats. Historic Banyan Tree Park, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sept 16: 16th Richard Ho‘opi‘i Leo Ki‘eki‘e Falsetto Contest showcasing amateur male falsetto performers. Contestants belt their most exquisite high-register voices. Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel, Kanahele Room, 5:30 p.m. doors open, 6:30 p.m. contest starts.

Sept 22: Aloha Friday at Queen Ka‘ahumanu Shopping Center with Hawaiian cultural exhibits, music and hula, 6 to 8 p.m.

Festivals of Aloha, Lānaʻi.

LANA‘I

Sept. 30: Lāna‘i Ho‘olaule‘a – Raiatea Helm and lots of live entertainment, hula, cultural demonstrations, free keiki activities, crafters and artisans and ‘ono eats. Dole Administration Bldg., Lāna‘i City, 2 to 8 p.m.

Molokaʻi Festivals of Aloha parade.

MOLOKA‘I

Oct 6: Investiture, 6 p.m. at Mitchell Pauole Center. The Royal Court will receive their Royal symbols in a traditional ceremony. The evening will also include Poke Contest and Ulu-Uala-Kalo Contest, showing off their ‘ono dishes.

Oct 7: Parade, 9 a.m., Kaunakakai Town. One of a kind parade featuring pā‘ū riders on horseback, country-style floats with exotic flowers.

Ho‘olaule‘a, 11 a.m., Mitchell Pauole Center. Ho‘olaule‘a follows the Parade. Hawaiian artisans, game and food booths and local entertainment. Find your seat in the shade, eat a plate lunch in your lap, relax, and enjoy the nahenahe entertainment.

Festivals of Aloha, Hāna – Maui.

HĀNA

Oct 7: Hāna Ball Park – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Opening Parade with the Grand Marshall, Hāna Royal Court, Pā‘ū Riders, Floral Floats, Vintage Cars, Custom Motorcycles, Marching Band and much more. Ho‘olaule‘a to follow with presentation of the coveted 2017 “Tiny Malaikini Public Service Award,” Floral and Lei Contest, Makahiki Symposium, Aloha Keiki Wear, Silent Auction and Entertainment. ‘Ono Food Concessions and tempting Craft Booths open all day.

Special Evening Performance – Hāna Bay – 7 to 9 p.m. – The Legendary Queen Ka‘ahumanu of Hāna – A theater production by Hāna Arts.

Oct 8: Shore Line Fishing at Hāna Bay – 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Check In: 7 to 8 a.m., Starts: 7:30 a.m., Weigh In at noon.

‘Ohana Beach Day at Hāna Bay – 12 a.m. to 5 p.m. Play Day games (Keiki to Kupuna). Net Throwing, Water Balloon Toss, Hula Hoop Competition and more. Food booths open to the public.

Oct. 8: Sports Night at Hāna Ball Park – 4 to 10 p.m. Tennis & Volleyball Tournaments. Doubles Tennis – Coed Volleyball games. Food booth open to the public.

Spécial Encore Evening Performance – Hāna Bay – 7 to 9 p.m. The Legendary Queen Ka‘ahumanu of Hāna.

Oct. 9: Sports Night Ball Park – 4 to 10 p.m. Tennis & Volleyball Tournament Finals. Food booth open to the public.

Teen Night at Helene Hall, Hāna Bay – 7 to 10 p.m. Just for teens, with a DJ spinning hot music for dancing. Food available.

Oct. 10: Kūpuna Luncheon at Traavasa Hāna – 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Special Hawaiian Luncheon in Remembrance of Carol Kapu. Aloha Shirt and Mu‘umu‘u Contest. Call early for reservations and pricing. Call (808) 248-8211 extension: 3284.

Movie In The Park – Hāna Ballpark – Dusk to 10 p.m. Hosted by the Hāna Youth Center. Proceeds from Movie in the Park help fund Hāna Youth Center, Hale Hulu Mamo & ‘Ohana Makamae.

Oct. 11: Hāna Arts’ Talent Show at Hāna Bay – 5 to 9 p.m. Enjoy Hāna’s wealth of homegrown talent. A great fun and special evening under the Hāna moon with $1,000 in cash prizes and celebrity judges. Six categories: Keiki (5-9yrs), Middle (10-13yrs), High (14-18yrs), Hawaiian Arts, Adult Amateur, Adult Professional. Registration at 4:30 pm. Fresh local food booths provided.

Oct. 12: Kahanu Garden – Ulu cook off -Hāna Ballpark – 6 to 7 p.m. Ulu cooking competition with visiting professional chefs as judges. Demonstrations and great recipes.

Hawaiiana Night – Hāna Ballpark – 7 to 10 p.m. – A special evening of Hawaiian culture, with the presentation of the Royal Court, and performances by a hālau hula with dancers from keiki to kūpuna. Hosted by Nā Leo Kāko‘o (4 organization)

Oct. 13 – Country Night – Hāna Ball Park – 6 to 9 p.m., Kick up your heels and dance the night away. Dance contests, including cha-cha-cha, the twist, waltzing, jitterbug, fox-trot, limbo, skagging, electric slide and two-step. There will a Poke & Pohole Contests. For Poke entry: Call 269-9171 For Pohole entry: Call 248-7407

Oct. 14 – Pupule Pasture Golf – Holani Hale, Papa‘auhau – 1 to 4 p.m. – Bring three clubs and nine junk golf balls. Shoes and ribbon required. Five dollars to be eligible for pupule prizes. Sign up to start at 15 minute intervals. Awards to be presented at the “Taste of Hāna Lū‘au.”

Taste of Hāna Closing Lū‘au Hana Bay – 6 to 10 p.m. – A special evening of local food, Hawaiian culture and performances by: Local musicians and special performance by: Keali‘i Reichel with Hālau Ke‘alaokamaile. Food concession hosted by: Hāna’s finest local food establishments for a “Taste of Hāna”.

For the latest information and schedule of events, go to festivalsofaloha.com.

Official Festivals of Aloha, Maui Nui Style ribbons are $5 each and provide discounted admission to many events. For information on purchasing a ribbon, call (808) 268-9285.  Sales are cash-only and help fund Countywide events.

For overall event information, contact Maui County Coordinator, Daryl Fujiwara, [email protected].