2018 Festivals of Aloha Schedule of Events

September 5, 2018, 12:36 PM HST

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The Festivals of Aloha celebrates the Hawaiian culture in September and October at various sites throughout Maui County. Don’t miss the 17th Richard Hoʻopiʻi Falsetto Contest at the Ritz Carlton Kapalua on Sept. 8 and Aloha Friday with Uluwehi Guerrero and Hālau Kauluokalā at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center Sept. 21. On Lānaʻi, enjoy a courtesy Festivals of Aloha ferry Sept. 29; On Molokaʻi the yearly parade takes place on Oct. 6; and in Hāna a week of festivities runs from Oct. 6 to 13, 2018.

Composed by Devin Kamealoha Forrest, the 2018 theme is “E Ulu Mau I Ke Aloha ‘Āina” – Be ever inspired by the love of your land. Aloha ‘āina illustrates deep love of the land. Kaona (hidden/deeper meaning) alludes to much more than that. The theme issues a challenge to be a warrior with aloha.

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2018 Schedule of Events
*(For the latest information and schedule of events, go to festivalsofaloha.com).

Maui

Sept 7: 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 with Ei Nei and Keauhou

Sept 8: 17th Annual Richard Hoʻopiʻi Leo Kiʻekiʻe Falsetto Contest. Amateur contestants belt their most exquisite high-register voices at Ritz Carlton Kapalua 5:30 p.m. doors open, 6:30 p.m. contest starts.

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Sept 15 & 16: Lahaina Banyan Tree Hoʻolauleʻa – live entertainment, crafters artisans. Historic Banyan Tree Park in Lahaina, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sept 21: Aloha Friday at Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center with Hawaiian cultural practitioners sharing their art with music and hula, 6 to 8 p.m.

Lānaʻi

Sept. 29: Natalie Ai Kamauu, Nā Wai ‘Ehā, A Touch of Gold and lots of live entertainment, hula, cultural demonstrations, free keiki activities, crafters and artisans and ‘ono eats. Contests include: Hawaiian attire, lei and keiki art. Dole Park, Lānaʻi City, 2 to 8 p.m. The Expeditions Ferry will have a 9:15 p.m. return to Maui from Lānaʻi with the purchase of a $5 Festival Ribbon. Reserve by calling (808) 661-3756. More information: Nani noelaniw@gmail.com

Molokaʻi

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Oct 5: Investiture, 6 p.m. at Mitchell Pauole Center. This year’s Royal Court will receive their Royal symbols in a traditional ceremony, the Royal Court installation. The evening will also include Poke Contest and Ulu-Uala-Kalo Contest, showing off ‘ono dishes and special off-island entertainment. There will be food booths and non-food vendors. Come early, check out the booths, find your seating spot and enjoy the evening under the stars.

Oct 6: Parade, 9 a.m., Kaunakakai Town. One of a kind parade featuring pāʻū 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, local entertainer and special off-island entertainment. Hawaiian traditional and cultural displays feature hands-on practitioners. Find your seat in the shade, eat a plate lunch in your lap, relax, and enjoy the nahenahe entertainment.

Hāna

Oct 6: Parade and Hāna Celebration – To kick off the 2018 Festivals of Aloha festivities; Hāna’s Royal Court will open the parade, Grand Marshall, pāʻū riders, floral floats, vintage cars, custom motorcycles, marching band, the presentation of the coveted 2018 “Tiny Malaikini Public Service Award,” entertainment, Hawaiian crafts and many varieties of local dishes will be feature throughout the event. Hāna Ball Park – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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

Play Day – Hāna Bay – 12 to 3 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 7: Sports Night – Ball Park – 4 to 10 p.m., Tennis and Volleyball Tournaments. Food booth open to the public.

Oct 8: Lei & Floral Contest – Kahanu Gardens 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. To enter bring your fresh lei and floral arrangement from 10 to 11 a.m. Three categories include: Lei poʻo, Lei aʻi and floral arrangement. The exhibit will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a garden scavenger hunt and silent auction.

Sports Night – Final – Hāna Ball Park 4 to 10 p.m., Tennis and Volleyball Tournament Finals. Food booth open to the public.

Oct 9: Kupuna Luncheon – Travaasa Hāna – 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Call early for reservations and pricing. Call (808) 248-8211 extension: 3284.

Movie In The Park – Hāna Ballpark – Dusk to 10 p.m.

Oct 10: Hāna Arts’ Annual Talent Show – Hāna Ball Park – 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. This year the high school division winner will represent Hāna School at Brown Bags. Registration at 4:30 p.m. Fresh local food booths provided.

Oct 11: Hāna Dragons Football Home Game – Hāna Ball Park- 7 to 9 p.m. Come support and cheer on the Hāna Dragons. Food booths open to the public.

Oct 12: Kahanu Gardens ‘Ulu Cook-Off – Hāna Ballpark – 6 to 7 p.m. Ulu cooking competition with visiting professional chef demonstrating great ulu recipes. Food booth open to the public

Hawaiiana Night – Hāna Ballpark – 7 to 10 p.m. A special evening of Hawaiian culture, arts & crafts, holokū and malo contest, mele and hula.

Oct 13: Cross Country 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.

Festivals of Aloha Hō‘ike Night – Gates open at 5 p.m. Hāna Bay – 6 to 10 p.m. A special evening of local cuisine and entertainment

These events made possible through support of the County of Maui and Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. Official Festivals of Aloha, Maui Nui Style ribbons are $5 each. For information on purchasing a ribbon, call (808) 268-9285. Sales are cash-only and help fund Countywide events.