Hana pa‘u riders Ku‘uipo Kaiwi and Joseph Piimauna make their way through the colorful annual parade in East Maui. -- Photo courtesy Festivals of Aloha
Like benevolent trade winds on a typical island day, the Festivals of Aloha will continue to breeze through Maui Nui with Hawaiian culture, food, music, parades and activities at fun community events on Maui, Lanai and Molokai.
This year’s festivities started on Sept. 7 at the Wailuku First Friday party, then moved to the The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua for a falsetto contest, followed by events at the world-famous Banyan Tree in Lahaina and even more Hawaiian pomp and pageantry Friday at the Queen Ka’ahumanu Center in Kahului.
Yet Festivals of Aloha is just starting to pick up steam. On Saturday, it will ferry over to the island of Lanai.
“Enjoy an evening on Lanai and return on the Expeditions with a complimentary ferry,” says Festivals of Aloha Director Daryl Fujiwara. “Just purchase a $5 ribbon at Bailey House or Native Intelligence in Wailuku and enjoy a free return ride at 9:15 p.m.”
The annual Lanai festivities will kick up its heels from 2 to 8 p.m. at iconic Dole Park in cool Lanai City.
Lanai emcee Makana Tabura -- Photo courtesy Festivals of Aloha
This year, the entertainers will be Natalie Ai Kamauu, Na Wai ‘Eha, A Touch of Gold and more to be announced along with hula dancers, cultural demonstrations, free keiki activities, crafters and artisans and ono eats. Emcee will be “Lanai boy” Makana Tabura.
“My vision is to turn Festivals of Aloha on Lanai into the center of Hana Noeau, or things that Hawaiians make,” says Fujiwara. “Go there and collect all of your lauhala, feathers and shells. Get your laau lapaau, or Hawaiian herbal medicine, say, like mamaki tea. I want it to be an economic engine for Lanai.”
Contests on Hawaiian attire, lei and keiki art will attract competition. And Hawaiian crafts may be watched and learned.
“Wear your best aloha shirt or muumuu, string a lei and enter to win,” says Fujiwara. “We’ll also offer the Lauhala Workshop at 11:30 a.m. in Dole Park with kumu ulana (weaver) Lorna Pacheco of Oahu. Please RSVP by emailing sfdhawaii@gmail.com.
Since Dole Park, where all of the activities take place, is located about 20 minutes away from Manele Harbor and the ferry, those who wish to attend will need ground transportation. Rabaca’s shuttle service of Lanai is offering a $20 roundtrip event rate. For reservations, call (808) 559-0230.
Natalie Ai Kamauu will perform Saturday. -- Photo courtesy Festivals of Aloha
“Why go to a museum or an exhibit when you can go to the island of Lanai and get the true Hawaiian cultural experience?” says Fujiwara. “As for the food, well, I tried to make it just Hawaiian fare, but the people of Lanai would have none of it. All I can say is, you just gotta go to Dole Park and try it all. It’s everybody’s food. So go there and be hungry. There will be laulau plates, fried ice cream and so many foods from the island. This year, there will even be a parade around Dole Park.”
Lanai FOA coordinator is Nani Watanabe. A Lanai native, she now resides in Kahului and works for Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. as the Maui Independent Living Center program agent.
The Festivals of Aloha island hops over to Molokai for fun-filled days and nights Oct. 5 and 6 in Kaunakakai town.
“Molokai is such as strong staple,” Fujiwara explains. “Each and every year, they plan their event to a ‘T.’ The whole town is invested in making it the best ever.”
Photo ops will be abundant at the Investiture of the Royal Court. It’s a traditional Hawaiian ceremony at 6 p.m. Oct. 5 at Mitchell Pauole Center. The evening will also ramp up with the Poke Contest and the Ulu-Uala-Kalo Contest, the latter showcasing the prized “canoe plants” of Hawaii that arrived with ancient Polynesians aboard sailing vessels.
The Kaunakakai parade and hoolaulea will feature vibrant Hawaiian floats Oct. 6. -- Photo courtesy Festivals of Aloha
Ulu is breadfruit, uala is sweet potato and kalo is taro. The public may enter dishes made out of all three of these canoe plants, and samples will be given away after judging.
“The public enters their own dishes and as long as it tastes wonderful, it will be good,” says Rachel Dudoit, the Molokai Festivals of Aloha coordinator and the kumu for Moana’s Hula Halau that will perform at the Investiture on the Friendly Isle.
“The Molokai musical lineup for Oct. 5 will kick off with Keaka at 5:45 p.m., followed by headliner Kainani Kahaunaele at 8 p.m. and Sly Dog at 9 p.m.,” says Fujiwara.
“There will be food booths and non-food vendors. Come early, check out the booths, find seating and enjoy the evening under the stars,” he adds.
Starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct 6, a one-of-a-kind parade will enchant spectators as it cruises through Kaunakakai. Watch pa’u riders on horseback, country-style floats with exotic flowers and community members marching.
Molokai headliner Kainani Kahaunaele will perform Oct. 5. -- Photo courtesy Festivals of Aloha
Following the parade at 11 a.m. will be the Ho’olaule’a at the Mitchell Pauole Center. Hawaiian artisans, game and food booths, local entertainers and special musical guests will perform.
They include Ekolu at 11 a.m., Johnny Suite at noon and Mana’o Company from 1 to 2 p.m.
“Enjoy Hawaiian traditional and cultural displays featuring hands-on practitioners,” says Dudoit.
“Find your seat in the shade, eat a plate lunch in your lap, relax, and enjoy the nahenahe, or gentle, entertainment.”
All the way across the rough Pailolo Channel in remote East Maui, the Festivals of Aloha will light up Hana town from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 6 with an opening parade by a grand marshall, the Hana Royal Court, pa’u riders, floral floats, vintage cars, custom motorcycles, a marching band and much more.
A keiki enters last year’s art contest on Lanai. -- Photo courtesy Festivals of Aloha
The Hana celebration will once again present the coveted “Tiny Malaikini Public Service Award” to a worthy person, and there will be non-stop live entertainment, Hawaiian crafts and many types of foods — all at Hana Ball Park.
“Hana has events every day through Oct. 13, sometimes two a day,” says Fujiwara. “You can only get away with having Festivals of Aloha in these small towns like Hana in the Neighbor Islands — as it keeps its charm.”
The theme and how it all started is interesting.
“The Aloha Festivals started in the 1960s on Oahu by my great-grandmother,” Fujiwara. says. “It was a reemergence of Hawaiian culture after people had been prohibited from speaking the language and practicing the traditions.
“It’s my family’s tradition to put on these big events,” adds Fujiwara, who is of Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Irish and Scottish descent.
“My great-grandmother, who helped to start Aloha Festivals, gave the job to her daughter and my grandmother, Edwina Smythe, who started it here. She gave it to Crystal Smythe, her daughter and my aunt, and she then handed this event to me.”
And his events are culturally expressive and fun, too.
Hana will also make a splash with the Shore Line Fishing Contest at Hana Bay from 7 a.m. to noon Oct. 7, followed by Play Day at Hana Bay at noon with net throwing, water balloon toss, hula hoop contest and food booths. Then head to Sports Night at Hana Ball Park with tennis and volleyball and food booths open to the public with ono grinds.
“Every night in Hana is very well attended,” says Leinaala Estrella new Hana coordinator, whose day job is at Alu Like, a nonprofit with a mission to help Native Hawaiians reach their potential.
“It’s a tradition in Hana that has been going on for years. It’s a great time for visitors. They have a great time when they come and meet the local people.”
The Kupuna Luncheon for seniors will be held Oct. 9 at the Travaasa Hana hotel. For reservations and cost, call 248-8211., ext. 3284.
On Oct. 10, the Hana Arts annual Talent Show will take over Hana Ball Park from 5 to 9 p.m. with home-grown talent to the nines. Of course, food will be plentiful.
“It’s great fun and a special evening under the Hana moon with $1,000 in cash prizes and celebrity judges,” Fujiwara says. “It’s beautiful to see all the kids come together to show their talent. And it serves as a preliminary to the Brown Bags to Stardom competition that is held statewide.”
On Oct 11, Hana Dragons will host its football home game from 7 to 9 p.m. in Hana Ball Park.
On Oct. 12, Kahanu Garden will feature the Ulu Cook Off at Hana Ball Park with pro chefs as judges, food demos and yummy samples. Again, food booths will be open to the public. It’s also Hawaiiana Night from 7 to 10 p.m. with arts, crafts, Holoku and Malo Fashion Contests along with “mele,” or song, and hula.
Golfers will want to get in on the Cross Country Golf at Holani Hale from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 13.
“Bring three clubs and nine junk golf balls,” Fujiwara says. “Shoes and ribbon required. It costs $5 to be eligible for pupule (crazy) prizes. Sign up for start times that will be at 15 minute intervals.”
Hana’s grand finale will be Oct. 13 as Festivals of Aloha Ho’ike Night and there is a $10 presale cost.
“The gates open at 5 p.m. at Hana Bay and the event runs from 6 to 10 p.m.,” Estrella says. “It’s a special evening of local cuisine and the live music of Na Wai Eha, Loeka and Longakit featuring Damon Williams and Keaiwa.”
For more information, call Estrella 281-7882 or email hanafestivalsofaloha@gmail.com.
“That week in Hana is when the Department of Education has its fall intersession and kids are off school,” Fujiwara says. “So it’s a school break. Bring your family and get your Waianapanapa cabin, camp out or shack up at your aunty’s house and check out all of these events.”
Festivals of Aloha is made possible through support of the County of Maui and Hawaii Tourism Authority.
For overall event info, you may email Fujiwara at sfdhawaii@gmail.com.
* Carla Tracy can be reached at carlatracy@mauinews.com.
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Maui Nui events at a glance:
• Where: The fest continues with the next event Saturday on Lanai; Molokai follows with two days of pageantry, food, music and culture Oct. 5 and 6; Hana jumps Oct. 6 through 13.
• How much: Most events are free and open to the public. You may support Festivals of Aloha by purchasing a $5 ribbon, and proceeds help fund future Maui County cultural events.
• For ribbons and more details:Call 268-9285; visit www.festivalsofaloha.com or stop by the Bailey House Museum or Native Intelligence in Wailuku.
Colorful pa‘u riders and their mounts dressed in Hawaiian lei trot through Hana Town for the annual parade held each year. -- Photo courtesy Festivals of Aloha
Members of the Hana Royal Court solemnly march through Hana Ball Park as part of the Festivals of Aloha that run Oct. 6 to 13 in East Maui. -- Photo courtesy Festivals of Aloha
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