The Aloha Festivals are an annual series of free cultural celebrations observed in the state of Hawaii in the United States based on the Makahiki, the beginning of the Native Hawaiian year marked by the sighting of the Pleiades (Makali'i). It is the only statewide cultural festival in the nation. Highlights include the presentation of the Royal Court, a ho'olaule'a in Waikiki, and the Floral Parade. Approximately 30,000 people volunteer to plan, organize, and provide labor for the Aloha Festivals each year. Their efforts entertain over 1,000,000 people from throughout the state and visitors from all over the world.

History

Establishment In the spirit of preserving the Hawaiian culture and heritage, the Aloha Festivals were established in 1946 as Aloha Week by former members of the local Junior Chamber of Commerce. The former manager of the festivals, Goriann Akau, has said, "In 1946, after the war, Hawaiians needed an identity. We were lost and needed to regroup. When we started to celebrate our culture, we began to feel proud. We have a wonderful culture that had been buried for a number of years. This brought it out again. Self-esteem is more important than making a lot of money."

Scaling down The festival was celebrated on six of Hawaii's islands, but in 2008 festival organizers decided to hold most events on Oahu due to a lack of funding. There was also the chance that the Floral Parade would be cancelled altogether, but it was saved by private donors and funds from the City and County of Honolulu.

No Aloha festival was held in 2020. That was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a year which had many disruptions. However it did resume in 2021.

Events

Presentation of the Royal Court The court is selected from a pool of applicants, all of whom must be of Hawaiian ancestry and of certain ages. The festival itself begins with the presentation of the royal court during the opening ceremony. The ceremony takes place at Helumoa, a section of Waikiki near the Royal Hawaiian Center.

Floral Parade The Floral Parade starts at the intersection of Ala Moana Boulevard and Kamakee st. and goes through Waikiki before finishing at Kapiolani Park. The parade features p'au riders, marching bands, hula halaus, and that year's Aloha Festival Royal Court.

Hoʻolauleʻa The Hoʻolauleʻa is a block party held in Waikiki. There is Hawaiian music, hula, and food. Attendance is typically in the thousands.

Themes Each year has a specific theme: 2025/2024: TBD 2023: Piliʻaina - kinship with the Land 2022: Aloha ʻAina - Love of the Land 2021: Ke Ala I ka ma mua ka wa Mahope: The road to the future leads through the past(Royal court investiture only, held virtually) 2020: Parade Cancelled due to 9/11/20 2019: Nā Mo'olelo ʻUkulele: 'Ukulele Stories. 2018: No Ke Kai Kakou E ("We are of the Sea") 2017: He Lei Aloha ke Keiki: Children are our Garland of Love 2016: Hāli‘a Aloha ("Treasured memories") 2015: Hula Aloha ("Beloved Feather Treasures") 2014: Maluhia Honua, World Peace with Aloha 2013: Moana Nui Akea - Celebrating Ocean Voyaging

2012: Hoʻonui ʻIke - to Increase Knowledge 2011: Mele Ailana - Celebrate Island Music 2010: ? (info needed for this years) 2009: Hula ("Let the Story Be Told")

2008: Hula ("The Art of Hawaiian Dance") 2007: Ke Kahua Lani o Hawaii 2006: Na Paniolo Nui o Hawaii - The Great Cowboys of Hawaii 2005: Nā Honu Hawaii ("The Spirit Within") 2004: No Nā Kamalii ("For the Children") 2003: E Mau Ana Ka Hula I Ke Kanaka ("Hula Lives Through Its People") 2002: Ka Uhane O Ka Loea ("The Spirit of the Masters") 2001: Hoohanohano I Nā Holokai ("Honor the Voyagers") 2000: He Makana O Nā Lei Nani ("A Gift of Beautiful Leis") 1999: Hui Pū I ka Hula ("Together in Song and Dance") 1998: Ola Ka Ōiwi ("The Natives Endure") 1997: 1996:

1995: Hoʻala Hou - To Reawaken 1994: Lokomaikai: Of gracious and beautiful spirit 1993: E Pilimain: Come together as One 1992: He ʻOhana Kakou - We are all Family 1991: E Pupukahi 1990: Na Kamalei 1989: Mai Kupuna Mai 1988: Pulama - We Cherish 1987: We are Enriched 1986: This Land of Aloha 1985: 1984: Kulia I ka Nuʻu: Strive to Reach the Summit 1983: He Makana Makamae ʻo Ke Aloha 1982: Hawaii - the Isles of Smiles 1981: Rainbows of Aloha 1954: Pule Hoʻohakahala

References

External links https://www.alohafestivals.com