HONOLULU -- For nearly 60 years, Hawaii has celebrated its culture and heritage, with more than 300 events on six islands within a two-month period of time. People come to the Hawaiian Islands from all over the world to attend the many events that take place during these Aloha Festivals.
Every year the Aloha Festivals chooses a theme for its celebrations. This year’s theme is “Na Honu Hawaii — The Spirit Within,” which celebrates the long relationship Hawaiians have had with the sea turtle. These tranquil animals have symbolized peace, longevity, and the spirit within which Hawaiians and have always thought to represent love, hope and humility to the whole world.
The festivals’ royal court, consisting of a king, queen, prince and princess, is chosen every year by the members of the Aloha Festivals board. The members of the court are selected from among applicants who are of Hawaiian descent. Kings and queens must be ages 30 and older while the prince and princess must be between the ages of 16 and 20. The chosen prince and princess are awarded a $1,000 scholarship.
Once known as Aloha Week, the festivities began in 1946 when the Hawaii Jaycees created a public celebration that paid tribute to Hawaii’s music, dance and history to help preserve Hawaii’s unique traditions. This celebration became a tradition in itself. Aloha Week grew into the celebrations of today, and in 1991 the name was changed to Aloha Festivals.
During the Aloha Festivals, each island hosts events that are unique to that island. The Ms. Aloha Nui contest, which is a beauty contest for women who weigh 200 pounds or more, is held on the Island of Hawaii. On Maui, people gather under the largest banyan tree in Hawaii to have the Lahaina Banyan Tree Hoolaulea.
The opening ceremonies here on Oahu were initiated at Iolani Palace in Honolulu, Sept. 8. At 5:30 p.m., the royal court gathered on the steps of the palace and began singing traditional chants and dancing the hula while parading to Bishop Street. This procession served as the opening of Oahu’s Aloha Festivals.
On Friday, Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki was closed to traffic and entertainers and venders hosted the annual Waikiki Hoolaulea. This event is known as the biggest block party on Oahu. People come from all over Oahu to enjoy food, live entertainment, dancing and shopping.
“We come here every year to sell our leis and other gifts,” said Naomi Braine, a Waimanalo, Hawaii native. “We’ve been coming here for three generations now. My grandmother started the tradition of coming to the Aloha Festival, and we kept coming after that to continue the Aloha Spirit.”
Live entertainment at this year’s Aloha Festivals included local bands, hula dancers, and the Navy Pacific Fleet Band, who played a wide variety of music that included jazz and swing.
“The Aloha Festivals are a culture thing that happens every year to help bring the community together,” said Kanoe Takitani-Smith, a volunteer and Aloha Festivals ribbon seller. “It’s a great idea to bring the community together to keep the Aloha Spirit alive.”