The Aloha Festivals and the grand finale, the Floral Parade

Hawaiian Airlines,
Governor's Award

Partners in Development, President's Award

Lucky we live Hawai'i. Not only are we blessed with the wonderful climate all year round and the beautiful beaches and mountains. We have a very special culture that is quite unique and cannot be copied by any other people or place. One of the ways that we celebrate our Hawaiian culture and cosmopolitan heritage is through the Aloha Festivals. We are excited to have the Aloha Festivals this month. It is an annual celebration that began more than 60 years ago. The Aloha Festivals is Hawai'i’s premier cultural showcase, a celebration of Hawai'i’s music, dance and history intended to preserve the unique island traditions. Festivities stretch throughout the months of August and September and on each island.

Let the Parade Begin!

The Royal Court

Aloha Festivals is a non-profit organization and is presented by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. It is funded through the donations of corporate and individual sponsors and the sale of Aloha Festivals ribbons and merchandise. The Honolulu Festival Foundation is a sponsor. Thousands of Hawai'i’s people volunteer each year so that about a million of us can enjoy the events. Some of the highlights include the Aloha Festivals Royal Court Investiture, the Opening Ceremony, the Waikiki Ho'olaule'a and the Floral Parade. The Royal Court Investiture and Opening Ceremony introduce the Royal Court that will reign over the Aloha Festivals. The Waikiki Ho'olaule'a is a block party along Kalakaua Avenue with entertainment, food and lei vendors and hula crafters. And then there is the Floral Parade that starts at Ala Moana Park and goes all the way to Kapi'olani Park via Kalakaua Avenue. The floats are decorated with beautiful Hawaiian flowers. There are colorful equestrian processions representing the islands of Hawai'i. Marching bands excite the crowds. Hula and Hawai'i’s music is showcased.

Hawaii Academy of
Recording Artists

Kumu Hula Aiu

This year’s theme is perfect. It is “HULA-Let the Story be Told.” This excerpt is taken directly from the Aloha Festivals website. It beautifully explains the theme and what it truly means:

HULA - “Let the Story be Told”

“Aloha Festivals announces its 63rd year theme, HULA – Let the Story be Told. For nearly two thousand years an oral education has been handed down from generation to generation. Woven into innumerable lines of chant was and is the history of the Hawaiian people. Through extremely practiced oratorical and memorization skills, legends, genealogies, epic battles, love stories and more have survived the passages of time.

Ka leo ola o ke aloha – The story lives through love.
– Kumu Hula Kaha'i Topolinski

Love for one another, love for our history and love for our culture fuels the desire of the Hawaiian psyche to perpetuate and protect all that is sacred. Everything exists in the word, the chant, the song, the mind and yet a physical representation makes the intangible tangible.

Hula is the expression, the visual of the chant and the story. One can tell a story without hula, but the hula cannot be presented without the song, its foundation. However, dance breathes life and beauty into an already well-maintained narrative. Join us as we share with you the essence of Hawai'i through the hula – let the story be told.”

I guess this is what we call a chicken skin moment. Hope you enjoy the festivities, if not this year, next year. E malama pono.

Here are some other highlights of the Aloha Festivals Floral Parade that was held on Saturday, September 26, 2009.

The Pa'u Riders