Aloha Festivals
Did you think that was Aloha Tower? Fooled ya.
It's a replica on a floral parade float.
The annual festival
Star-Bulletin staff
begins tomorrow
The opening round of partying for the Aloha Festivals begins this weekend with ceremonies, street celebrations and the traditional parade.The event that started out as "Aloha Week" has grown to encompass months, so that the festival ends Nov. 5-7 with the World Invitational Hula Festival at Waikiki Shell (call 486-3185). This week's highlights:
Opening Ceremonies: 5:30 p.m. tomorrow, Iolani Palace. Features the Royal Hawaiian Band and Hula Halau O Kamuela, and a procession of the Royal Court from the palace to Bishop Square.
In addition, 350 visitors from Japan will participate in the parade, carrying the mikoshi (shrine) in celebration of life's blessings.
If you miss the parade, KGMB-TV will tape it for broadcast on Thanksgiving Day.
Admission is free; parking is $2. Entertainers include Clyde Sproat, Leabert Lindsey, Nani Lim Yap, Kamalamalama, Water Tavares and Akoni. Trail rides will be offered for a fee.
For information about Aloha Festivals, call 589-1771.
By Ken Ige, Star-Bulletin
Grant, left, and Brian Ito, with their inspiration, Poki.
Grant Ito always knew his brother Brian was an artist at heart, so he was mystified when Brian got his degree "in math or something." So, what is 'aloha,' anyway?
That was more Grant's thing; he was the one good with numbers. Wouldn't you know it, he became an accountant.
Then Brian saw the light in 1987 and asked his brother to join him in creating Poi Pounder Hawaii. His one-cel cartoons featured geckos and poi dogs -- inspired by the family dog Poki.
Grant found himself doing not only the accounting, but the marketing and sales -- and Poi Dog T-shirts started appearing on retail shelves.
Just last year the brothers were brainstorming on what to do next. Grant said, "We were reading the newspapers and we decided that what we thought people wanted was a little more aloha."
So "Aloha Is ..." was born. The series comprises cartoons of island life conveying messages of caring, tolerance, compassion. In short, aloha spirit.
Poi Pounder Hawaii has a 1999 calendar featuring Poi Dog, recipes from local chefs, and a few important dates blocked out, like April 15 -- not tax day but Father Damien DeVeuster Day.
The calendar is a fund-raiser for HUGS (Help, Understanding and Group Support), and $1 of each sale goes to the charity. Borders at Ward Centre will carry the calendars for $5.99 beginning tomorrow.
In recognition of Aloha Week, Poi Pounder and the Star-Bulletin have teamed up for "Aloha Is ..." -- the contest.
Tell us your idea of what "Aloha Is ..." One winning statement will be chosen by the Star-Bulletin staff, to be illustrated by Poi Pounder Hawaii, and the illustration will be given to the winner.
Complete the phrase "Aloha is ..." in 15 words or less. "Aloha is . . ."
Send your name and daytime phone with your entry by Sept. 18 to: "Aloha Is ...", Features Department, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802. Or e-mail: features@starbulletin.com. Or fax to 523-8509.
"Aloha Is ..." is a trademark of Poi Pounder Hawaii. Entrants agree to waive and release any claims for use of the entry. All entry ideas and concepts become the property of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Entries will not be returned and may be used by the newspaper in any use or form.
