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Aloha Festivals
Keiki take part in Aloha Festivals' opening
ceremonies last year.

Downtown Ho‘olaule‘a
kicks off Aloha Fest

Friday lineup | Getting around

Aloha Festivals marks its 54th year with events on six islands over a two-month period.

Oahu's festivities begin this weekend with opening ceremonies, the annual Downtown Ho'olaule'a and a floral parade through Waikiki.

Tomorrow

The Royal Court will be introduced to preside over festivities that will include ho'okupu (gift) presentations, music by the Royal Hawaiian Band, and hula and chant performances. Festivities run from noon to 12:45 p.m. in front of 'Iolani Palace.

Music on seven stages will fill the streets during the Downtown Ho'olaule'a taking place 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Bishop Street from Beretania to Aloha Tower.

Scheduled to perform are Fiji, Amy Hanaiali'i, the Makaha Sons, Ho'onu'a, Kapena, Sean Na'auao, Frank DeLima, the Local Divas, Mana'o Company, the Krush, and more.

Lei and food will be available for purchase.

Merchants from Chinatown will also offer two stages and more than 50 food and craft booths along Hotel Street, from Nuuanu Avenue to Kekaulike Mall.

There will also be Xtreme Fun Inflatables at Aloha Tower to keep the kids entertained. Organizers advise against the use of strollers because of the size of the expected crowd.

Admission to the ho'olaule'a is free with the purchase of an Aloha Festivals Ribbon, which also allows free or reduced admission to other festival events.

Saturday

Put on your sunscreen and line up for the approximately four-hour 53rd annual Floral Parade that starts at 9 a.m. at the ewa end of Ala Moana Park.

Floats, marching units, hula halau will proceed on Ala Moana Boulevard to Kalakaua Avenue and ending at Kapahulu Avenue.

Special guests joining the parade this year include the Vancouver Police Pipe Band, a marching unit and dance troupe from Japan, California dancers performing Filipino folk works, and bands from Florida and Indiana.

Nine mounted pa'u units representing each of the eight major Hawaiian islands, plus Molokini atoll, will be led by a princess outfitted in the colors of the islands.

Presiding over the festivities will be grand marshal Aunty Dora Martinez, the last of the original lei vendors at Honolulu International Airport.

If you miss the parade, it will be broadcast on KGMB on Thanksgiving Day.

Sunday

Hale'iwa 'Ohana Day on the North Shore will feature entertainment, arts and crafts sales, food booths, lei makers and games for the keiki.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hale'iwa Beach Park. Na Leo will headline the event at 11 a.m. Another highlight: Ten traditional Hawaiian sailing canoes will race from Kaaawa, with the winner expected to arrive in Hale'iwa at approximately 2 p.m.

Admission is free with an Aloha Festivals ribbon.

Aloha Festival ribbons Aloha Festival ribbons offering free or reduced admission to events are $5, available at the event and at 7-Eleven, Safeway, Blockbuster and First Hawaiian Bank locations, plus the festival office on the second floor at Ward Warehouse, 1050 Ala Moana Boulevard, above Nohea Gallery.

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Aloha Friday lineup

Here is the schedule of performances for the Downtown Ho'olaule'a tomorrow:

Stage 1 -- Aloha Tower Marketplace

6:30 p.m. -- Soul Free
7:30 p.m. -- Koa'uka
8:30 p.m. -- B.E.T.
9 p.m. -- Baha Men

Stage 2 -- Dillingham Transportation Building, Bishop Street

6:30 p.m. -- Frank DeLima
7:30 p.m. -- The Krush
8:30 p.m. -- Maunaloa
9:10 p.m. -- The Local Divas

Stage 3 -- First Hawaiian Bank Tower

7 p.m. -- Ka Nalo
7:45 p.m. -- Mana'o Company
8:25 p.m. -- Ho'onu'a
9:15 p.m. -- Fiji

Stage 4 -- Financial Plaza, Bishop Street

7 p.m. -- 'Ale'a
7:45 p.m. -- Kapena
8:25 p.m. -- Sean Na'auao & the Poi Pounders
9:15 p.m. -- Ten Feet

Stage 5 -- Bishop Square

6 p.m. -- Olana A'i Hula Halau
6:30 p.m. -- Royal Court appearance
7:05 p.m. -- The Makaha Sons
8:05 p.m. -- Ka'au Crater Boys
9:05 p.m. -- Robi Kahakalau with Big Band

Stage 6 -- Executive Centre

6:30 p.m. -- 25th Infantry Division Light Tropic Lightning Band
7:45 p.m. -- Pacific Fleet Band-Tsunami
9 p.m. -- Air Force Band of the Pacific-Hana Hou

Stage 7 -- Verizon Hawaii Building

6:30 p.m. -- Ikaika Brown
7:10 p.m. -- Eric Gilliom & Friends
7:45 p.m. -- Amy Hanaiali'i
8:15 p.m. -- Island Style
8:30 p.m. -- Sly Dog

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Be a ho'olaule'a survivor

Listening to music is fun, but parking, traffic and crowds are a chore.

Here are some tips for dealing with the more painful aspects of going out to have a good time:

Parking

There will be plenty of lots open to the public, some as early as 4 p.m., and closing as late as 1 a.m. But be sure to check the lot you choose for exact times. You don't want your car held hostage in a locked garage overnight.

Fees also vary from $2 to $4; again check for special rates.

Garage access

Aloha Tower Marketplace lots at Irwin Park and Piers 5 and 6
AMPCO System lots at Davies Pacific Center, Ali'i Place, Marin Tower, Kukui Plaza, Harbor Court, Harbor Square and 1199 Bishop Street
APCOA lots at Executive Centre, King and Bethel and Bishop Square
Diamond Parking at Chinatown Cultural Plaza and Hale Pauahi
Pioneer Plaza, on Merchant Street
Amfac garage, 745 Fort St.
Pro Park lots at Marks Center, and Nuuanu and Beretania
Grosvenor Center, on Alakea Street.

Further information: 589-1771 or (800) 852-7690.

Getting around

Meadow Gold trolleys will transport people free between Bishop and Hotel streets. There will be two stops: at Nuuanu Avenue and Hotel Street, and in front of the First Hawaiian Bank on King Street.

Buses rerouted

Hotel Street will be closed at 5:30 p.m., with Ewa-bound buses diverted onto Beretania and Diamond head-bound buses running on King Street until midnight.

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calendars and events.