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Mary Adamski

Hawaii’s Back yard

Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi



Aloha Festivals Big Isle
events last 5 weeks


The Big Island always celebrates Aloha Festivals in a big way. This year, more than 30 events are planned over five weeks, all made possible by the enthusiastic support of many of the island's businesses and 135-plus volunteers.

"Our volunteers are dedicated and committed individuals who love their communities, their cultural heritage and their island," says Gloriann Akau, manager of Aloha Festivals, Big Island. "Every year, we pull out all the stops because of the joy we receive from working together to perpetuate our local traditions and culture."

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COURTESY ALOHA FESTIVALS
Dancers add to the color and pageantry of Aloha Festivals celebrated on all islands.




The 2002 statewide Aloha Festivals theme, "Ka Uhane O Ka Loea: The Spirit of the Master," honors ancient and contemporary artists. Literature, music, carvings, feather work -- whatever the medium, it is the gifted touch of the loea, the master, that helps us appreciate the beauty of our world.

"Big Islanders have always made a notable contribution in this regard," says Akau. "Some of Hawaii's finest woodworkers live here. We also have skilled lei makers, painters, sculptors, quilters and weavers as neighbors. When you think about it, so much love, care and thought go into every one of their works of art. They really are vessels of aloha."

It is this warm, generous spirit that links the diverse facets of the Big Island's Aloha Festivals. Here's a wrap-up of the signature events:

>> "Kindy" Sproat Falsetto & Storytelling Contest. In leo kiekie, or falsetto, storytelling is just as important as the singing. "The storytelling provides a precious glimpse of the time, the event, the love or heartbreak that inspired the songwriter," says falsetto master Sproat, who has performed all over the country, including the Smithsonian Institution and Carnegie Hall. "These cherished stories will slip away if they are not kept alive and repeated often by singers."

The leo kiekie contest winner receives not only recognition, but a recording contract with Hula Records.

>> Ms. Aloha Nui Pageant. In old Hawaii, voluptuousness was a sign of beauty, wealth and status. This pageant spotlights women who are attractive in this traditional sense.

Contestants, all weighing more than 200 pounds, compete in four phases: "Casual Hawaiian Wear," "Formal Wear," "Talent" and "Public Speaking." This is a serious competition with serious prizes, including a koa calabash trophy, resort accommodations, dinners, shopping certificates and artwork.


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COURTESY ALOHA FESTIVALS
Chef Sam Choy samples the best of the Poke Festival that bears his name.


>> Kau HulaFest. Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, Ho'okena, Uluwehi Guerrero and Kekuhi Kanahele top an impressive lineup of talent that includes six hula halau, among them Halau Hula Lima Nani from Japan. The fest is hosted by He Kula Na Mea Hawaii, whose kumu hula, Pekelo Day, emphasizes it is not a competition; it's about sharing "na mea Hawaii," the things of Hawaii that we cherish.

One highlight of the weekend will be a procession by the Big Island's Aloha Festivals Royal Court and a formal presentation of ho'okupu (gifts) to them by the HulaFest participants.

>> Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel-Sam Choy Poke Festival. Amateur and professional chefs concoct every version of poke you can imagine. Categories include "Most Traditional Poke" (made only of ingredients available to the ancient Hawaiians), "Best Cooked Poke" and "Best Poke Using Macadamia Nuts, Tofu or Ogo (seaweed)." After the winners are announced, attendees may sample the entries, but they must be quick. The poke disappears fast!

This year's Poke Festival also features a shoot-out golf tournament benefiting Kawaihae Transitional Housing, which helps homeless families, and a concert starring 'Ale'a, Darlene Ahuna, Harold Kama Jr. and the Lim Family.

>> Waimea Paniolo Parade, Paniolo Lei Contest and Waimea Ho'olaule'a. Floats, equestrian units, marching bands, decorated vehicles from bicycles to antique cars -- the town of Waimea puts on a parade that's pure down-home fun! Just about everyone participates: church groups, Scout troops, clubs, sports teams, senior groups and hula halaus.

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COURTESY ALOHA FESTIVALS
Pa'u riders at the Aloha Festivals.




Following the parade, Cook's Discoveries displays entries in the Paniolo Hat Lei Contest, which honors the Hawaiian cowboy tradition of wearing lei-adorned hats. There are five categories: fresh and dried plant materials, feathers, seeds and shells, amusing/unusual finds or recycled opala (trash), and keiki entries. New this year is a People's Choice award.

Rounding out Waimea's festivities is a ho'olaule'a, a grand party featuring arts and crafts, entertainment and food. (Three thousand laulau are expected to sell like hot cakes.)

>> Queen Lili'uokalani Festival. This memorable birthday celebration for Hawaii's last queen starts with a music workshop led by island composers Kenneth Makuakane, Puakea Nogelmeier, Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett and Louis "Moon" Kauakahi.

The following day, Lili'uokalani Park will be abuzz with activities including demonstrations of feather lei and pahu (drum) making, pony rides for the kids, Hawaiian games, and performances by the Makaha Sons, Japanese taiko drummers, Japan halau and 500 kumu hula and haumana dancing "Liliu E" in unison.

"Aloha Festivals does more than entertain," asserts Akau. "It reminds us of everything that's special about Hawaii and how we should be living our lives throughout the year -- that is, with joy, thanksgiving and love. It reminds us that aloha is something that should be shared all the time. That popular saying is so true: 'The more aloha you give, the more you have.' "


A lot of aloha

Here are highlights from the Big Island's Aloha Festivals calendar. Call 808-885-3633 for more information and to obtain a complete schedule of events.

Today
>> 2 p.m.: "Kindy" Sproat Falsetto & Storytelling Contest in the Outrigger Waikoloa Beach Resort Alii Ballroom, Kohala.

Saturday
>> 7 p.m.: Ms. Aloha Nui Pageant in the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows Mauna Lani Ballroom, Kohala.

Saturday and Sept. 1
>> 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Kau HulaFest, Mark Twain Park, Waiohinu.

Sept. 13 to 15
>> Various times: Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel-Sam Choy Poke Festival, Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, Kohala.

Sept. 21
>> 10 a.m.: Paniolo Parade followed by a Paniolo hat contest (view entries at Cook's Discoveries from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and Waimea Ho'olaule'a (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Waimea

Sept. 29
>> 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Queen Liliuokalani Festival, Liliuokalani Park, Hilo






Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi is a Honolulu-based free-lance writer
and Society of American Travel Writers award winner.



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