[ WEEKEND ]
ALOHA FESTIVALS
The Aloha Festivals opening ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m. today. Performers will grace four stages at tonight's Downtown Ho'olaule'a.
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Aloha Festivals
TimeHula Lives Through Its People" is the theme for this year's Aloha Festivals, and Mapuana Schneider's original watercolor "Hula 'Auana" graces the festival's 2003 commemorative ribbon, utilizing shapes and colors that reflect the movement and flow of hula.
Ribbon-wearers receive discounts at local restaurants and retailers, including discounts on Hawaiian jewelry, restaurant admission and restaurant items.
The ribbons are available for $5 at Bank of Hawaii branches; 7-Eleven, Hilo Hattie and Safeway stores; and Aloha Airlines ticket offices. Ribbon sales help fund the statewide festival and provide discount admission to some events.
Aloha Festivals T-shirts, caps and other merchandise can also be purchased at the Aloha Festivals office at Ward Warehouse, above Nohea Gallery. The office is open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. Visit www. alohafestivals. com or call 589-1771 for more information.
Oahu's Aloha Festivals officially opens at 5:30 p.m. today with a regal procession from 'Iolani Palace to Bishop Street, where there'll be a street party going on.
The fun continues Saturday with the colorful floral parade from Ala Moana Park to Waikiki.
The annual celebration began in 1946 as Aloha Week, a celebration of music, dance and history, intended to preserve Hawaii's cultural traditions. The 57-year-old festival is the only statewide celebration in the United States and hosts pageantry, parades, street parties, concerts and family activities.
The festival has expanded over the years to encompass events on six islands spanning a two-month period.
Events are scheduled to run two weeks. Here are the Oahu highlights. Events are free except where noted:
ALOHA FESTIVALS
Dancers perform before the Royal Court during opening ceremonies at 'Iolani Palace.
Friday
>> Opening ceremony: Traditional chant and hula will kick off the six-week annual celebration at 5:30 p.m., with the Oahu Royal Court making its appearance on the steps of 'Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on United States, then leading a procession to Bishop Street at Tamarind Park for the Downtown Ho'olaule'a.>> Downtown Ho'olaule'a: Music, dancers and contemporary Hawaiian entertainers will fill Bishop Street, from Beretania to Nimitz Highway, and at Aloha Tower Marketplace for this annual street party that begins at 6:30 p.m. Bishop Street will be closed to accommodate the pau hana celebration. (See accompanying calendar for the entertainment lineup.)
>> "The Arts of Hawaii and its People": This special art exhibition features the arts of Hawaii from before contact with the West through contemporary times, plus the temporary exhibition Brett Weston in Hawaii. Continues through 21 during museum hours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. For more information, call 532-8700. Regular admission is $7 general; $4 for 62 and older, students 13 and older, and military; and free for members and keiki 12 and under. Discount with Aloha Festivals ribbon.
>> Ala Moana Center celebration: Strolling musicians, lei-making demonstrations and entertainment at Centerstage will greet shoppers during the day, continuing through Sunday. For details, call 955-9517.
>> Hilton royal welcome and ho'olaule'a: There will be Hawaiian arts and crafts, and entertainment from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Then, from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. the hotel will host a King's Jubilee, a tribute to King David Kalakaua, with a king's procession, flag ceremony, precision rifle drill and musical revue, followed by a fireworks show. Repeats Sept. 19. For more information, call 949-4321, Ext. 77881.
>> "Ka Holo He'e Nalu" (Wave Riders) surf exhibit: Second annual exhibition will offer guests a glimpse into the history of the Hawaiian sport of surfing through a variety of displays, photographs, surfing memorabilia and vintage Hawaiian surfboards. Continues at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach, 2169 Kalia Road, through Oct. 31. For more information, call 923-3111.
ALOHA FESTIVALS
The Royal Court, from left, are Prince Gerred Wago, King John Kalei Laimana Jr., Queen Wanda Kehaulani Kamouha and Princess Davida Kupau.
Saturday
>> Floral parade: Flower-covered floats, pa'u riders, hula halau, marching bands, performers and dignitaries will travel in a colorful two-hour procession, beginning at 9 a.m., from Ala Moana Park to Kapiolani Park in Waikiki, on Ala Moana Boulevard, then Kalakaua Avenue.Hikawa Kiyoshi, the No. 1 enka/pop singer in Japan, is this year's guest of honor. He will perform at various areas along the route, and will be joined by hula halau from Japan.
At parade's end, there will be entertainment at the Kapiolani Park Bandstand from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
>> Hilton's Village Guards Flag Ceremony: Dressed in replicas of uniforms worn by Royal Palace Guards during the monarchy period, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Guards conduct precision drills at 5:15 p.m. at the flag pole near the main lobby. Repeats Sept. 20. For more information, call 949-4321, Ext. 77881.
>> Steel Guitar Festival: Enjoy the sounds of old Hawaii provided by a Hawaiian trio complemented by a gracious hula dancer. Renowned steel guitar artists 7:45 p.m. nightly through Sept. 19 at House Without A Key, Halekulani Hotel. For more information, call 923-2311.
Sunday
>> Aloha Festivals Sunday Services: Special ceremony will be held at 8:30 a.m. at Central Union Church, featuring an appearance by the Royal Court.
ALOHA FESTIVALS
Floats, entertainers and dignitaries will wind their way from Ala Moana to Kapiolani Park during the Aloha Festival parade tomorrow.
Monday
>> Celebration of hula: Enjoy hula halau performances at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. nightly through Sept. 21. (No show Sept. 19.)>> "Arts with Aloha": About 18 of Honolulu's major performing and visual arts organizations will preview their 2003-04 seasons at Restaurant Row, with free activities and entertainment from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. daily through Sept. 19, plus 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. There will also be prizes of concert and theater tickets.
Among the free entertainment expected at noon are:
>> Monday: Kalae Loa kicks off the week with Hawaiian contemporary music.
>> Tuesday: Performance of excerpts from Diamond Head Theatre's production of "Ragtime." The evening lineup will be the Diamond Head Theatre Shooting Stars, dancers from Ballet Hawaii, and Shari Lynn, star of the Army Community Theatre's production of "Gypsy."
>> Wednesday: The Honolulu Brass from Chamber Music Hawaii perform.
>> Thursday: Presentation of "Ola No Moolelo," dramatic storytelling from the Bishop Museum.
>> Friday: Pua Melia Trio perform, from the Hawaii Theatre.
For more information, call 532-8713 or Restaurant Row at 532-4750.
September 19
>> Royal arrival on the beach: Royal court members will make their way to Waikiki Beach on a canoe. The sound of conch shells announces the arrival followed by a program of hula, chant and offerings at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel Ocean Lawn, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.>> Waikiki Ho'olaule'a: Party-goers will take to the streets of Waikiki to wrap up Aloha Festivals with a block party including dancing, entertainment, ethnic foods for purchase and Hawaiian arts and crafts. Several entertainment stages will showcase a variety of hula and music performances, and there will be booths for the purchase of flower, shell and feather lei, 7 to 10:30 p.m. on Kalakaua Avenue, from Lewers Street to Kapahulu Avenue.
September 20
>> Waialua Taro Festival: Visit Oahu's famous North Shore to celebrate the revival of taro farming. Enjoy opening ceremonies with local halau hula, all-day entertainment, ethnic food, craft booths, laulau and taro recipes, art displays, educational booths and "Grown and Made in Waialua" products on display and for sale. Wear your Aloha Festivals ribbon to receive discounts at select booths. The site is next to the Waialua Community Association at 66-434 Kamehameha Highway in Haleiwa, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 638-7229.>> Radisson Waikiki Prince Kuhio Hotel Celebration: Enjoy a day of activities in celebration of Aloha Festivals, including a special appearance by the Aloha Festivals Royal Court at 10 a.m. Call 922-0811 for more information.
>> Lovely Hula Hands: See Napunaheleonapua and Halau Hula 'O Namakakualii perform, then browse through a farmer's market with fresh fruit, vegetables and cut flowers, lei- and haku-making demonstrations, lei sales, and made in Hawaii crafts, at Hawaii Kai Towne Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information call 396-0766.
>> A Celebration of Hula: Windward Mall hosts this showcase featuring Na Hoku Hanohano entertainers, artisans, crafts, food, giveaways, and an appearance by the Aloha Festivals Royal Court, from 1 to 7 p.m. For more information, call 235-1143.
>> "200 Years of Hawaii -- The Hawaiian Monarchy Collection": A fashion journey featuring gowns, holoku and heirloom jewelry of Hawaii's ali'i, beginning with Queen Ka'ahumanu through Queen Lili'uokani's reign. Includes a hula performance, an appearance by the King's Guard and a heartfelt performance of "Ku'u Pua 'O Paoakalani, The Queen's Song." From 2 to 3 p.m. at Kahala Mall Center Court. For more information, call 732-7736 Ext. 11.
>> "Ku Ha'ahe (To Cherish With Pride)": The Outrigger Reef on the Beach's 2nd annual luau will take place 5 to 8 p.m. on the hotel's pool deck, 2169 Kalia Road. Produced and written by Kumu Blaine Kia, the evening's performance will showcase the art of hula from its ancient beginnings (kahiko) through the modern style of dancing ('auana). Oli (chanting), mele (the poetry and composition of song), ka wa kahiko (the customs and protocols of story telling) and kumu loea (the mastering of Hawaiian skills and crafts) also will be part of the show's theme. The cost for the dinner, show and one cocktail is $60 for adults and $30 (including one non-alcoholic drink) for children 3 to 12. For reservations, call 924-6069.
ALOHA FESTIVALS
Japanese pop star Hikawa Kiyoshi will be one of the special guests performing in the Aloha Festivals parade.
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Tonight’s Downtown Ho‘olaule‘a
entertainment scheduleHere is the entertainment lineup for tonight's Aloha Festivals Downtown Ho'olaule'a:
Dillingham Transportation Building
Sponsored by Aloha Festivals and KGMZ 107.9 Oldies
>> 6:30 to 7:10 p.m.: Navy Pacific Fleet Navy Band
>> 7:20 to 8 p.m.: Air Force Band of the Pacific Hana Hou
>> 8:10 to 8:50 p.m.: Army Tropic Lightning Rock Band
>> 9 to 9:50 p.m.: Marine Forces Pacific Show Band
Davies Pacific Center
Sponsored by KLHT Radio
>> 6:30 to 6:35 p.m.: Opening/welcome
>> 6:35 to 7:05 p.m.: TBA
>> 7:10 to 7:20 p.m.: Generation Saved Drama
>> 7:25 to 8 p.m.: Paka Smith
>> 8:05 to 8:15 p.m.: Calvary Chapel of Honolulu Hula Team
>> 8:20 to 8:55 p.m.: Devotion
>> 9 to 9:15 p.m.: Generation Saved Drama Team
>> 9:20 to 9:55 p.m.: Seven Simple Pieces
Financial Plaza of the Pacific
Sponsored by Bank of Hawaii and American Express, and KCCN FM100
>> 4:15 to 6 p.m.: Pre-event festivities
>> 6:15 to 7 p.m.: Keahiwai
>> 7:15 to 7:45 p.m.: TNG
>> 8 to 8:30 p.m.: "Island Idols" contestants
>> 8:45 to 9:10 p.m.: Ho'onu'a
>> 9:20 to 9:55 p.m.: Sean Na'auao
Bishop Square
Sponsored by the Mayor's Office of Culture and Arts and Krater 96.3
>> 6 to 6:20 p.m.: The Ladies of Halau Ka Waikahe Lani Malie and the Men of Kahulaliwai, Kumu Hula Blaine Kia.
>> 6:20 to 6:30 p.m.: Royal Court appearance
>> 6:30 to 6:50 p.m.: Kumu Hula Blaine Kia Hula Halau continues
>> 7 to 7:50 p.m.: Bruce Shimabukuro and Friends
>> 8 to 8:50 p.m.: 'Ale'a
>> 9 to 10 p.m.: Kapena
Click for online
calendars and events.
