GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
During last night's Aloha Festivals opening ceremonies at Iolani Palace, the young ladies of Halau Ka Waikahe Lani Maile danced in tribute to this year's Aloha Week Royal Court, which included King John Kalei Laimana Jr., Queen Wanda Kehaulani Kamauoha, Prince Gerred Kawehikeaoainahau Wago and Princess Davida Ilimamaekealoha Kupau.
Ho‘olaule‘a sees
fewer visitorsThe low turnout is blamed
partly on the bus strike
Henry Josiah Jr. is a veteran crowd watcher.
Since 1959, he's been taking a lawn chair to the sidewalks of Bishop Street to watch attendees of the Aloha Festival's Downtown Ho'olaule'a pass by with all variety of food and souvenirs in hand.
This year, he was disappointed.
"It looks like it's shrinking," Josiah said about the hours-long celebration that last year attracted more than 100,000 people. "There used to be more than this."
Organizers say the city bus strike may be to blame.
Police officers agreed that there was a noticeable decrease in festival-goers from last year.
Aloha Festivals Executive Director Janet Hyrne said the strike may have prevented some residents and many Waikiki tourists from getting to the festival. Hyrne said she was unable to estimate the crowd, but she acknowledged that it seemed smaller than last year.
Ewa Beach bus rider Julius Harris said he wouldn't have been able to attend last night's event if his uncle hadn't given him a ride. He said there were a lot of people he knew who were unable to come because of the strike.
Even during the celebration's peak hours, lines were mostly short. Many people said parking was easy to find.
The low turnout comes as the festival is still recuperating from the financial loss it shouldered after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when it canceled all events for security reasons.
Even with yesterday's somewhat disappointing kick-off, the month-long Aloha Festival could mean a sizable financial boost to a state economy still ailing from the effects of flying fears, Hyrne said.
"I know that we do have a very positive economic impact on the state," she said. "We bring people to the state to enjoy a very unique aspect of Hawaii."
It is estimated that as many as 9,000 people plan trips to Hawaii around the festival.
Bill and Margaret Austin of Toronto flew in Thursday to attend 10 days of Aloha Festival events.
The couple said they first saw the festival's opening ceremonies at Iolani Palace seven years ago, during the celebration's 50th anniversary, and were so intrigued they wanted to come back.
"It's just unique," Margaret Austin said. "It's completely different."
Another 200 people who are expected to participate in today's floral parade from Ala Moana to Kapiolani parks or other festival events later this month are from outside the state.
Mika Goto Keale of Tokyo is one of the 22 Japanese hula dancers who will perform as part of the festival next week.
"It's been important that I, as a Japanese, am coming to share aloha with the people here," she said.
But most attendees are residents, Hyrne said.
Aloha festivities
Today
>> Floral Parade: Flower-covered floats, hula halau, marching bands and performers will travel in a two-hour procession, beginning at 9 a.m., from Ala Moana Park in Waikiki on Ala Moana Boulevard to Kalakaua Avenue.>> 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 flagpole near the main lobby.
>> Steel Guitar Festival: Steel guitar artists will perform nightly at 7:45 p.m. through Sept. 19 at House Without a Key in the Halekulani Hotel.
Tomorrow
>> Special ceremony will be held at 8:30 a.m. at Central Union Church, featuring an appearance by the Royal Court.
