The 2000 Aloha Festivals will officially open on Friday, Oct. 13, with a celebration that will last from morning to night. For the first time in four years, Aloha Festivals will have a presence on the south shore with two
The 2000 Aloha Festivals will officially open on Friday, Oct. 13, with a
celebration that will last from morning to night.
For the first time in
four years, Aloha Festivals will have a presence on the south shore with two
major events that will kick off the two week cultural festival. Both the
Hawai’iana Festival and the Keoneloa Music Festival will take place at the
Hyatt Regency Kaua’i Resort and Spa.
“We are so excited to bring Aloha
Festivals to the Koloa district,” says Kaua’i Island Manager, Kehaulani Kekua,
who Is happy with the support that has been extended by the Hyatt.
“The
organizing of the opening events has truly been an employee-driven effort. They
are so enthused by the Hawaiian culture and it shows in their eagerness to got
Involved,” she adds.
The Hyatt was one of the first corporations on Kaua’i
this year to join Aloha Festivals as a Makana member. The neighboring Embassy
Vacation Resort at Po’ipu Point has also joined In the cooperative effort to
bring Aloha Festivals to the Kona district of Kaua’i.
Beginning at 9:30
a.m. tomorrow morning, the Aloali’i or Aloha Festivals Royal Court will begin
Its formal procession In the ahupua’a of Weliweli (where the Embassy Is
located) with traditional protocols and ceremonies. They will be met at the
border of the neighboring ahupua’a of Pa’a by a retinue of conch shell blowers,
chanters, spear beaters and other members of the Hyatt Resort staff who will
greet the Royal Court.
Traditional offerings of chants and gifts will be
presented and exchanged. The procession will continue through the resort
grounds, ending at the grand ballroom where a special blessing of all of the
festivals will be conducted by Kahu Richard Kamanu. Special messages of aloha
will be extended by Lurllne Kawainui, president of Aloha Festivals and Janet
Hyrne, executive director of Aloha Festivals.
The opening coincides with
the Hyatt’s Hawai’iana Festival —a seven-year tradition that features Hawaiian
music, arts and crafts, exhibits and demonstrations. Three contests centering
on Hawaiian music, lei, and the raw fish delicacy of poke, will add to the
day’s enjoyment.
In addition, a delicious Hawaiian lu’au luncheon buffet of
kalua pig, chicken long rice. squid lu’au, fresh fish, lomi salmon, poi and all
of the traditional trimmings of a local-style feast. The cost Is $15 for adults
or $8 for children. A $3 discount will be extended to event goers wearing an
Aloha Festivals ribbon.
Admission to the Hawai’iana Festival and the
featured cultural activities is free. The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2
p.m.
The opening festivities will continue in the evening beginning at 5:30
p.m. with a special appearance of the Royal Court who will portray the ali’i of
Hawai’i’s monarchy era. They will preside over the Keoneloa Music Festival in
the grand ballroom of the Hyatt from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mistress of ceremonies
for the concert will be Lady Ipo. She will be joined by Hawaiian music artists
from four of Hawai’i’s main islands.
The popular Hawai’i Island band,
Kahikina, features Kihei Nahale-a, Kala’iokono Ontai, Sean Naleimaile, and
from Kaua’i, Kainani Kahaunaele. Special guest joining Kahikina will be steel
guitarist, Eddie Punua – also from Kaua’i. The island of Maui will be
represented by Pueo Pata, overall winner of the Frank 8. Shaner Falsetto
Contest.
From the Island of 0’ahu comes Blaine Kamalani Kia, a talented
musician, songwriter and kumu hula of the Men of Kahulaiiwai and the Ladies of
Kawaikahelanimaile. Joining Kia will be the women of his Kaua’i-based halau who
will perform a special hula ‘auana rendition to the original composition, “He
Makana 0 No Lei Nani.” Kia specially composed the song to honor this year’s
Aloha Festivals President, Lurline Kawainui, who selected the theme.
Translated, it means, “A Gift of Beautiful Leis.” Mistress of Ceremonies for
the evening concert will be Lady Ipo.
A Hawaiian lu’au buffet and
concert package Is available for$30 for adults and $26 for children. A $2
discount will be made available to persons with an Aloha Festivals
ribbon.
Aloha Festivals Is Hawai’i’s oldest and largest cultural
celebration with more than 300 events that are staged on Kaua’i, 0’ahu, Maui,
Moloka’i, Lana’i and Hawai’i.
The public is invited to attend both day and
evening events. For tickets and further information concerning the opening
celebration of Aloha Festivals, call 821-2070 or the Hyatt Regency Kaua’i at
742-1234.
