The 66th Annual Aloha Festivals has announced its theme and schedule for 2012. The theme for this year’s Oahu celebration is “Ho‘onui ‘Ike,” meaning “to increase knowledge, enrich,” whether through formal education, one-on-one mentoring, personal quests or other means. The theme will also honor Ke Ali‘i Bernice Pauahi Bishop, great-granddaughter of King Kamehameha I, who helps promote education, productivity and pride in cultural heritage.
All events are free and open to the public.
Thursday, September 6
Aloha Festivals 2012 Royal Court Investiture, 3:00 p.m., Hilton Hawaiian Village: The Ali‘i (king, queen, prince and princess) take their place in the royal court. Court members will receive the royal cloak, helmet, head feather lei and other symbols of their reign. Traditional chant and hula kāhiko will highlight the event.
Aloha Festivals Opening Ceremony, 5:00 p.m., Royal Hawaiian Center, Royal Grove: Traditional chant and hula mark the official beginning of the Aloha Festivals events. The Aloha Festivals Royal Court will be introduced on the grounds of Royal Hawaiian Center’s Royal Grove.
Saturday, September 8
Annual Keiki Ho‘olaule‘a, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Pearlridge Center Uptown & Downtown (co-related event): Pearlridge will celebrate Aloha Festivals with a variety of activities, demonstrations and continuous stage performances by participating keiki musical groups and hula hālau. The 2012 Aloha Festivals Royal Court will make a special appearance. For more information, visit www.pearlridgeonline.com.
Saturday, September 15
60th Annual Aloha Festivals Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a, 7:00 p.m., Kalākaua Avenue between Lewers Street & Kapahulu Avenue: The Annual Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a is Hawaii’s largest block party. Thousands of people will take to the streets along Kalākaua Avenue for food, fun and entertainment. Island entertainers will perform along with hula hālau while Hawaiian crafts and flower lei will be on display and available for purchase.
Saturday, September 22
66th Annual Aloha Festivals Floral Parade, 9:00 a.m., Kalākaua Avenue from Ala Moana Park to Kapi‘olani Park: An equestrian procession of pā‘ū riders, floats with cascades of Hawaiian flowers, hula hālau and marching bands will walk down Kalākaua Avenue.
More information about the Aloha Festivals is available at www.alohafestivals.com.
