Rick Egged

September 3, 2014 | By Waikiki Magazine Team

President of Waikiki Improvement Association

rickegged

Aloha and welcome to Waikiki.

In September, aloha takes to the streets in Waikiki. Celebrating its 68th year as Hawai‘i’s oldest and most participatory of cultural activities, the 2014 Aloha Festivals shares the history and traditions of Hawai‘i and the unique spirit of aloha with both kama‘aina (local residents) and malihini (visitors).

This year’s Aloha Festivals theme is “Maluhia Honua – World Peace With Aloha.” Aloha Festivals honors the Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) and the round-the-world voyage of the sailing canoe Hokule‘a. Embarking on a mission to promote world peace, the theme of the voyage is “Malama Honua – Caring for Island Earth.” This year, Aloha Festivals again pays tribute to PVS and the intrepid navigators and crews with “Maluhia Honua – World Peace with Aloha,” which was also inspired by a song, “For a Peaceful World,” composed by Irmgard Farden Aluli and translated into Hawaiian by Napua Stevens-Poire. Both of these cultural icons were, for many years, participants in and supporters of Aloha Festivals. The 2014 theme honors the brave and inspiring canoe builders, voyagers and navigators who have strived tirelessly to help keep our native culture vibrant.

"HAWAII FIVE-O" SUNSET ON THE BEACH PHOTO:COURTESY MARIO PEREZ/CBS © 2011

“HAWAII FIVE-O” SUNSET ON THE BEACH PHOTO:COURTESY MARIO PEREZ/CBS © 2011

The celebration begins with the investiture of the 2014 Aloha Festivals Royal Court on September 6 at the Royal Hawaiian Center, Royal Grove, followed by a stirring opening ceremony featuring traditional chant and hula. On September 13, Pearl-ridge Center will host a Keiki Ho‘olaule‘a (children’s block party) with activities, demonstrations and entertainment by keiki musical groups and hula halau (hula troupes). On Saturday, September 20, on Kalakaua Avenue there is an evening ho‘olaule‘a (block party) with live entertainment on multiple stages, food booths and crafts. The celebration culminates with a floral parade along Kalakaua Avenue on September 27.

Hawaii Five-0” returns with the season five premiere at Sunset on the Beach on September 13. Check the WIA website, www.waikikiimprovement.com, for details.

Another one of Hawai‘i’s premier events, the Hawai‘i International Film Festival, runs from October 30 to November 9 and is presented by the Halekulani Hotel. HIFF is a highly regarded international film event that has won the praise of governments, filmmakers, scholars, educators, programmers and film industry leaders across the globe. HIFF’s programming has two particular mandates: to be a festival of record for emerging films from Asia and the Pacific, and to present the top festival films from around the world, annually screening films from over 45 countries.

Check the HIFF website for more information: www.hiff.org.