The He Hali‘a Aloha No Lili‘uokalani Festival, the late queen’s birthday celebration, will be from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday in Hilo’s Lili‘uokalani Gardens Park. ADVERTISING The He Hali‘a Aloha No Lili‘uokalani Festival, the late queen’s birthday celebration, will be from
The He Hali‘a Aloha No Lili‘uokalani Festival, the late queen’s birthday celebration, will be from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday in Hilo’s Lili‘uokalani Gardens Park.
The festival celebrates the birthday of Queen Lili‘uokalani, who was born Sept. 2, 1838, and pays tribute to the historical significance of Lili‘uokalani Gardens.
The daylong festival will feature music, hula, arts, crafts, food, demonstrations, children’s games and cultural activities. Entertainment throughout the day will include Darlene Ahuna, Kukulu Kumuhana, Taishoji Taiko, Komakakino with Halau Ha‘akea A Kala, the Waiakea Ukulele Band, Kanakapila and Kahulanui.
Hula is the major focus of the festival, and each year the event begins with a mass hula composed of more than 400 dancers scattered throughout the park performing the traditional “E Lili‘u E.”
This year, another song will be featured, “‘O Makalapua,” which was written for the queen because she believed children were the blossoms of the future.
Dancers from throughout the state will perform together, symbolizing the queen’s vision to share the Hawaiian culture with the rest of the world.
During this performance, more than 50,000 orchid blossoms will rain from the skies above the park.
Other special activities and demonstrations include a Japanese tea ceremony, jumping castle and water slide, nose flute making, coconut weaving, Hawaiian printing and stamp pads, Portuguese “horse shoes,” konani game, Hawaiian herbs and lomi lomi.
A bountiful variety of local foods will be available for purchase. Gourmet hot dogs, sandwiches, a variety of plate lunches, baked goods, shave ice, popcorn, cotton candy, smoothies and floats also will be available.
Community and educational organizations will be on hand to offer information about available services for families.
Admission to the festival is free. Additional public parking is available at the Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium, and Hawaii County Mass Transit will provide free shuttle service from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Culture and Education Division of Hawaii County invites all to come and celebrate the birthday of our last reigning monarch.
For more information, call 961-8706.
