The He Hali‘a Aloha no Lili‘uokalani Festival and birthday celebration is taking place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today at Lili‘uokalani Gardens in Hilo.
The He Hali‘a Aloha no Lili‘uokalani Festival and birthday celebration is taking place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today at Lili‘uokalani Gardens in Hilo.
This year’s festival to honor Queen Lili‘uokalani, Hawaii’s last reigning monarch, is presented in conjunction with the centennial celebration of the park’s gardens and is being coordinated and sponsored in part by the Friends of Lili‘uokalani Gardens.
The daylong event features music, hula, arts, crafts, food, demonstrations, children’s games and cultural activities.
Entertainment will include Darlene Ahuna, Taishoji Taiko, Komakakino with Halau Ha‘akea a Kala, the Waiakea Ukulele Band, Tahitian by Merahi Productions, and a finale featuring Mark Yamanaka, recipient of multiple Na Hoku Hanohano awards.
Hula is the major focus of the festival and each year festivities are kicked off with a mass hula featuring more than 250 dancers throughout the park performing a traditional mele.
Dancers from throughout the state will perform together, symbolizing the queen’s vision of sharing 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 activities include a Japanese tea ceremony, jumping castle and water slide, coconut weaving, Hawaiian printing and stamp pads, Hawaiian herbs and crafts, and children’s coloring activities designed to provide historical information about the garden.
Community and educational organizations will be on hand to offer information on available services for families on Hawaii Island.
A bountiful variety of local foods will be available for purchase.
Admission to the festival is free. Additional public parking is available at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium where Hawaii County Mass Transit will provide free shuttle service from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Hawaii County is proud to partner with the Queen Lili‘uokalani Trust, Pacific Radio Group, Hilo Fire Extinguishers, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, Grand Naniloa Hotel, KWXX, Honolulu Skylark Productions, CJ Promotions, the Hawaii Tropical Flowers Council and the Friends of Lili‘uokalani Gardens to present this cultural experience to residents and visitors.