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HONOLULU'S 54 year-old Aloha Festivals is
Hawai'i's largest festival and the only statewide celebration in the
United States. What is known today asAloha Festivals was created in 1946,
as Aloha Week - a cultural celebration of Hawai'i's music, dance and
history intended to preserve our unique traditions. A group of former
Jaycees - known as the Jaycees Old-timers of Hawai'i - had the vision to
create a public celebration to honor Hawai'i's cosmopolitan heritage, yet
created a celebration which has itself become an island tradition. Aloha
Festivals has grown over the past 50 years to encompass 300 events on six
islands spanning a two-month period. (For this reason, Aloha Week became
Aloha Festivals in 1991.) Aloha Festivals has become a celebration of our
Pacific, Asian and Western cultural influences, from the Japanese Bon
Dance to the traditional hula. Nearly 30,000 volunteers labor together to
stage the events, which are attended by nearly 1 million - a festival
truly of the people of Hawai'i by the people of Hawai'i.
E
Mau Ana Ka Hula I Ke Kanaka
"Hula Lives Through Its People"
The art of hula has survived, endured and evolved throughout many
generations of historical, political and cultural change and it continues
to be the main venue for perpetuating the oral traditions of our 'aina,
our beloved land.
Practitioners of the hula have for years embraced both the traditional and
contemporary forms of oli (chant) and hula (dance) expressing their love,
beauty and passion for the elements of nature and for each other. We
honour these practitioners – kumu hula (teachers) and haumana (students)
and the art form of hula.
E Mau Ana Ka Hula I Ke Kanaka. May hula continue to live through its
people.
"Hula 'Auana", is an original watercolour by Mapuana Schneider
EVENT SCHEDULE (2003: 12sep-26oct)
All dates are subject to change. Any
questions or for more information please contact Aloha Festivals (Phone:
1-800-852-7690)
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