With a mission of honoring Native Hawaiian culture and traditions from generation to generation, as well as sharing them with visitors and the community, the 2024 Festivals of Aloha continues with major events in Hāna, including Kapena headlining on Oct. 26, and in Wailea, including the Carmen Hulu Lindsey Leo Ha’iha’i Falsetto Contest at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea on Oct. 25.
“This is the third annual one,” explains contest producer Daryl Fujiwara. “The last champion was crowned in April last year.” Lahaina’s Teressa Deneen Welolani Medeiros won in 2013.
With the aim of helping preserve the art of leo ha’iha’i falsetto, Fujiwara says musicians perpetuating the tradition include “prominent Hawaiian female singers like Amy (Hānaiali’i) and Raiatea (Helm), and all the way back to Genoa Keawe, and her great granddaughter Pomaika’i Lyman, and her great-granddaughter Mālie Lyman. The contests are about continuing the traditions in the style of the namesake. Aunty Hulu (Lindsey) is looking for artists who will continue her legacy and maintain her stature as an entertainer, professional, dressed well, carries themselves well. It’s not just about singing. It’s also about how you’re groomed and how you take care of yourself. There are all of these different caveats to being an entertainer and not just pure talent.”
The Leo Ha’iha’i Falsetto Contest debuted at the Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua in 2022. “We created it with Uncle Clifford Nae’ole,” Fujiwara notes. “I want to pay homage to Uncle Clifford for believing in the vision and helping us to get it off the ground. I was able to bring it to life, and we asked Aunty Hulu to be the namesake, and she graciously accepted. So we’re on this path to helping maintain the traditions of leo ha’iha’i in Hawaii.”
Besides the falsetto contest on Oct. 25, Wailea’s Four Seasons will also host the free Hula is the Heartbeat celebration of Hawaiian music and hula on Oct. 26. Participating hālau include Hālau O Ka Hanu Lehua led by Kumu Hula Kamaka Kūkona, Hālau Kekuaokala’au’ala’iliahi with Nā Kumu Hula Haunani and ‘Iliahi Paredes, Hālau Kauluokalā with Kumu Hula Uluwehi Guerrero, Hālau Kamaluokaleihulu led by Kumu Hula Kahulu Maluo, and Kumu Hula Napua Silva and Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka.
“We usually have four hālau and this year we have five performing,” says Fujiwara.
“We invite everyone to come because all of these events there are free.”
Supported by the non-profit Kāhuli Leo Le’a and the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the hula celebration will be livestreamed on mele.com.
The theme of the 2024 festival, “Ka La’i o Hauola” (The Calm of Hauola), pays tribute to Pōhakuohauola, the Hauola Stone of Lahaina, known for its healing powers.
The theme was selected by Kumu Hula Cody Pueo Pata. “The famed Pōhakuohauola was once a birthing stone for those of exalted lineages; a place for residents of the region to deposit the piko of their children with prayers of health and longevity,” Pata said. “It is still revered as a healing stone for those who might seek its restorative powers. As the communities affected by the devastating wildfires on Aug. 8, 2023, continue on the path to recovery and restoration, Maui’s Festivals of Aloha raises forth this year’s theme, Ka La’i o Hauola–The Calm of Hauola. This ‘ōlelo no’eau represents sentiments of peace and comfort.”
A week of events kicks off in Hāna on Oct. 18 with the ‘Āina X Kai Foods Cook-off Competition at 2:30 p.m. at the Hāna Farmers Market. The winner will be announced at 5. With music by Liz Morales and Jordan Soon, featuring George Kahumoku, Jr.
“Hana is so outrageous with two to three events every day for a whole week,” says Fujiwara. “It’s incredible, but that’s what Festivals of Aloha is, it’s maintaining these small town traditions for not just the visitor, but for our people. The premise of Festivals of Aloha started with making sure that our traditions are maintained and continue on.”
A parade of floats on Oct. 19 begins at 11 a.m. with motorcycles, pa’u riders, floats, vintage cars, taiko, and grand marshal Jonathan Tolentino, preceded by the Hāna Royal Court. A ho’olaule’a at 1 p.m. features the Kamehameha Schools Pep Band, Ho’ohana Band, and Zenshin Daiko, plus Cirque Jolie stilt walking and balloon twisting, and strolling magic with Brenton Keith.
The festival continues on Oct. 20 at Hāna Bay with a Shoreline Fishing Tournament, followed by an ‘Ohana Beach Day from noon to 5 with net throwing, water balloon toss, and a hula hoop competition. A sports night on Oct. 21 and 22 begins at Hāna Ballpark at 5 p.m.
There’s a lei making class on Oct. 22 at noon at the Hāna-Maui Resort lobby. Festivities on Oct. 23 feature a movie night at 5 p.m. at Hāna Ball Park. The Hāna Arts’ Annual Talent Show will be held on Oct. 24 at 5 p.m. with judges Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winning musician Kevin Brown, Chino LaForge, Trish DaDish, and Kumu Hula Pi’ilani Lua. Top prize is $500.
A floral and lei contest will be held at 10 a.m. on Oct. 25 at the Hāna-Maui Resort. Entertainment at 5 p.m. at Kapueokahi Hāna Bay includes Kula Kaiapuni O Hāna, and an aloha attire and malo contest.
The festival concludes with a Hō’ike Night at Hāna Bay with multi- Hōkū winners Kapena, the Kalapana Awa Band, and Kamalei Kawa’a and hālau. Tickets are $25 presale with a festival ribbon, $30 presale without ribbon, $40 at the door with ribbon, and $45 at the door without ribbon. Children under 10 are admitted free. Presale tickets can be purchased at Hasegawa General Store.
All festival events at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea are free.