Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 21, Number 9, 1 September 2004 — Aloha Festivals takes flight with Hawaiian Airlines [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Aloha Festivals takes flight with Hawaiian Airlines

By Manu Boyd In its 58th year of what has heeome the largest statewide cultural festival in the nation, Aloha Festivals - previously "Aloha Week'" - is moving forward despite fiscal woes. The festivals' 'belt tightening' has scaled back statewide events and downsized the administrative office, but the show goes on with a lot of help from hundreds of volunteers and generous community

support. This vear, and through 2006, Hawaiian

Airlines has stepped up to the plate as the festivals' title sponsor, committing , $150,000 in eaeh of the I three years in marketing I services, in-kind contribu- m tions and cash support. Especially benefiting from i

Hawaiian Airlines sponsorship are the events

with the greatest community impact, including the Downtown, Waikīkī and Neighbor Island Ho'olaule'a, floral parades and falsetto singing contests. "We are so fortunate to have this kind of kōkua from Hawaiian Airlines," said 2004 festival president Leolani Kini. "We depend heavily on corporate sponsors and appreciate every dollar we receive. Aloha Festivals gives us the opportunity to share our culture, good nature,

vibrations and aloha. We have the best love to share, not

only with our eommunity and visitors, but with the world." , Aloha Festivals f operates with an annual budget of about $1 million, producing scores of

cultural events statewide over several

weeks in September and October. State funding through an appropriation from the Hawai'i Tourism Authority eontributes approximately $300,000 to the festival coffers. Beyond state, county and corporate support, festival merchandise, including T-shirts and ribbons, is

depended upon heavily. Eaeh year, an event theme inspires artwork that is featured on merchandise sold at festival events. Hawai'i's youngsters are the focus this year, with the theme: "No nā Kamali'i" (For the Children). "I'm a mom, and I love kids," said Kini. "I see a lot of potential in Hawai'i's ehildren, especially through education." Festival ribbons sell for $5, but contribute a great deal in events designed for kama'āina and malihini alike, including hloek parties, parades, See ALOHA on page 14

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ALOHAfrom page 13 children's days, concerts and more. This year, ribbons may be purchased at 7-Eleven stores, Hilo Hattie's, Bank of Hawai'i and Safeway stores. Ribbons, T-shirts and other merchandise will be available at events beginning in mid-September. Festival President Kini has served on the festivals' volunteer board of directors for more than a decade. "I remember attending the investiture of the O'ahu Royal Court years ago," she said. "That's what got me hooked. I had such a feeling of cultural pride. Aloha Festivals made me appreciate my roots and culture. Aloha Festivals helps to nurture our collective spirit; it's another reminder that we have mueh to be proud of." Festival dates vary from island to island, and sometimes overlap or run concurrently. Some pre-festival events occurred in August, like the impressive investiture of the Hawai'i Island Royal Court at Halema'uma'u. This year, Kaua'i is first up with events from Sept. 9-16. O'ahu and Hawai'i island will run concurrently from Sept. 10-19. Lāna'i's abbreviated festival runs from Sept. 15-18. Maui events span over three weeks from Sept. 24Oct. 16, and Moloka'i's week-long celebration is from Sept. 29-Oct. 2. For a detailed schedule of events, eheek out the program guide available with your ribbon purchase, or visit on-line at www.alohafestivals.com, or www.hawaiianairlines.com. To heeome a valued Aloha Festivals member, or for additional information, eall 589-1771. ■