| If you're thinking about going on a Hawaiian | | | | partying with the locals, enjoying the traditional |
| vacation and you want the full on cultural | | | | welcoming aspects of Hawaiian culture. |
| experience, there's no better time to take your | | | | Food and drink are plentiful, and everything is |
| trip than the fall, when the Aloha festival | | | | decked out with garlands of flowers. |
| celebrates the islands' royal heritage. | | | | The scent of these flowers fills the warm island |
| The first Aloha Festivals took place in 1946, when | | | | air. Free festivals in every major city offer the |
| a group of Jaycees staged a grassroots cultural | | | | chance to discover local arts and crafts and |
| celebration reminiscent of the Makahiki season of | | | | watch local dancers perform for the public. Hula |
| ancient Hawaii. | | | | dancing is particularly popular, with Waikiki Beach |
| The event now encompasses some 300 events | | | | famously playing host to the world's longest hula |
| on six islands spanning a two-month period. Nearly | | | | line. There's also the prestigious Hawaiian falsetto |
| 30,000 volunteers work together to stage the | | | | contest, held on O'ahu. |
| various events, which are attended by nearly a | | | | For those who want to see something with more |
| million people each year. | | | | ancient roots, there are the royal ceremonies, at |
| The Aloha Festival runs through mid-October. Each | | | | which symbolic royal court officials are provided |
| island chooses a king, queen, prince, princess and | | | | with their titles for a year. Strangers are welcome |
| attendants, all of whom are of Hawaiian descent. | | | | to greet the court if they bring gifts and garlands. |
| The investiture of each island's alii is a wonderfully | | | | It's a superb opportunity to get involved in an |
| colorful affair, accompanied by conch shell | | | | event of great historic significance. |
| blowers, kahili (feather standard) bearers, | | | | There are also ceremonies to honour Queen |
| ladies-in-waiting and others. | | | | Lili`uokalani, Hawaii's last reigning monarch, in the |
| The festival encompasses the traditional royal | | | | park which bears her name. You'll find music, |
| investiture ceremonies, last of their kind in the | | | | dancing, special food, and storytellers recounting |
| Americas, and also involves tributes to Pele, | | | | the islands' traditional tales. |
| goddess of the volcanoes which light up the night | | | | The Aloha festival offers a wonderful way for |
| sky. | | | | visitors to get to know Hawaiian culture. Even if |
| The stated mission of the Aloha Festivals is to | | | | you don't stray far from your vacation condo, |
| "preserve and perpetuate Hawaiian culture and to | | | | you'll find block parties at which everybody is |
| celebrate the diverse customs and Aloha Spirit of | | | | welcome. |
| Hawaii." | | | | So choose fall for your next Hawaiian vacation, |
| From a vacation condo base in Honolulu, you can | | | | and you won't be disappointed. |
| watch street parades go by and get involved in | | | | |