Flowers and Falsettos

HONOLULU From the somber and spiritual tone of royal court investitures to the pomp and pageantry of parades, Hawaii’s Aloha Festivals is set to celebrate its 58th year. Slated for Sept. 10-Oct. 9, this year’s six-island affair has been themed “No Na Kamali`i,” translated as “For the Children.”

The largest cultural celebration in Hawaii, the 2004 festival will be highlighted by colorful activities reflecting island heritage and the spirit of keiki (children). More than 1 million visitors and residents are expected to join the fun, which includes street parties, concerts, crafts fairs and parades.

According to Leolani Kini, president of Aloha Festivals, this year’s keiki theme will play out with all the excitement that children bring to an occasion.

“We’ve held an art poster contest asking fourth- and fifth-graders statewide to interpret what ‘No Na Kamali`i’ means to them,” Kini explained. “The winner will ride in the parade through Waikiki. We’re also finalizing other fun things like a keiki hoolaulea [celebration] and spelling bee.”

While certain events are held statewide, others are unique to a particular island. Among the most unusual is the Big Island’s Ms. Aloha Nui Contest, a one-of-a-kind beauty pageant honoring the large stature of island women. To be eligible, contestants are required to tip the scale in excess of 200 pounds.

On the Big Island, Maui and Oahu, Hawaii’s finest falsettos gather to belt out their best high-register notes. This vocal art form dates back to a time when Hawaiian women were forbidden to sing publicly. Modern performers throw their voices into the upper registers of the musical scale, with their art of Hawaii storytelling as a bonus.

Naturally, culinary events are among the favorites. On the Big Island, the Sam Choy Poke Contest serves up proof of that popularity and then some. Since 1992, this tribute to “Hawaii’s Soul Food” has grown from a one-tent event in Waimea Town to a huge extravaganza at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel.

Poke (po-keh) is a Hawaiian word meaning to slice or cut, and poke as a food is bite-sized pieces of raw, fresh fish mixed with seaweed, kukui nut relish and other seasonings. Up to 90 amateur and career chefs will compete for $15,000 in cash and prizes. Kini noted that Aloha Festivals is hoping to hold a separate poke contest among Oahu companies in downtown Honolulu.

“What we want to do this year is to get the community involved in Aloha Festivals at every level,” she explained. “We’d like to have different companies and organizations hold their own poke contest, then bring their winners together for a ‘People’s Choice’ contest during the downtown hoolaulea.”

Traditionally, the largest draws are the floral parades and hoolauleas held statewide. Set for Sept. 11, the Oahu parade will flow through Waikiki with a two-hour procession of horseback riders, floats, hula troupes and bands.

Kini pointed out that the festival attracts a great deal of repeat business to the islands. “When people travel, they want to find value in it. They want experiences where they can learn,” she remarked. “We feel Aloha Festivals helps people appreciate and respect our roots which will hopefully help them appreciate their own as well. It’s a cultural experience that we share lovingly.”