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Aloha Festivals Kaanapali Celebration Brings to Life the Excitement of an Ancient Makahiki
Kaanapali Beach, Maui, Hawaii (September 10, 2004) - In ancient Hawaii, the Makahiki was a celebration of the abundance of the land and sea and the accomplishments of the Hawaiian people. Aloha Festivals commemorates this joyful time with the second annual Maui Makahiki, which is scheduled for Saturday, October 9 at Kaanapali Beach Hotel. Complimentary festivities will include Hawaiian lifestyle demonstrations, island style foods, hula performances and traditional Hawaiian music and crafts, and will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event will be at the hotel’s oceanfront Luau Garden beginning with the procession of this year’s Aloha Festivals Maui Royal Court members and a presentation of the ancient Makahiki by Na Koa Kau I Ka Meheu O Na Kupuna (Warriors that Walk in the Footsteps of their Ancestors). The group will feature a narrated performance that promises to transport the audience back in time to another way of life as they demonstrate Hawaiian martial arts, the skill dances of warriors.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. visitors and kamaaina can browse through craft booths with locally made Hawaiian items such as leis, shell jewelry, Hawaiian-print bags, clothing, quilts and more. Barbeque plate lunches will be available for purchase throughout the day.
While sampling local cuisine and browsing through cultural arts and crafts, guests can learn ancient Hawaiian practices at the cultural lifestyle demonstrations. There will be Koa jewelry making, throw net fishing, coconut weaving, poi pounding, lei making, canoe rides and ti leaf cape making exhibits. The Makahiki includes Moa and Ihe Pahee (dart sliding), Ulumaika (Hawaiian bowling), Haka Moa (contact wrestling), Hakoko (Hawaiian wrestling) Lele Ihe (spear throwing) and a reenactment of a hand-to-hand battle.
Non-stop entertainment hosted by emcee Ekela Kaniaupio will accompany the event, with live performances by local artists such as Uncle Richard Hoopii, a master slack key guitar player who has enchanted audiences for decades with his leo kiekie (falsetto) style. Elemakule will also be playing and the award-winning Kanoeau Dance Academy will perform their interpretations of modern and ancient hula. The up and coming band Hookani will fill the air with their energetic music before Na Kamalii O Ke Akua finishes up the afternoon.
Following the daytime events, there will be a starlight concert beginning at 5:30 p.m. featuring many different performances to keep the excitement rolling into the night. Hookena will bring to the stage their unique vocal blend and skilled instrumentation, which have garnered them Na Hoku Hanohano awards such as Group of the Year and Hawaiian Album of the Year. Newcomer Kainani Kahaunaele will delight the crowd with songs from her debut album “Nau
Oe,” which won her three 2004 Na Hoku awards after being nominated for seven. The band Wana will also be singing classic Hawaiian songs in three-part harmonies
Rodney Villanueva, one of Hawaii’s premier comedians, will also be performing, Keeaumoku Kapu’s group will present Hawaiian martial arts, and the halau Na Wai Punalei will put on an enchanting hula show. Ekela Kaniaupio will also emcee the evening show. Plate lunches of miso glazed salmon, sweet potato and tofu, or lau lau will be available for purchase along with cocktails from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m.
The Maui Makahiki daytime event is free for all to enjoy, and we welcome you to the evening concert for just $15 in advance with an Aloha Festivals ribbon or $20 without. Parking is $3 with a ribbon or $6 without, and the Aloha Festivals ribbons cost $5 each. Tickets and ribbons are available at Kaanapali Beach Hotel’s Ohana Fun Center at (808) 667-0129. Ribbon purchases provide discounts to events, major attractions, restaurants and shops, and help fund the statewide festival. For more information, call (808) 661-0011.
Honoring Hawaii’s heritage and culture for 58 years, Aloha Festivals celebrates with pageantry, parades, street parties, concerts and family activities that span six islands over six weeks during September and October. The annual festival is presented by Hawaiian Airlines, whose corporate sponsorship provides a primary source of funding for the free events and activities statewide. Other sponsors include Kaanapali Beach Hotel and the Hawaii Tourism Authority. To get a current schedule of events or to purchase the official 2004 program guide, visit www.alohafestivals.com.
