MEDIA RELEASE

A nearly month-long Big Island cultural celebration with years of tradition, now called the “Hawaii Island Festival – 30 Days of Aloha,” has a new approach and a strong commitment to share the island’s aloha and diverse heritage with residents and visitors alike.

Hawaii Island Festival’s army of volunteers invites visitors from the far corners of the earth to participate in the celebration and welcomes island businesses and residents to attend and support the island’s unique signature events.

30 Days of Aloha 2009 (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7)

Spearheading the events for 2010 are Moani Akana, project manager, grant writer & Paniolo Parade chair; Linda Pokipala, Poke Contest & Waimea Hoolaulea Food chair, Pua Garmon, Kindy Sproat Falsetto Contest chair, Leiola Mitchell, Ms. Aloha Nui chair, Lorna Akima, Waimea Hoolaulea Craft chair & Doreen Kama, Court Director.

Partnerships with the County of Hawaii’s Big Island Resource Conservation Development, Hawaii Tourism Authority, and Waikoloa Beach Resort continue to support three popular signature events – the Ms. Aloha Nui, Kindy Sproat Falsetto & Poke Contests.

Also partnering in the celebration are many local entertainers and celebrities as well as popular Hawaii clothiers who together support the festival’s mission of “perpetuating the cultural traditions and the aloha spirit of Hawaii.”

Schedule of events

* Saturday, Aug.28, 10 a.m. – Royal Court Investiture, Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park

* Friday, Sept, 3, 6 p.m. – Ms. Aloha Nui Pageant, Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

* Saturday, Sept. 4, 11 a.m. – Poke Contest, Hilton Waikoloa Village

* Saturday, Sept. 4, 6 p.m. – Kindy Sproat Falsetto & Storytelling Contest, Waikoloa Beach Resort

* Sunday, Sept. 5, 11 a.m. – Hawaiian Elegance Brunch, Hilton Waikoloa Village

* Saturday, Sept. 19 – 10 a.m., Waimea’s 35th Annual Paniolo Parade & Waimea’s Hoolaulea

Royal Court appearances:

* Thursday, Sept. 17, 5 p.m. – Kupuna Hula Festival, Keauhou Resort.

Many of the events are free or include nominal entrance fees.

Residents and visitors are invited to help sustain the festival by purchasing “Hawaii Island Festival – 30 Days of Aloha” keepsake ribbons. The ribbons are required to attend (with a minimum fee) the Ms. Aloha Nui, Poke and Falsetto contests.

In the early years, the “Hawaii Island Festival – 30 Days of Aloha” was a part of the statewide Aloha Festivals celebration, but in recent years has become a stand-alone Hawaii Island celebration organized and supported by Big Island businesses and residents.

For more information:
www.hawaiiislandfestival.org
www.waikoloabeachresort.com/big-island-activities-events