Volume IX, No. 37 Waikīkī Improvement Association September 11—17, 2008 Waikīkī Wiki Wiki Wire Aloha Festivals 2008 “Hula, The Art of Hawaiian Dance” Get out your ti-leaf skirts and flower lei. The theme of this year’s Aloha Festivals is “Hula, The Art of Hawaiian Dance,” celebrating hula and presenting Hawai‘i’s history and culture through this unique art form. This year, as part of an effort to sharpen the focus of this annual celebration, Aloha Festivals will take place for one weekend only on O‘ahu. About Hula “Hula is the great art of Hawai‘i – alive and loved in the Islands and celebrated and studied around the world. It is a dance that is innately Hawaiian and devoted to expressing the essence of the Islands, capturing in movement everything from the delicate beauty of an ‘ōhi‘a blossom to the unstoppable power of Pele.” – Julia Steele, editor at large, Hana Hou! Hula has always been a focal point in Hawaiian culture and is precious in the way it is presented. Hula tells a story, from the mele (song) chosen, to the facial expressions, hand motions, foot and hip movements. Learn to express your love for someone or depict the misty rain along the Ko‘olau Mountains. Costumes and lei also illustrate the color or flower of an sland or era of the particular dance. All these components come together to portray the meaning behind the mele, which everyone will experience at Aloha Festivals events. 2008 Royal Court (Members from left to right: Prince - Justy Keikiliiliionalani Kalilimoku, King - Wyatt Kamalu- lani Kahapea, Queen - Tracy Lokelani Keliihoomalu, continued Princess - Elise Ululani Kahikina) Inside this issue: Aloha Festival Events Schedule and 2 Aqua Bamboo & Spa Renovates & Offers Special 6 Members of the Royal Court Aloha Festival Ribbons 3 Corey Campbell Named HR Training Manager 7 6th Annual Hapa Haole Hula & Music Fesival 8 Aqua Hotels—First Employee-Owned Hotel Company 4 Jerry Gibson Returns to Hilton 5 Waikīkī Beach Marriott & Spa Calendar 10 . and MORE Aloha Festivals Events Aloha Festivals Proudly Announces The Members Of Its 2008 Royal Court Thursday, September 11 Aloha Festivals is proud to announce the members of Aloha Festivals 2008 Royal Court Investiture, 9:30 its 2008 Royal Court. The Royal Court is a symbol of a.m., Hilton Hawaiian Village – The king, queen, Hawaiian heritage passed down through generations prince and princess take their place in the royal court. of Hawaiian descendants for over 62 years. The Ali‘i court members will receive the royal cloak, helmet, head feather lei and other symbols of their Royal Court Members reign. Traditional chant and hula kāhiko will highlight the event. Mō‘ī Kāne (King) – Wyatt Kamalulani Kahapea Wyatt is a graduate of Roosevelt High School employed Aloha Festivals Opening Ceremony, 4:30 p.m., ‘Iolani by Apria Healthcare as a senior transfill technician. Palace – Traditional chant and hula mark the official Wyatt’s father was also Mō‘ī Kāne, making him the beginning of the Aloha Festivals events. The Aloha first son to follow in his father’s footsteps in this Festivals Royal Court will be introduced on the distinguished role. Wyatt hopes that his participation grounds of ‘Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in the in the Royal Court will inspire his own two sons to United States. take an active interest in their culture and heritage. In his free time, Wyatt enjoys taking his sons to Tahitian Friday, September 12 drumming practice. 56th Annual Aloha Festivals Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a, 7:00 Mō‘ī Wahine (Queen) – Tracy Lokelani p.m. – The Annual Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a is Hawai‘i’s Keli‘iho‘omalu largest block party. Thousands of people will take to Tracy is a graduate of Sacred Hearts Academy and the streets along Kalākaua Avenue for food, fun and works for KITV as a program coordinator. Her entertainment. There will be hula hālau (hula schools) participation in the Court reflects Tracy’s desire to performances, Hawaiian musicians, Hawaiian crafts perpetuate her Hawaiian heritage. She is the vice and flower lei. president of the Parent Teacher Student Guild Board at her son’s school, St. Anthony School in Kailua, and Saturday, September 13 also serves as a Baptism Ministry instructor. Tracy’s sister was also a Court princess in 1975. 62nd Annual Aloha Festivals Floral Parade, 9:00 a.m. – A colorful equestrian procession of female and male Kamāli‘i Kāne (Prince) – Justy Keikiliiliionalani pā‘ū riders, extravagant floats with cascades of Kalilimoku Hawaiian flowers, hula hālau and marching bands will Justy is a 2008 graduate of Roosevelt High School who brighten Kalākaua Avenue from Ala Moana Park to will be furthering his education in the fall at Kapi‘olani Kapi‘olani Park. This “must see” event will pay homage Community College. Justy was encouraged to apply by to the art of hula. his brother, who was also prince in 2003 and views the honor and privilege of being similarly chosen as an Hapa Haole Hula & Music Festival and Competition, important step in his life. He is proud to represent his Noon, Kapi‘olani Park Bandstand – This unique style heritage and hopes to share his experience as prince is one of the many faces of hula and is fun and with others through community service. entertaining to watch. This event is the preliminary round for the final competition, which will be held Kamāli‘i Wahine (Princess) – Elise Ululani Kahikina October 10. For more information, please visit Elise is currently a student of Ke Kula ‘o Samuel M. www.hapahaolefest.org. Kamakau, a Hawaiian immersion school located on the Windward side of O‘ahu that focuses on Native Sunday, September 14 Hawaiian health education for families committed to perpetuating the Hawaiian language. Elise first Aloha Tower Marketplace’s Third Annual ‘Ukulele participated in Aloha Festivals in 2007 as a lady in Contest, 10:00 a.m., Aloha Tower Marketplace – This waiting for the Royal Court. Her mother was a queen free event celebrates of one of Hawai‘i’s most in 2004 and her cousin was princess in 2006. Elise is recognizable musical instruments. The air at Aloha proud of her heritage and honored to show Hawai‘i’s Tower’s Center Stage will be filled with music and visitors the deeper meaning of the Hawaiian culture festivities guaranteed to get the hips moving. Amateur beyond the tourist attractions. ‘ukulele players will compete for prizes in front of celebrity judges. For more information, visit www.alohatower.com. Continued on page 3 Page 2, September 11—17, 2008 Page 2 Waikīkī Wiki Wiki Wire Continued from page 2 · Ko Aloha Ukulele (two to be awarded) Members of the Court are selected by a special · Hawaiian Jewelry Pendant from Kahiko (two to be committee and must be of at least part Hawaiian awarded) ancestry. They serve in their position for a year and make various special appearances at events and This year’s Aloha Festivals ribbon features a custom schools during their reign, from August 2008 through design that represents the Festivals’ theme for 2008, July 2009. Scholarships will be awarded to each “Hula – The Art of Hawaiian Dance.” All funds raised prince and princess to help further their education through ribbon sales will go directly to Aloha Festivals after high school. and its efforts to perpetuate this unique celebration of Hawaiian culture. The public is invited to take part in the Royal Court Ribbons are now on sale for $5 each at a variety of Investiture at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on locations in Waikiki, including: Thursday, September 11 at 9:30 a.m. when the king, queen, prince and princess take their places in the Court. The Ali‘i Court members will receive the royal · ABC Stores cloak, helmet, head feather lei and other symbols of · Ala Moana Center their station. Traditional chant and hula kāhiko will · Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki highlight the event. · Hilton Grand Vacations · Hyatt Regency Waikiki More information on Aloha Festivals and its events · Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort can be found at www.alohafestivals.com or by calling · Pacific Beach Hotel 808-391-8714. · Sheraton Princess Kaiulani · Sheraton Waikiki · The Ilikai Hotel Aloha Festivals Ribbon Could Be A The Hawaii Hotel and Lodging Association is the Ticket To Far-Off Destinations official Aloha Festivals ribbon distributor this year. The association will accept ribbon orders of any Funds will support the perpetuation of Aloha Festi- quantity until September 12. Payment can be made vals, the state’s longest-running Hawaiian cultural with cash, credit cards or checks made out to “Aloha celebration Festivals.” It’s once again time to get your ribbons for Aloha Fes- For more information on ribbon sales, contact Tina tivals, because the state’s longest-running Hawaiian Yamaki at 923-0407 or [email protected]. cultural celebration is just around the corner. As part of this year’s fundraising effort, Aloha Festivals will “All of our events are free, and each ribbon purchase hold its first-ever sweepstakes drawing. In addition, is a wonderful way of giving back to Aloha Festivals,” many Oahu hotels and businesses have partnered said Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, president of Aloha with Aloha Festivals to offer great discounts and deals Festivals’ executive board. “Not only are you for those with a 2008 Aloha Festivals ribbon. supporting our organization financially, but you’re also assisting with the perpetuation of Hawaii’s Details and rules for the sweepstakes and discounts longest-running cultural celebration. You’re investing can be found online at www.alohafestivals.com. in a great tradition.” The purchase