Aloha Festivals celebrate flowers, music and fun
| • | Aloha Festivals Floral Parade map |
Advertiser Staff
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It's a big weekend for Aloha Festivals celebrations. Wear your ribbon, break out the sunscreen and head for Waikiki:
• The floral parade begins at 9 a.m. today at the 'ewa end of Ala Moana Beach Park and winds along Ala Moana and Kalakaua to Kapahulu Avenue. Floats, marching units, hula halau and pa'u riders at this 55th annual event. Free.
• Family Fun Day/Salute to America, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. today at Kapi'olani Park, is a family affair that features patriotic entertainment, food, kids activities and more. Admission is free.
• The Honolulu International Bed Race, a benefit for organizations that include the Jan Brenner Foundation, Adult Friends for Youth, Men of War Youth Ministries, Honolulu Zoological Society and Kidz 4 Life Team, pushes off 2-6 p.m. today on Kalakaua Avenue. It's free for observers: Cheer on your favorites as they race for the finish line and compete for prizes.
• "Kulia I Na Hoku (Reaching for the Stars)" — 7:30-9 p.m. today — celebrates the 75th anniversary of the famous Royal Hawaiian Hotel with performances by Na Hoku Hanohano winners and Merrie Monarch Festival winners. The concert, in the hotel's Monarch Room, features Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, Marlene Sai, Melveen Leed, Tony Conjugacion, Brickwood Galuteria and Ernie Cruz Jr.; and the halau of Olana and Howard Ai, Chinky Mahoe and the late Paleka Leina'ala Mattos. Tickets are $45 ($5 discount with Aloha Festivals ribbon), and include one drink.
And mark your calendars for next week's Waikiki Ho'olaule'a (7-10:30 p.m. Friday) along Kalakaua Avenue with 11 stages of entertainment, food booths, crafters and much revelry in the streets. Admission is free. 589-1771
On the Big Island
• The 11th annual Sam Choy Poke Contest begins at 11 a.m. tomorrow at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. Professional and regular-joe chefs will try to come up with the ultimate in that favorite island morsel, poke. Admission is free with an Aloha Festivals ribbon.
There's a concert, too, 8 p.m. today at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel ballroom. It features 'Ale'a, the Lim Family, Harold Kama Jr. and Darlene Ahuna. Tickets are $30. (808) 880-1111.
