Ho'olaule'a is here

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Meet the O'ahu ali'i — the Royal Court of this year's Aloha Festivals: prince Gerred Kawehe O Keao O Ainahau Wago, king John Kalei Laimana Jr., queen Wanda Kehaulani Kamauoha, and princess Davida Ilimamaekealoha Kupau. Downtown Ho'olaule'a 6:30-10 p.m. today Bishop Street, between Beretania Street and Nimitz Highway Free, but the purchase of a $5 Aloha Festivals ribbon is recommended Also: Festival opening ceremony, 5:30 p.m. today, at 'Iolani Palace; the O'ahu Royal Court, dressed in royal garment, will make its annual procession to Tamarind Park on Bishop Street, to herald the start of Aloha Festivals signature celebrations

And 200,000 for next Friday's Waikiki Ho'olaule'a on Kalakaua Avenue.

"We feel that anyone who wants to come will find a way," said Janet Hyrne, Aloha Festivals executive director. "We're optimistic the bus strike will be settled before the kick-off of our ho'olaule'a, but if it continues, the strike may affect the visitors' ability to move from one place to another. Still, it's the type of event where you'll find your way over."

Both ho'olaule'a events are modestly condensed this year, not because of the strike. Mostly, the scale-back means a better concentration of the festivities and ease of access, for performers and spectators. Organizers hope that less will be more — a little elbow room between stages, less dashing from one stage to another.

"It's kind of crazy right now," said Hyrne, as the countdown was under way. Besides the Downtown Ho'olaule'a, Aloha Festivals' other signature event, the Floral Parade, snakes from Ala Moana to Monsarrat Avenue Saturday.

What's the new twinkle in this year's celebration?

A royal blinkie, for starters.

To add a little brightness to the Downtown Ho'olaule'a, a $5 keepsake blinking pin, featuring the festival's familiar warrior-head icon, will be offered for the first time. The flashing pin is an extra adornment for serious festival boosters, she said, since the "official" Aloha Festival ribbon, with a pin and the companion ribbon, still is considered the "ticket" to show support for the celebration. The ribbon pin is square, sporting a watercolor image by Mapuana Schneider.

"The blinkies blink red — very mesmerizing," Hyrne said. If you can't make it to tonight's street party, you can pick one up at Hilo Hattie's locations, though supplies are limited. The festival ordered only 2,000 of the new buttons to test their appeal. But the usual souvenirs — T-shirts, tank-tops, caps — are still available, with proceeds benefiting the Aloha Festivals.

In recent years, the Downtown Ho'olaule'a included Aloha Tower Marketplace as part of its street party. This year, the music stages and food concessions will only be along Bishop Street, between Beretania Street and Nimitz Highway, eliminating foot traffic across the busy Nimitz corridor.

There will be four music stages this year, two fewer than in previous years, but the reduction should give more folks more time at each site. Events that formerly were staged at Aloha Tower Marketplace — such as the keiki fun attraction — are being moved onto Bishop.

A central stage, at the Financial Plaza, will showcase the finals of the Island Idols competition, at 8 p.m. today. Preliminaries were held at the Bank of Hawaii plaza earlier, for the downtown work crowd.

The winner will receive a $1,000 Bank of Hawaii savings account, an opportunity to record a CD, and a trip for two to Los Angeles and an "American Idol" TV show visit, with travel and hotel accommodations.

Saturday's parade, expected to field nearly 80 units, will run its usual course, from the 'ewa end of Ala Moana Park to Kapi'olani Park, with a range of participating talent, including international cloggers — a group of 200 dancers who will march and perform, Riverdance style, along the route. A Japanese enka (a singing style) star, Kiyoshi Hikawa, will ride on the Starwood Resorts float that will reflect the Aloha Festivals theme, E Mau Ana Ka Hula I Ke Kanaka (Hula Lives Through Its People). Dancers from Japan will enhance his periodic vocals along the route.

"The Starwood float will showcase hula, past and present, and indicate how vastly hula has grown in other countries," Hyrne said.

For the first time, parade winners will receive their awards in post-parade ceremonies at the Kapi'olani Park bandstand. In the past, the awards to equestrian units and floats were handed out a day later from various venues.

Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, fax 525-8055 or wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.

Pa'u group represents Islands' ethnicities

Jim Lee was among the riders with Hoaloha Anuenue Hololio (A Rainbow of Friends Who Ride Together) in an earlier Aloha Festivals floral parade. Hololio enters 16 riders in tomorrow's parade.

The Aloha Festivals Floral Parade makes its annual journey Saturday from Ala Moana to Monsarrat Avenue. The parade's talent will range from international cloggers to a Japanese singing star. Advertiser library photo

Floral parade 9:30 a.m.-noon Saturday On a route starting from the 'ewa entrance of Ala Moana Park on Ala Moana to Kalakaua Avenue and finishing at Kapi'olani Park on Monsarrat Avenue Free, but a $5 Aloha Festivals ribbon purchase is recommended

The group Hoaloha Anuenue Hololio (A Rainbow of Friends Who Ride Together) has been a regular participant in the annual parade, as well as the one marking Kamehameha Day every June.

Henry Ramirez, known in the community as Hanalei (and whose real job is proprietor of Salon 808, where he specializes in hair and makeup), has been coordinating a Hoaloha Anuenue Hololio unit for years. While there are numerous pa'u riders every year, his group is the largest unified effort annually.

How did he get started?

"My family is from the Big Island and was in charge of King Kamehameha riders," said Hanalei. "When someone rides, the whole family goes down to kokua."

Hanalei used to ride in parades during the 1970s. Now he mostly trains and coordinates rider groups. If asked, he assembles riders for organizations such as the Honolulu Police Department and the Kamehameha Schools trustees.

"We'll have 16 riders — 10 women and six men — this year," said Hanalei. "I always try to recruit new people, to perpetuate the tradition. Our organization tries to represent the ethnic backgrounds of Hawai'i, and with this year's festival theme dealing with hula, we're a good match."

The Aloha Festivals 2003 theme is E Mau Ana Ka Hula I Ke Kanaka (Hula Lives Through Its People).

Maria Barnes-Pacarro, a member of Kimo Alama's halau, is a first-timer as a pa'u rider with Hololio. "This private mounted unit has won awards and accolades in previous parades," she said. "Because I'm a hula dancer, too, it's an exciting adventure."

It's also a process of commitment and a learning experience, said Hanalei. In enlisting riders, Hanalei said, a love of horses is essential. "The riders who love horses often buy and own their own," he said. "Then culture comes next. We train riders in lei-making, flower selection, and so on. It's a good full year of training."

Maintaining a riding unit in any parade isn't cheap.

"It costs $500 to rent a horse," said Hanalei. "Many of our riders own their own. But we do some fundraising, too."

Hanalei, who normally tends to salon needs of women, said pa'u training adds another dimension in his life. "My forte is the hair and makeup, so the pa'u rider thing provides a nice balance," he said.

Stage-by-stage list of entertainment at tonight's Downtown Ho'olaule'a

1 — Aloha Festivals/KGMZ 107.9 Oldies, at Dillingham Transportation Building

• 6:30-7:10 p.m. — Pacific Fleet Navy Band
• 7:20-8 p.m. — Air Force Band of the Pacific Hana Hou
• 8:10-8:50 p.m. — Army Tropic Lightning Rock Band
• 9-9:50 p.m. — Marine Forces Pacific Show Band

2 — KLHT, at Davies Pacific Center

• 6:30-6:35 p.m. — Opening, welcome
• 6:35-7:05 p.m. — To be announced
• 7:10-7:20 p.m. — Generation Saved Drama Team
• 7:25-8 p.m. — Paka Smith
• 8:05-8:15 p.m. — Calvary Chapel of Honolulu Hula Team
• 8:20-8:55 p.m. — Devotion
• 9-9:15 p.m. — Generation Saved Drama Team
• 9:20-9:55 p.m. — Seven Simple Pieces

3 — Bank of Hawai'i and American Express/KCCN FM 100, at Financial Plaza of the Pacific

• 4:15-6 p.m. — Pre-event festivities
• 6:15-7 p.m. — Keahiwai
• 7:15-7:45 p.m — The Next Generation
• 8-8:30 p.m. — Island Idols contestants
• 8:45-9:10 p.m. — Ho'onu'a
• 9:20-9:55 p.m. — Sean Na'auao

4 — Mayor's Office of Culture and Arts/Krater 96.3, at Bishop Square

• 6-6:20 p.m. — The Ladies of Halau Ka Waikahe Lani Malie and the Men of Kahulaliwai, kumu hula Blaine Kia
• 6:20-6:30 p.m. — Royal Court appearance
• 6:30-6:50 p.m. — More hula by Kia's halau
• 7-7:50 p.m. — Bruce Shimabukuro and Friends
• 8-8:50 p.m. — 'Ale'a
• 9-9:55 p.m. — Kapena

10 tips to survive Downtown Ho'olaule'a and/or floral parade

• Arrive early. You'll get the best parking options — whether on the street or in discounted garages.
• Think comfort. Wear walking shoes and comfy clothes.
• Consider stroller safety. If you have a toddler who will ride in a stroller, be aware that throngs can be elbow-to-elbow deep, which could create safety concerns.
• Carry an umbrella. Mauka showers may come and go swiftly, without notice.
• Bring a flashlight (for ho'olaule'a). Your trek back to your parking spot may include dark corridors.
• Remember sunscreen (for the parade). Three hours in the sun could take its toll; a cap or hat and sunglasses might be sensible.
• Bring a camera and extra film. Those Kodak moments will be abundant.
• Don't forget cash. You might get hungry; you might want to buy a souvenir.
• Bring bottled water. Night or day, you'll get thirsty; it will be cheaper than buying from concessions or shops.
• Buy an Aloha Festivals ribbon. It supports the annual celebration — and you can wear it throughout next week and at next Friday's Waikiki Ho'olaule'a.