Partygoers will take to the areas streets, with dancing, entertainment, ethnic foods and Hawaiian arts and crafts, to celebrate Aloha Festivals. Entertainment stages, hula halau performances, Hawaiian food and international cuisine, as well as flower, shell and feather lei will be showcased.

"This year's Ho'olaule'a will mark its 55th anniversary" Charlian Wright, president of the Aloha Festivals, said in a news release.

"We encourage kama'aina and visitors alike to join us in this special celebration of aloha."

In 1947, Aloha Week was created as a public festival to honor the cosmopolitan heritage of Hawai'i through music, dance and history. The first Aloha Week was held during the fall as a modern-day makahiki, the ancient Hawaiian festival of music, dance, games and feasting.

By 1974, Aloha Week expanded to a month-long slate of activities, with events on six islands.

In 1991, it was renamed Aloha Festivals to reflect the festival's expansion. While each island features a parade and ho'olaule'a, or block party, Aloha Festivals also showcases events that are unique to certain islands such as the Ms. Aloha Nui Contest on the Big Island honoring the large stature of island women.

Aloha Festivals is funded each year through the sale of Aloha Festival ribbons, merchandise, corporate and private donations and grants from the Hawai'i Tourism Authority and support from the counties of Maui, Hawai'i, Kaua'i and the City and County of Honolulu.