Organizers of the Aloha Festivals, a statewide celebration, will once again offer an array of events to perpetuate the customs of Hawai'i.

The Aloha Festivals — themed "Na Honu Hawai'i" or "The Spirit Within" — illuminates the traditions that make Hawai'i special, said Leolani Kini, Aloha Festivals president.

We "are committed to infusing those events once again with the culture and meaning that make Aloha Festivals the ultimate expression of pride for Hawai'i and our heritage," she said.

Among the highlights this year are the falsetto contests (see details on Page 30), Kini said.

"If it is truly culture that you are seeking out, you must go to see the falsetto contests," she said. You'll "witness a beautiful art form that dates back to a time when women were forbidden to sing and male performers took their place by throwing their voices into the upper registers of the musical scale while singing stories of Hawaiian culture."

TODAY

The Waikiki Ho'olaule'a is expected to draw tens of thousands to food booths, lei booths, arts and crafts, and entertainment on nine stages along Kalakaua Avenue. The royal court arrives via catamaran at 5:45 p.m.

Ho'olaule'a hours are from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Free shuttles will take celebrants to and from Kapi'olani Community College's parking lot and the Waikiki Shell.

Here's the entertainment lineup:

Stage 1: Mayor's Office of Culture and Arts/BREEZE, at Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center at Lewers and Kalakaua Ave.

7 p.m. — Kapena

8 p.m. — Keali'ika'apuanihonua a'o Kaena

9 p.m. — Kenny Endo Taiko Drummers

Stage 2: The Festival Companies-Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center/KIKI I-94, at Seaside and Kalakaua Ave.

7 p.m. — Halau Hula O Pohai Kealoha

7:45 p.m. — Halau Hula O Maiki

8:45 p.m. — Hot Rain

9:45 p.m. — Natural Vibrations

Stage 3: Best Buy/KSSK, fronting Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, Building C (across from old Waikiki Theater)

7 p.m. — Backyard Pa'ina

8 p.m. — Kanalo

9 p.m. — Koa'uka

Stage 4: Outrigger Hotels in Hawaii/KUMU 94.7 (Lite), at Outrigger Waikiki

7 p.m. — Kumu hula Ainsley Halemanu

7:30 p.m. — Kalia

8 p.m. — Pilioha

8:40 p.m. — Te Vai Ura Nui (Tahitian performance)

9:20 p.m. — Raiatea Helm

Stage 5: Sheraton Hotels in Waikiki/KINE, at Sheraton Moana Surfrider

7 p.m. — Ka'ala Boys

8:15 p.m. — Sean Na'auao trio

9:15 p.m. — Tino & The Rhythm Klub

Stage 6: Hyatt Regency Waikiki/KRTR, at Hyatt Regency Waikiki (diamondhead end)

7 p.m. — Halau Na Mamo O Ka'ala

8 p.m. — Cory Oliveros

9 p.m. — Rubber Soul

Stage 7: Pacific Beach Hotel/KQMZ, at Pacific Beach Hotel

7 p.m. — Pacific Fleet Rock Band

8 p.m. — 25th Infantry Division Band

9 pm — Marine Corps Pacific Band

Stage 8: Hawaiian Airlines/KINE, at Waikiki Beach Marriott

7 p.m. —Na Maka O Pu'uwai Aloha

7:45 p.m. — 'Ale'a

8:45 p.m. — Aunty Genoa Keawe

9:45 p.m. — O'Brian Eselu and Ke Kai O Kahiki

Stage 9: ResortQuest Hawaii/KCCN FM 100, at ResortQuest Waikiki Beach Hotel

7 p.m. — Keiki hula

7:30 p.m. — Opihi Pickers

8:30 p.m. — Keahiwai

9:30 p.m. — to be announced

SEPT. 10

Pearlridge Center hosts a keiki ho'olaule'a, featuring activities, games and demonstrations, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Uptown and Downtown center court stages.

SEPT. 16

The Aloha Friday Downtown Mele (formerly known as the Downtown Ho'olaule'a) begins at 6 p.m. on Bishop Street. Contemporary Hawaiian entertainment and food booths will fill the streets.

SEPT. 17

The annual floral parade begins at 9 a.m. from Ala Moana Beach Park and ends at Kapi'olani Park. Participants include pa'u riders, floral floats, hula halau and marching bands.

SEPT. 23

Harry B. Soria and Karen Keawehawai'i host the annual Falsetto Contest, which begins at 7 p.m. at the Monarch Room of the Royal Hawaiian hotel. The event also will pay tribute to Mahi Beamer, the late Bill Ali'iloa Lincoln and the late Joe Keawe, who will be inducted in a newly launched Hawaiian Falsetto Hall of Fame. Tickets are $40 and $55. 921-4600.

Reach Zenaida Serrano at zserrano@honoluluadvertiser.com.