Bridging dance and friendship, Japan and Hawai'i will celebrate "the legacy of hula" at the 8th annual Hula Ho'olauna Aloha July 11 to 12. The two-day weekend festival showcasing hula's rich culture and customs from both sides of the Pacific will feature an exhibition by local and Japanese halau beginning 10 a.m. Saturday at Ala Moana Center's centerstage. More than 20 groups from Japan will perform.

The festival continues with Japanese halau competing for the honor and title, "Hula Ho'olauna Aloha 2009," 3 to 6.45 p.m. Sunday at The Royal Hawaiian hotel. Seventy competitors are scheduled to take the stage, including six solo dancers and 10 hula halau.

Hawai'i's top kumu hula will judge the performances; the festival's cultural adviser is Kumu Kawaikapuokalani Hewett.

Seating at the hula competition is limited to halau, friends and family, and those with a valid Hawai'i ID.

www.hoolauna.com (Japanese-language Web site), 286-2178 (8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.).

WAIKIKI

CELEBRATE A BOUNTIFUL MANGO SEASON AT THE MOANA SURFRIDER

The telltale signs of Hawai'i's mango season are in every neighborhood, with this year promising a bumper crop. The Moana Surfrider has partnered with Makaha Mangoes, Share Your Table and The Honolulu Advertiser to launch its first Mangoes at the Moana event on Saturday. Free events in the Banyan Courtyard include:

• Moana Mango Recipe Contest, 9 to 11 a.m.: Chefs and home cooks may submit their recipes online for pre-judging by Advertiser food editor Wanda Adams; finalists will be invited to put their recipes to the test for celebrity judges. Submit entries at www.moana-surfrider.com/tasteofmangoes. Prizes include a two-night stay at the Moana Surfrider, dinner for two ($150 value) at Beachhouse at the Moana, and a spa treatment ($150 value) at the Moana Lani Spa, A Heavenly Spa by Westin.

• Mango Farmers Demo and Tastings, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Sample different mango varieties and learn how Hawai'i's farmers raise mango trees for the best results.

• Culinary Demonstration, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Beachhouse at the Moana: Chef de cuisine Rodney Uyehara from the Beachhouse at the Moana and Advertiser food editor Wanda Adams will share favorite recipes with samples (preview their video at www.shareyourtable.com, featuring Uyehara and Adams).

• Mango seminar, 11 a.m. to noon, Lanikai Room: Mark Suiso of Makaha Mangoes and garden columnist Heidi Bornhorst discuss how to cultivate a mango tree, the history of the mango and Island varieties.

• Lunch and afternoon tea, noon to 3 p.m., The Veranda.

Mangoes at the Moana is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 11, in the Banyan Courtyard, Moana Surfrider. 922-3111. Entertainment, and four-hour free parking at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani included with validation at the event.

Kama'aina Getaway Package: Moana Surfrider's kama'aina package includes 25 percent off the menu at the Beachhouse at the Moana, the Veranda and the Beach Bar; free self-parking, 2 p.m. check-in and check-out, mango smoothies for two (July 11-31), $40 discount per person for two people daily at Moana Lani Spa. Package is through July 31; $189 per room per night. 921-4640, request the KAMVIP rate.

Dining: The Mango Sunset cocktail and mango-inspired dinners will be available July 11 to 31 at Moana Surfrider's Beach Bar and Beachhouse at the Moana. 921-4600. www.moana-surfrider.com.