The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Parks & Recreation announces the He Haliʻa Aloha No Liliʻuokalani Festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Hilo’s Liliʻuokalani Gardens Park.
“We're excited to carry on the tradition of celebrating Hawaiʻi’s queen and the rich history of our island home,” said Mayor Mitch Roth. “These events, free to our community, provide safe spaces where we can come together to enjoy fun, culture, and connection. We extend our deepest gratitude to our partners for their unwavering collaboration in making this possible each year, and to our dedicated team in the Culture and Arts Division.”
The festival, which celebrates the Queen’s birthday and pays tribute to the historical significance of Lili‘uokalani Gardens, will include music, hula, arts, crafts, food, demonstrations, children’s games, and cultural activities. Hundreds of dancers will perform a mass hula as floral blossoms are dropped from a helicopter provided by the Hawaiʻi County Fire Department. Darlene Ahuna, Taishoji Taiko, Just Us Band, and Ben Kaili & Kanakapila will provide entertainment throughout the day.
Overflow public parking will be available at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium parking lot, and HCEOC (Hawaiʻi County Economic Opportunity Council) will provide free shuttle services to the festival. Lihiwai Street, from Banyan Drive to Isles, will be closed to vehicular traffic from 10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, through 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7.
In partnership with the County of Hawai‘i, and adding to the day’s activities to honor the Queen’s birthday, The Grand Naniloa Resort will have live entertainment at the Hula Lounge Lobby Bar. The entertainment, featuring Hawaiian music and hula performance, begins at 12 p.m. and continues into the evening. The festival shuttle route will include service between The Grand Naniloa (curbside at Banyan Drive) and Lili‘uokalani Gardens Tea House.
The County of Hawaiʻi invites the public to attend this alcohol-, drug- and litter-free event coordinated in collaboration with private enterprises, community organizations, and numerous government agencies.
On behalf of the County of Hawaiʻi, we thank the Friends of Liliʻuokalani Gardens and the many private, public, and community entities and individuals that worked cooperatively to present this annual celebration in honor of Queen Liliʻuokalani.
More information may be obtained by calling the Department of Parks & Recreation’s Culture & Education Division at (808) 961-8706.
