27-05-2025
Aloha Festivals 2025 to honor Hawaiian culinary traditions
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The annual Aloha Festivals is set to make its return to the island, with their 2025 theme celebrating the ʻāina's culinary traditions.
'Ko Kula Uka, Ko Kula Kai — Those of the Upland, Those of the Shore: Mauka to Makai,' is the theme for the annual celebration and is inspired by an ʻōlelo noʻeau, or Hawaiian proverb. The theme is intended to celebrate the impactful relationship between people and food, emphasizing how food strengthens community and Hawaiian culture.
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Through Hawaiʻi's history, those who lived in the uplands would offer crops such as taro to those who lived along the shore in exchange for fish. These exchanges weren't just the trading of food, but signified a kinship built on mutual aid and abundance.
In modern times, the passing down of family recipes that become cherished heirlooms represent similar values of culinary-based kinship.
For 2025, Aloha Festivals aims to return to the heart of the home: the kitchen.'For Aloha Festivals 2025, we honor the farmers, fishermen, chefs, home cooks and organizations who keep Hawaiʻi fed,' said Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, co-chair of Aloha Festivals. 'This theme reminds us that food is not just nourishment — it is memory, tradition and how we mālama one another.'
The theme of Ko Kula Uka, Ko Kula Kai will be ingrained into all three of the festival's events, from ceremonial chants to food vendors and performances. Parade floats in the Floral Parade, which is in its 77th year, will be decorated with floral designs dedicated to the people and food of the islands.
The schedule of Aloha Festivals 2025 events will be as follows:
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Royal Court Investiture and Opening Ceremony, Sept. 6 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at The Royal Hawaiian
The Royal Court Investiture and Opening Ceremony marks the beginning of the month-long Aloha Festivals tradition, beginning at Helumoa Gardens at The Royal Hawaiian.
The Royal Court Investiture honors Hawaiʻi's aliʻi. Following the Investiture, the Opening Ceremony will take place at the adjacent Royal Hawaiian Center. Hulu and mele will be performed to honor the royal legacy of the islands.
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71st Annual Waikīkī Hoʻolauleʻa, Sept. 20 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Kalākaua Avenue
Hawaiʻi's premier block party is a large part of Aloha Festivals, which will feature craft and cuisine vendors. The event will display over 100 booths, as well as entertainment stages.
77th Annual Floral Parade presented by ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach, Sept. 27 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The annual Floral Parade will mark the end of Aloha Festivals, with a procession of floats and more parading through the streets of Waikīkī. The floats will be adorned with fresh flowers and feature horseback riders, marching bands and more.
The parade will be from Ala Moana Beach Park through Kalākaua Avenue to Kapiʻolani Park.
For more information on the Aloha Festivals, visit their website.
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