HAWAII ISLAND FESTIVAL – 30 DAYS OF ALOHA PERPETUATING THE CULTURAL TRADITIONS AND ALOHA SPIRIT OF HAWAII

A Festival with years of tradition and a new name - the Hawaii Island Festival – 30 Days of Aloha, once known as Aloha Festivals, has a new approach and a strong commitment to sharing the island's aloha with residents and visitors alike. After a long affiliation under the umbrella of Aloha Festivals Honolulu, Hawaii Island is now leading the way and invites island business and residents to rally around a newly formed committee to continue offering signature island events.
Spearheading the events for 2008 are Moani Akana, co-chair and Paniolo Parade chair Linda Pokipala, co-chair; Ho‘olaule‘a Food chair, Pua Garmon, Falsetto chair, Leiola Mitchell, Aloha Nui chair, Lorna Akima, Ho‘olaule‘a Vendor chair, "K.K." Kaniho, Court Director, Doreen, Rosie & Daviann Kama, Royal Court Wardrobe and Patti Cook, Lorraine Inouye, Diane Quitiquit, Sharon Sakai, George Applegate, Bob Lindsey, Gloriann Akau & Gene Erger, advisors.
Waikoloa Beach Resort has stepped forward as the new sponsors of Ms. Aloha Nui, Kindy Sproat Falsetto & the Poke Contests. Expect to see local celebrities and famous Hawaii clothiers partnering with these signature island events.
The committee is grateful for the support of the County of Hawaii, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Waikoloa Beach Resort and Big Island Visitors Bureau for its belief in Hawaii Island Festival – 30 Days of Aloha as they carry out their mission statement: perpetuating the cultural traditions and aloha spirit of Hawai‘i.
Hawaii Island Festival is also pleased to be working in partnership with the County of Hawaii, Big Island Resource Conservation & Development Council, North Hawaii Rotary Club, HTA, Big Island Visitors Bureau and the Richard Smart Trust "Ho‘ohui o Waimea Grant:"
For more information contact Moani Akana at (808) 885-3110 or Linda Pokipala at (808) 885-9259.

HAWAII ISLAND FESTIVAL – "30 DAYS OF ALOHA" SCHEDULE:

• Saturday, August 30, Royal Court Investiture, Pu‘uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park.
• Saturday, August 30, Volcano Art Center, Hula Kahiko, pa hula site, 10:30-11:30 am; www.volcanoartcenter.org.
• Sunday, August 31, Malama Punalu‘u Festival; 10am-6:30pm; www.malamapunaluu.org.
• Friday, September 5, Ms. Aloha Nui Contest, Waikoloa Beach Resort.
• Saturday, September 6, 12noon-6pm, Great Waikoloa Ho‘olaule‘a, Queens' Marketplace, FREE.
• Saturday, September 6, Kindy Sproat Falsetto & Storytelling Contest, Waikoloa Beach Resort.
• Sunday, September 7, Poke Contest, the Studio, Queens' MarketPlace.
• Saturday, September 13, 10am-4pm, Waimea Paniolo Parade & Ho‘olaule‘a, FREE.
• Friday, September 19, Hula Palua, Keauhou Beach Hotel on Ali‘i Drive.
• Wednesday & Thursday, September 25-25, Kupuna Hula Fest, Keauhou Resort.
• Saturday, September 27, Hilo's KWXX Ho‘olaule‘a, 4:40-10pm, Downtown Hilo, FREE.
• Sunday, September 28, Queen Liliuokalani Festival, Liliuokalani Park, Iwalani Kalima, ph: (808) 895-6232, FREE.

For more information contact Moani Akana at (808) 885-3110 or Linda Pokipala at (808) 885-9259.

AMY B.H. GREENWELL ETHNOBOTANICAL GARDEN
This 12-acre garden supports Native Hawaiian cultural traditions of land use, grows plants used by Hawaiians including rare native plants, and preserves an archaeological remnant of the Kona Field System. It is open on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (admission by donation) and charges for tours at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. On the second Saturday of each month, a FREE (donations encouraged) 90-minute, half-mile tour is offered at 10:00 a.m. Located at 82-6188 Mamalahoa Hwy (Hwy 11), 12 miles south of Kailua-Kona at mile marker 110. Call (808) 323-3318.

KAILUA WALKING TOUR
The Kona Historical Society’s “Historic Kailua Village Walking Tour” is a leisurely paced 75-minute stroll through one of the most historic sites in the state. The tour visits King Kamehameha’s last seat of government, a restored temple, the first Christian church in Hawai‘i, Hulihe‘e Palace, the first destination resort in West Hawai‘i, and the site where Kona’s cattle were shipped. The tour is available daily, usually at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Reservations are requested 24 hours in advance and a minimum of three people is required to schedule a tour. For information, call (808) 323-3222. $.

PHOTOS FROM THE TOP OF HAWAI‘I
Who said there’s no snow in Hawai‘i? Actually there are three places that are high enough to get some snowflakes–Haleakala on Maui and Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island–but not every year. Photographer Wayne Shinbara took a cold ride up to Mauna Kea last January, after most of the snow from a winter storm had melted. A few people were seen skiing and snowboarding earlier in the month.

PACIFIC TSUNAMI MUSEUM
See and hear what happened when tsunamis hit the Big island. 130 Kamehameha Ave. in Hilo 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Mon.-Sat. Adults $7, Seniors $6, Students $2, under 5 FREE. (808) 935-0926.

VOLCANO HOTLINE
Kilauea Volcano has been erupting since Jan. 3, 1983. When traveling to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park to see the volcano erupting, it is a good idea to check ahead by calling the National Park Service’s 24-hour hotline, (808) 985-6000. You will receive an update on the status and accessibility of any current volcanic activity, the safe and legal way to view it, weather and road conditions, and other park information. If the volcanic activity is in an area that is accessible to hikers, take sunscreen, a good hat, durable hiking shoes, lots of liquids, and a flashlight and warm clothing in case you're still on the trail after sunset. For safety reasons, there are no trails that lead directly to active lava flows. Please observe signs and warnings and seek advice from park rangers before heading out. Fresh lava, although it may look hard, is still brittle and VERY HOT underneath. The fumes created when the lava hits the sea contain toxic chemicals. Remember, the danger is real! There have been many accidents and several deaths of those who chose to ignore the warnings.

“THE ALOHA SHIRT”
The late Ellery J. Chun is credited as the creator of the aloha shirt. He began selling the colorful shirts from his family’s store in 1931, but it wasn't until 1936 that the name “Aloha Shirt” was used in advertising and trademarked.