The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua will host the 25th annual Celebration of the Arts on April 14-16. The festival gives visitors and locals the opportunity to experience authentic Hawaiian culture through hands-on art demonstrations, informative speaker panels, historic films, cultural panels, and traditional music and dance. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE RITZ-CARLTON, KAPALUA.

KAPALUA – Returning to the resort for the 25th consecutive year, The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua will convene esteemed Hawaii artisans, educators, cultural practitioners, speakers and entertainers from April 14-16 during the annual Celebration of the Arts festival.

The theme for the 2017 event is “Wahi Mahalo… A Universal Thank You” in honor of this milestone anniversary.

A quarter-of-a-century later, this highly anticipated festival allows both visitors and locals the opportunity to experience authentic Hawaiian culture through various activities, including hands-on art demonstrations, informative speaker panels, historic films, cultural panels and traditional music and dance.

Nestled in one of Hawaii’s largest nature preserves, Kapalua Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua proudly maintains the Honokahua Preservation Site – a recognized “wahi pana” (sacred site) that lies adjacent to the resort and serves as a destination where Native Hawaiians gather to conduct ceremonial rituals and honor their ancestors.

Upon the resort’s opening 25 years ago, The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua brought on the first cultural advisor to The Ritz-Carlton brand, Clifford Nae’ole, who co-created the Celebration of the Arts festival to further enrich and educate guests and locals about the resort’s deep Hawaiian cultural roots and historical surroundings.

Throughout the weekend, festival participants will enjoy traditional Hawaiian oli (chants), music, hula, cultural ceremonies and impromptu performances that reflect upon the spirit of aloha that the islands are known for. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE RITZ-CARLTON, KAPALUA.

“I’ve had the pleasure of watching the Celebration of the Arts festival grow and evolve over the past 25 years since its inception in 1992,” said Nae’ole.

“Now, a quarter-century later, we are proud to be able to continue to honor our Native Hawaiian culture and instill that same appreciation and respect in our resort guests and island locals.”

The “Celebration of Island Tastes” will culminate the weekend festivities, bringing together the foods of traditional Hawaii and the contemporary cuisine of local families.

For more information on Celebration of the Arts and additional 25th anniversary events, visit www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/kapalua-maui/hotel-overview/25th-anniversary/25th- anniversary-events.

For more information, call 669-6200 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/kapalua.