WEST MAUI – Festivals of Aloha-Maui Nui Style will be celebrated on Maui this month.

On Sept 16-17, a ho’olaule’a will be held in Banyan Tree Park in Lahaina, featuring live entertainment, crafters and artisans both days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The 16th annual Richard Ho’opi’i Leo Ki’eki’e Falsetto Contest will be held in the Kanahele Room at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel on Saturday, Sept. 16. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the contest begins at 6:30 p.m.

This competition showcases Maui’s finest amateur male falsetto performers. Contestants belt their most exquisite high-register voices in an art form dating back to a time when Hawaiian women were forbidden to sing publicly. Special surprise guests will perform as well.

On Friday, Sept. 22, celebrate Aloha Friday at Queen Ka’ahumanu Center with Hawaiian cultural practitioners sharing their art with music and hula from 6 to 8 p.m.

The 2017 Festivals of Aloha theme is “Aloha ka Ho’i a ka Holokahiki” – Beloved is the sailors return home. Maui is joining in the celebration of the return of Hokule’a and Hikianalia, the Polynesian voyaging canoes that sailed across Earth’s oceans.

For the latest information and schedule of events, go to www.festivalsofaloha.com.

Official Festivals of Aloha, Maui Nui Style ribbons are $5 each and may provide discounted admission to many events. For information on purchasing a button, call Tina Thompson at (808) 268-9285.

For overall event information, contact Maui Manager Daryl Fujiwara at sfdhawaii@gmail.com.