The Lahaina Banyan Tree Ho‘olaule‘a on Sept. 15-16 will feature live entertainment, crafters and artisans.

LAHAINA – With the 2018 theme of “E ulu mau i ke aloha ?’aina” (be ever inspired by the love of your land), Festivals of Aloha, Maui Nui Style events on Maui start this week.

The mission of the Festivals of Aloha is to honor Native Hawaiian culture and traditions from generation to generation, as well as share them with visitors and people from the community.

On Sept. 7, the Wailuku First Friday Festivals of Aloha Kickoff will be held on Market Street from 6 to 9 p.m., featuring Hawaiian musicians, crafts and food booths.

On Saturday, Sept. 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, the 17th annual Richard Ho’opi’i Leo Ki’eki’e Falsetto competition will showcase Hawaii’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 also perform.

Admission is $20; tickets are available via www.festivalsofaloha.com (click on “Falsetto Contest” at the top).

On Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15 and 16, the Lahaina Banyan Tree Ho’olaule’a will feature live entertainment, crafters and artisans in Banyan Tree Park in Lahaina from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

Aloha Friday at Queen Ka’ahumanu Center on Sept. 21 will feature Hawaiian cultural practitioners sharing their art with music and hula from 6 to 8 p.m.

Hana 2018 Festivals of Aloha includes a full slate of events from Oct. 6-13.

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.