Falsetto contest, Banyan Tree Ho‘olaule‘a slated during Festivals of Aloha

Joshua Kalima won the 2012 Richard Ho‘opi‘i Falsetto Contest.
WEST MAUI – The Maui community will celebrate Native Hawaiian culture in annual Festivals of Aloha, Maui Nui Style celebrations.
This year’s theme is “He Nui A Mano Ke Aloha” (What does Abundant Aloha look like to you?).
“The popular Festivals of Aloha event is hosted annually on the three islands of Maui Nui as a special time to celebrate Hawaiian heritage with royal pageantry, parades, street parties, concerts and family activities. All events are open to the public, and most are free,” noted Festivals of Aloha Maui Manager Daryl Fujiwara.
On Friday, Sept. 27, Queen Ka’ahumanu Center will host Aloha Friday festivities in partnership with Pacific Media Group. The event will feature homegrown activities such as keiki entertainment, cultural projects and educational demonstrations from 7 to 9 p.m.
Admission is free. Call Tina Thompson at 268-9285 for more information.
On Saturday, Sept. 28, the 12th annual Richard Ho’opi’i Falsetto Contest will be held in The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua’s Salon Ballroom from 6 to 10 p.m. A $5 Festivals of Aloha ribbon is required for entry.
This competition is a rich showcase of Hawaiian music tradition and Hawaiian language learning for falsetto contestants across the islands. The evening also includes cultural demonstrations, craft booths and keiki activities.
“One of the most anticipated events every year is the annual Richard Ho’opi’i Falsetto Contest held on Sept. 28, which showcases the exquisite, high registers of male falsetto performers singing Hawaiian falsetto,” Fujiwara explained.
“And festival goers don’t want to miss the exciting ho’olaule’a at historic Banyan Tree Park in Lahaina the next day.”
The Festivals of Aloha Ho’olaule’a returns on Sunday, Sept. 29, in Banyan Tree Park in Lahaina from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Entertainment includes 2013 Richard Ho’opi’i Falsetto Contest winners, crafters and artisans.
Festivals of Aloha, Maui Nui Style events are also slated in Hana; visit www.festivalsofaloha.com/ for information and the latest updates.
For more information, contact Fujiwara at 264-8779 or sfdhawaii@gmail .com, or Maui County Coordinator Yuki Lei Sugimura at 878-1888.
The Festivals of Aloha, Maui Nui Style is holding an Instagram Contest. Follow @sfdhawaii and use hashtag #FOA13#AbundantAloha. Take a photo and upload to Instagram exemplifying the 2013 theme of “He Nui A Mano Ke Aloha.” The winner will receive two inter-island hopper roundtrip tickets on Mokulele Airlines.
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua is offering a kama’aina special of $209 for the falsetto contest on Saturday. To book a room, call (800) 262-8440 and provide the promo code: ECEQ.