Hawaii County announces 24th annual Queen Lili‘uokalani Festival

The County of Hawaii Department of Parks and Recreation announces the He Hali‘a Aloha No Lili‘uokalani Festival to be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9 in Hilo’s Lili‘uokalani Park and Gardens.

The festival, which celebrates the queen’s birthday and pays tribute to the historical significance of Lili‘uokalani Gardens, will include music, hula, arts, crafts, food, demonstrations, children’s games and cultural activities. Hundreds of dancers will perform a mass hula as floral blossoms are dropped from a helicopter provided by Paradise Helicopters. Darlene Ahuna, Taishoji Taiko, Just Us Band, Christy Lassiter, and Ben Kaili and Kanakapila will provide entertainment throughout the day.

Additional public parking will be available at the Kuawa Street Park parking lot, and KapohoKine Adventures will provide free shuttle services to the festival. Lihiwai Street, from Banyan Drive to Isles, will be closed to vehicular traffic Friday, Sept. 8, through 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9.

In partnership with the County of Hawaii and adding to the day’s activities to honor the queen’s birthday, The Grand Naniloa Resort will also host events starting with a Pop-Up Makeke at 10 a.m. Live entertainment will start at 12 p.m. and continue into the evening, featuring Hawaiian music and hula. Other activities will consist of immersive cultural displays, including hula implements and lei hulu.

The County of Hawaii invites the public to attend this alcohol-, drug- and litter-free event coordinated in collaboration with private enterprises, community organizations and numerous government agencies.

For more information, call the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Culture &Education Division at (808) 961-8706.