A colorful procession of horseback riders, performances and floats covered with Hawaiian flowers were part of the 73rd annual floral parade. (Photo courtesy: Aloha Festivals website)
Aloha Festivals is seeking applicants for its 2023 Royal Court and participants in the Annual Floral Parade to be held on Sept. 30. Applications are available at www.AlohaFestivals.com/Participate.
Hawai‘i residents of native Hawaiian ancestry are invited to apply for the 2023 Aloha Festivals Royal Court. The festival committee is seeking applicants for all positions on the court, including, Mō‘ī Kāne (King), Mō‘ī Wahine (Queen), Kamāli‘i Kāne (Prince), Kamāli‘i Wahine (Princess) and a variety of other attendant court positions.
The Royal Court is modeled after the Ali‘i courts of the past and will preside over all Aloha Festivals 2023 events. Participants have the special honor of perpetuating the royal legacy of the Hawaiian people.
The festival committee is seeking applicants for all positions on the Royal Court. (Photo courtesy: Aloha Festivals website)
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“The Royal Court is a foundational element of the Aloha Festivals,” said Debbie Nakanelua- Richards, co-chair of Aloha Festivals. “It provides a reminder to all who attend of the grandeur of Hawai‘i’s regal heritage, and connects each Aloha Festivals event to our people, culture, and history.”
The court will begin their reign at the Royal Court Investiture & Opening Ceremony on Sept. 9, 2023 with a ceremonial transfer of rule from the 2022 court to this year’s court members. The royal court will have a significant presence during Aloha Festivals’ various events throughout the month of September and their reign will extend until the succession of the next royal court in 2024.
In an effort to support the education of the next generation of native Hawaiians, Aloha Festivals will award scholarships for post-high school education to those selected to the Kamāli‘i Kāne and Kamāli‘i Wahine court positions. Kamāli‘i Kāne and Kamāli‘i Wahine applicants must be between 16-20 years of age, and Mō‘ī Kāne and Mō‘ī Wahine applicants must be 35 years of age or older.
The festival committee also is accepting applications for the 75th Annual Floral Parade presented by ‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach. On Sept. 30, the floral parade will march from the ‘Ewa Entrance of Ala Moana Regional Park, through Kalākaua Avenue, to Queen Kapi‘olani Regional Park.
“The Aloha Festivals Floral Parade embodies our vibrant culture in the islands, and it showcases the unity we share in the spirit of aloha,” said Sam Shenkus, co-chair of Aloha Festivals. “It is a remarkable showcase that brings together diverse communities and celebrates our traditions. We encourage local businesses and organizations to join us for the 75th annual parade.”
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Building on last year’s theme, Aloha ‘Āina, Aloha Festivals will continue to explore the integral relationship that all people have with the land with its 2023 theme Piliʻāina – to have kinship with the land. Pili means to have a personal connection to or close relationship with someone or something, and this theme will be reflected in the parade and throughout the Aloha Festivals events.
Applications are being accepted for a variety of parade participants including marching bands, floats, specialty cars, pāʻū equestrian units and specialty marching units. The deadline for these applications is Aug. 19.
The mission of Aloha Festivals is to foster the aloha spirit through the perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture and the celebration of the diverse customs and traditions of Hawai‘i. For more information about Aloha Festivals, visit www.AlohaFestivals.com.
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