Come celebrate the 24th Annual Queen Liliʻuokalani Festival in Hilo

The He Haliʻa Aloha No Liliʻuokalani Festival, celebrating the birthday of Hawai‘i’s last reigning monarch, will take place on Saturday.

The free festival will be held Liliʻuokalani Gardens Park, located at 189 Lihiwai St. #151 in Hilo, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The festival will pay tribute to the historical significance of the gardens. Those coming to the park can expect 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 & Kanakapila will provide entertainment throughout the day.

The Grand Naniloa Resort will also host events starting with a Pop-Up Mākeke at 10 a.m.  Live entertainment will start at noon and will continue into the evening, featuring Hawaiian music, hula. Other activities will consist of immersive cultural displays, including hula implements and lei hulu.

More information may be obtained by calling the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Culture and Education Division at 808-961-8706.

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 Sept. 8 through 6 p.m. on Sept. 9.