Wailea, HI (October 9, 2024) – Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea proudly announces the return of the Festivals of Aloha for its third year from October 25 to 27, 2024. The complimentary weekend of events invites guests and the community to celebrate Hawaiian heritage and traditions passed down through generations through a series of immersive cultural experiences, musical performances, and local artisan showcases.
Curated by the Resort’s Director of Hawaiian Programs, “Aunty Wendy” Tuivaioge, this year’s festival promises a weekend filled with enriching experiences designed to deepen guests’ connection to the authentic spirit of aloha. “The Festivals of Aloha offers a beautiful opportunity for everyone to engage with our culture. Each year, we build upon our traditions, and it fills my heart to share these experiences with both locals and visitors alike.” This year’s festivities will also be streamed live on mele.com, allowing those unable to attend in person to join in the celebration.
Presenting a rich tapestry of music, art, and storytelling that captures the essence of Maui’s time-honored traditions, the festival will kick off with a traditional Opening Ceremony by Kumu Kamaka Kukona on Friday, October 25, and will conclude with the much-anticipated Sounds of the Sea concert on Sunday, October 27, featuring an incredible lineup, including Lawakua and The Voice finalist, Kamalei Kawa’a, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Pacific Ocean.
On Saturday, October 26, guests will enjoy Hula is the Heartbeat, a celebration of Hawaiian music with mele by Keauhou and hula showcasing the largest lineup of hālau (hula schools) in the festival’s history, with performances from five of Maui’s most prestigious hālau:
Hālau Kamaluokaleihulu – Kumu Hula Kahulu Maluo-Pearson
Hālau Hula Kauluokalā – Kumu Hula Uluwehi Guerrero
Hālau o Ka Hanu Lehua – Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona
Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi – nā Kumu Hula ‘Iliahi and Haunani Paredes
Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka – Kumu Hula Napua Silva
Other highlights include the inaugural Carmen Hulu Lindsey Leo Ha‘iha‘i Falsetto Contest, Hawaii’s first female falsetto competition, debuting on the evening of October 25. Guests will also enjoy the Resort’s popular Live Aloha Market featuring 17 local vendors, a MANAOLA Hawaii Pop-up, a Cultural Garden Tour, and daily Hawaiian Practitioner Demonstrations and Presentations open for participation. Additionally on Saturday, October 26, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., attendees will have a rare opportunity to experience Moʻokiha O Pi’ilani, Lahaina’s voyaging canoe. Experts will share insights about this special wa’a (canoe) and guests can ride or paddle out to for a close-up look.
The full schedule of Festivals of Aloha events can be viewed here. Complimentary off-site parking with roundtrip shuttle service will be available at Wailea Event Parking, located across from Monkeypod off Wailea Ike Drive, on Friday, October 25, from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Saturday, October 26, from 4:30 to 10:30pm, and Sunday, October 27, from 4:30 to 9:30 pm.
As a key figure in the local community, the Resort continues to redefine mindful luxury travel by offering enriching experiences that invite guests to explore Maui’s unique cultural heritage. With Aunty Wendy’s deep passion and dedication leading the way, the Resort fosters a deeper connection to the island through immersive educational programs and activities.
The Festivals of Aloha is one of the many cultural and educational programs the Resort offers, including a fall Getaway experience, which features a variety of complimentary activities designed for guests of all kinds seeking meaningful ways to connect to the destination, including Hawaiian Star Stories, Coral Reefs 101, Botanical Block Printing, and more.
About Festivals of Aloha
Festivals of Aloha is Maui Nui’s premiere Hawaiian cultural showcase with events on Maui, Moloka’i, Lāna’i, Hāna and in Wailea. Its essence is in the enduring traditions of our charming small towns and revered kupuna (elders).
About Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
Maui’s iconic Forbes Five-Star resort is nestled on 15 acres of the breathtaking Wailea Coast. The 383-room oceanfront property is world-renowned for its comfortable opulence, impeccable service, luxurious amenities, and for living in harmony with its environment and community. The resort in Maui is also home to one of the nation’s top-rated spas committed to wellness and three of Hawai‘i’s most acclaimed restaurants—Ferraro’s Restaurant & Bar, Spago Maui, and DUO Steak and Seafood. This sophisticated home away from home caters to the needs and interests of all generations—offering world-class activities and one-of-a-kind Unforgettable Experiences, a museum quality art collection, three pools overlooking the azure-blue Pacific Ocean including an adults-only Serenity Pool with exclusive Missoni-designed cabanas, and more. Four Seasons Resort Maui, a Hawaiian vacation destination geared to action adventurers, those guests wishing to practice the fine art of doing nothing at all, and everyone in between. For more information, please visit https://www.fourseasons.com/maui/