Aloha Festivals 2024: 76th Annual Waikiki Hoʻolauleʻa Parade Fills Kalakaua Avenue

Vibrant Blooms: 76th Aloha Festivals Floral Parade Lights Up Waikiki

HONOLULU – Kalakaua Avenue was alive with excitement on Saturday morning as crowds gathered for the 76th annual Waikiki Hoʻolauleʻa, a highlight of the Aloha Festivals. Since its inception in 1946, the Aloha Festivals have honored Hawaiian culture through music, dance, and cherished traditions.

This year’s theme, ʻAʻa I Ka Hula, inspired the design of each float, showcasing the beauty and significance of hula in Hawaiian culture. The parade journeyed from Ala Moana Beach Park, down Kalakaua Avenue, and concluded at Kapiolani Park, drawing spectators from across the islands and beyond.

Each September the annual event kicks off with a Hawaiian Royal Court Investiture and Opening Ceremony that recreates traditional cultural protocols. Donning regalia reserved for high-ranking royalty, new court members are selected each year and are honored as representatives of Hawai’i aliʻi (ruling chiefs). The Royal Court connects the festival to cherished Hawaiian traditions. After the Investiture, the ceremony will include hula and musical performances, creating a special evening in Waikīkī.

Another dynamic feature of the festival month is the Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a – Hawai‘i’s largest block party, where Kalākaua Avenue is lined with booths offering Hawaiian cuisine, crafts, and cultural displays. Attendees can enjoy local flavors and browse artisan-made crafts. Multiple stages will feature live entertainment, including performances by top local artists and award-winning hālau hula, creating an unforgettable evening.

The Annual Floral Parade marks the end of Aloha Festivals with a vibrant display of Hawaiian culture through Waikīkī. The parade features intricately decorated flower floats crafted during countless hours by volunteers. , pāʻū riders on horseback, the 2024 Royal Court, marching bands, hālau hula, and civic leaders, all showcasing Hawai‘i’s aloha spirit. Attendees can sit near grandstands at locations like Ala Moana Park, Prince Waikiki, and the Royal Hawaiian Center for narrated views of the parade. Viewers at home can watch the parade via the official broadcast and livestream presented by KHON.

As the largest Hawaiian cultural celebration in the United States, the Aloha Festival continues to be a beacon of Hawaiian heritage and pride.

For more details on the parade and other Aloha Festivals events, click here.

by Honolulu Vibes