The late Clyde "Kindy" Sproat and 2008 winner Jeff Keanaaina.

MEDIA RELEASE

KOHALA COAST—A grand Holokū Ball highlights a three-day celebration of Hawaii’s Big Island culture at Waikoloa Beach Resort, “the gathering place of the Kohala Coast,” September 4-6, 2009. Hawaiian Cultural Weekend celebrates our unique history, music and cuisine with creative, “only-in-Hawaii” events, designed to delight audiences of all ages.

New this year, the Holokū Ball 2009 is an opulent dinner-dance on Saturday, September 5 with entertainment by Na Hōkū Hanohano Award-winner Weldon Kekauoha. The holokū is a long, flowing mu‘uumu‘u, usually with a train. Fashioned after missionary-style “Mother Hubbard” dresses in the 19th Century, Hawaii’s elegant version is most often made of colorful prints and beautiful tropical fabrics. Guests are invited to dress in their finest aloha attire and enjoy dining and dancing fit for royalty. Tickets are $75 per person for dinner and dancing, and proceeds directly benefit the Waikoloa Foundation. Please call 886-8822.

The Hawaiian Cultural Weekend begins Friday, September 4, with the Ms. Aloha Nui Gala in the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa Naupaka Ballroom. The usually sold-out pageant is an audience favorite where big, beautiful Big Island wahine (200+ lbs) take the stage and exemplify “Aloha Spirit” with graciousness, beauty and talent. This year’s contestants will assisted by Salon 808, Princess Kaiulani Fashions and Tiffany & Co., to makes sure every lady feels like queen for a day. Doors open 6:00 p.m., pageant begins 7:00 p.m. For information, call Leiola Mitchell, 896-3798.

On Saturday, September 5 at 11:00 a.m., “Hawaii’s Soul Food” is in the spotlight during the Great Waikoloa Poke Contest. In Hawaiian, poke (pronounced “po-keh”) means to cut or dice. As a side dish, poke is a delicious mix of bite-sized pieces of usually-raw fish or seafood and almost unlimited ingredients from secret family recipes and creative chefs’ imaginations. At the contest in the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa Naupaka Ballroom, poke-fans enjoy a fun (and filling) celebration as well as a chance to taste the entries. Professional chefs from favorite Big Island restaurants—and home cooks in a separate division—battle it out for the title, cash and prizes. Please call Linda Pokipala, 937-4896 for information.

The Clyde “Kindy” Sproat Falsetto & Storytelling Contest takes place Sunday, September 6 at 2:00 p.m. in the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa Naupaka Ballroom. This year’s event promises to be a very special one as some of the Big Island’s best male singers, in youth and adult divisions, share songs and stories from the heart. The afternoon of great music pays tribute to sweet-voice falsetto singer and musician “Uncle Kindy” who contributed so much to Hawaiian music in his lifetime. For information, call Pua Garmon, 345-8575.

Hawaiian Cultural Weekend is produced in cooperation with Hawaii Island Festival-30 Days of Aloha. Tickets to each of the three contests are $7 at the door with Hawaii Island Festival Ribbon ($5), or $5 advance purchase with Ribbon. Ribbons and Contest tickets are available at Queens’ MarketPlace second floor office, or by calling 896-3798.

Tickets to the Holokū Ball 2009 are $75 for dinner and dancing, and proceeds benefit the Waikoloa Foundation. For more information visit Queens’ MarketPlace second-floor office, call 886-8822 or see www.WaikoloaBeachResort.com

WAIKOLOA BEACH RESORT HAWAIIAN CULTURAL WEEKEND

• Friday, Sept. 4—Ms. Aloha Nui Gala, 7:00 p.m., (Ms. Aloha Nui information, Leiola Mitchell, 896-3798).*
• Saturday, Sept. 5—Great Waikoloa Poke Contest, 11:00 a.m., (Poke Contest information, Linda Pokipala, 937-4896).*
• Saturday, Sept. 5—HolokÅ« Ball 2009, 6:00 p.m., Hilton Waikoloa Village Grand Ballroom. Tickets $75 per person include dinner and dancing, a benefit for the Waikoloa Foundation. Fabulous entertainment by Na HōkÅ« Hanohano Award-winner Weldon Kekauoha. Please call 886-8822.
• Sunday, Sept. 6—Clyde “Kindy” Sproat Falsetto & Storytelling Contest, 2:00 p.m. (Falsetto Contest information, Pua Garmon, 345-8575).*

*Contests take place at Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa Naupaka Ballroom, Tickets for each contest are $7 at the door with Hawaii Island Festival Ribbon, or $5 pre-sale with Ribbon. For contest tickets and ribbons, please call 896-3798 or visit Queens’ MarketPlace second floor office.