MEDIA RELEASE

Kumu Hula Nalani Kanakaole for Sig Zane Designs premiers a new line of distinctive aloha wear for women with “Hoku Malama” an elegant brunch and fashion show, Sunday, Sept. 5 at the Hilton Waikoloa Village Monarchy Ballroom.

Part of Waikoloa Beach Resort’s 4th Annual Hawaiian Cultural Weekend and Hawaii Island Festivals 30 Days of Aloha, the show introduces “Hoku Malama” to the Big Island and the world with a fashion splash. The program includes music by Na Palapalai, 18-time Na Hoku Hanohano award-winners, and “magical” arrangers of traditional songs for today’s listeners, trendsetters in the falsetto style of hai hai.

In the early years, the “Hawaii Island Festival – 30 Days of Aloha” was a part of the statewide Aloha Festivals celebration, but in recent years has become a stand-alone Hawaii Island celebration organized and supported by Big Island businesses and residents with kokua from the Big Island Resource Conservation Development, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Waikoloa Beach Resort and others.

Residents and visitors are invited to help sustain the festival by purchasing and wearing keepsake ribbons. $5 ribbons are not required but recommended.

The Hawaiian Cultural Weekend and Hawaii Island Festival, carry on the longstanding tradition begun with “Aloha Week” in the 1950’s, celebrating Hawaii’s unique history, music, style and cuisine with a fun series of cultural events, designed to delight audiences of all ages.

The celebration kicks off with the big, beautiful Big Island pageantry of the Ms. Aloha Nui Gala on Friday, honoring women with “supersized” aloha, talent and grace.

On Saturday, it’s everybody’s favorite Poke Contest with tastings of “Hawaii’s Soul Food.” Home cooks and top chefs vie for the championship, mixing it up with inspired interpretation of the traditional snack made with bite-sized raw fish, creatively seasoned with worlds of ingredients and imagination.

Saturday night, the 19th Annual Clyde “Kindy” Sproat Falsetto & Storytelling Contest spotlights the talents of male singers who lift their voice into the upper register and captivate the audience with the stories behind the songs.

Sunday’s Hawaiian Elegance Fashion Show Brunch is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for a Big Island audience to experience a brand-new style of contemporary women’s wear, created by Kumu Hula Nalani Kanakaole for Sig Zane Designs, the well-known island designer of signature aloha fashions.

“This is a new look, and it is extraordinary,” said Waikoloa Beach Resort’s Margo Mau-Bunnell, Sales and Operations Manager for Queens’ MarketPlace. “And we are just delighted that Kumu Nalani and Sig chose our Hawaiian Cultural Weekend to premier her new line. The Big Island is already a world-class destination, and designer events like this add a different level of excitement. People will be talking about this show for a long time.”

’30 Days of Aloha’ Hawaiian Cultural Weekend Schedule

* Friday, Sept. 3
Ms. Aloha Nui Gala
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Naupaka Ballroom
Doors open 5 p.m. pageant begins 6:00 p.m.
Tickets $7
Call Leiola Mitchell at 896-3798.

* Saturday, Sept. 4
Poke Contest
11 a.m.
Hilton Waikoloa Village, Kona Ballrooms
Tickets $7
Call Linda Pokipala, 937-4896.

* Clyde “Kindy” Sproat Falsetto & Storytelling Contest
Doors open 6 p.m., contest begins 7 p.m.
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Naupaka Ballroom
Tickets $7
Call Pua Garmon, 345-8575.

* Sunday, Sept. 5
Hawaii Elegance Brunch and world premier Hoku Malama Fashion Show by Kumu Hula Nalani Kanakaole for Sig Zane Designs
10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Fashion Marketplace
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Na Palapalai in Concert
Noon-1 p.m. Brunch
1:30-2 p.m. Fashion Show
Hilton Waikoloa Village, Monarchy Ballroom
Tickets $45 in advance—until 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4 — and $50 at the door. Admission includes self-parking, spectacular brunch buffet, concert and fashion show. This event is a benefit for the Moku O Keawe Foundation.

Future events

* Friday, Sept. 10 – Hula Palua Competition & Royal Court Appearance, Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort.
* Friday, Sept. 17 – 5 p.m. – Royal Court Appearance at Kupuna Hula Festival – Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort.
* Saturday, Sept. 18 – 10 a.m. – 35th Annual Waimea Paniolo Parade from historic Church Row to Waimea Park, followed by the annual Hoolaulea until 4 p.m. (Reminder: Road closure thru the heart of Waimea town from 10-11 a.m. Expect delays.)

For further information and complete schedule, visit www.hawaiiislandfestival.org