Eo e Emalani i Alaka i Festival

Eo e Emalani i Alaka i Festival

Second Saturday in October

The Eo e Emalani i Alaka i Festival is an annual outdoor celebration that takes place, rain or shine, on the second Saturday in October in Koke'e State Park, Kaua'i, Hawaii. It is a joyous commemoration of the journey of Hawaiian Queen Emma Naea Rooke in 1871 from her beach house in Lawa'i to the upper reaches of Kilohana Viewpoint, where she wanted to see for herself the legendary, sweeping views reaching to Wainiha. The Queen, with nearly 100 companions, was led by a legendary guide, Kaluahi, recommended by Eric Knudsen of Waimea.
At the festival, the nature-loving Queen Emma is represented by a woman from the halau (a school where hula-dancing is taught). She and an entourage re-enact Queen Emma's entrance to the mountain meadow, where they are greeted by numerous Hawaiian hula dancers who offer ancient chants and special dances to the royal party. Guests at the free festival are asked to observe royal protocol, such as standing when the Queen enters or leaves the royal tent set up for the occasion. In addition to the historical re-enactment, the day's activities include a photographic exhibit and demonstrations of local crafts, including lauhala (fan and matt) weaving and Ni'ihau shell lei-making. Approximately 2,500 local guests and visitors attend each year's festival, sponsored by the Koke'e Natural History Museum in Kekeha, Kaua'i.

CONTACTS:
Koke'e Natural History Museum
P.O. Box 100
Kekaha, HI 96752
808-335-9975; fax: 808-335-6131
www.kokee.org/emalani.html

Celebration days: Oct 8, 2011; Oct 13, 2012; Oct 12, 2013; Oct 11, 2014; Oct 10, 2015