A nearly month-long Big Island cultural celebration with years of tradition, now called the "Hawai'i Island Festival – 30 Days of Aloha," has a new approach and a strong commitment to share the island's aloha and diverse heritage with residents and visitors alike. Hawai'i Island Festival's army of volunteers invites visitors from the far corners of the earth to participate in the celebration and welcomes island businesses and residents to attend and support the island's unique signature events.

Spearheading the events for 2010 are Moani Akana, project manager, grant writer & Paniolo Parade chair; Linda Pokipala, Poke Contest & Waimea Ho'olaule'a Food chair, Pua Garmon, Kindy Sproat Falsetto Contest chair, Leiola Mitchell, Ms. Aloha Nui chair, Lorna Akima, Waimea Ho'olaule'a Craft chair & Doreen Kama, Court Director.

Partnerships with Big Island Resource Conservation Development (BIRCD), Hawai'i Tourism Authority (HTA), and Waikoloa Beach Resort continue to support three popular signature events – the Ms. Aloha Nui, Kindy Sproat Falsetto & Poke Contests. Also partnering in the celebration are many local entertainers and celebrities as well as popular Hawai'i clothiers who together support the festival's mission of "perpetuating the cultural traditions and the aloha spirit of Hawai'i."

"HAWAI'I ISLAND FESTIVAL – 30 DAYS OF ALOHA" events for 2010 are follows:

• Saturday, August 28, 10 a.m. - Royal Court Investiture, Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historic Park
• Friday, September 3, 6 p.m. - Ms. Aloha Nui Pageant, Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
• Saturday, September 4, 11 a.m. - Poke Contest, Hilton Waikoloa Village
• Saturday, September 4, 6p.m. - Kindy Sproat Falsetto & Storytelling Contest, Waikoloa Beach Resort
• Sunday, September 5, 11a.m. - Hawaiian Elegance Brunch, Hilton Waikoloa Village
• Saturday, September 18, 10a.m., Waimea's 35th Annual Paniolo Parade & Waimea's Ho'olaule'a Immediately following
• Royal Court appearances (to date): 
• Friday, September 10, 5p.m. - Hula Palua, Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort
• Thursday, September 16, 5p.m. - Kupuna Hula Festival, Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort

Residents and visitors are invited to help sustain the festival by purchasing "Hawai'i Island Festival - 30 Days of Aloha" keepsake ribbons. The ribbons and a fee are required to attend the Ms. Aloha Nui, Poke and Falsetto contests. There is no charge for the Paniolo Parade & Ho'olaule'a.

In the early years, the "Hawai'i Island Festival – 30 Days of Aloha" was a part of the statewide Aloha Festivals celebration, but in recent years has become a stand-alone Hawai'i Island celebration organized and supported by Big Island businesses and residents.

For more information:

http://www.waikoloabeachresort.com/big-island-activities-events