REPORT FROM THE ALOHA FESTIVALS – Aloha Festivals is proud to announce the members of its 2012 Royal Court. Since 1946, the Aloha Festivals Royal Court has played an essential role in the Aloha Festivals, serving as a symbol of Hawaiian heritage passed down through generations of Hawaiians. The 2012 Royal Court will appear at all Aloha Festivals events this September, kicking off the 66thAnnual Aloha Festivals on September 6 with the Royal Court Investiture at 3:00 p.m. at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, and Opening Ceremony at 5:00 p.m. at the Royal Hawaiian Center, Royal Grove.
Selection of the Royal Court was based on the following criteria: Hawaiian ancestry, ability to make various appearances during the reigning year from September 2012 to August 2013, and age requirements of 35 and older for king and queen applicants and 16 to 18 for prince and princess applicants. Scholarships will be awarded to the prince and princess after their reign to further their education after high school.
Royal Court Members
Mō‘ī Kāne (King) – Aldo Siegried Kuie‘e
Aldo, who is a resident of Salt Lake, is a sheriff and dispatcher with the Department of Public Safety. He also works part time for Above and Beyond Delivery. A graduate of Damien Memorial School, he is proud to be chosen as the Mō‘ī Kāne, representing his ancestors and heritage. In his free time, Aldo enjoys playing golf and spending time with his wife and family.
Mō‘ī Wahine (Queen) – Lydia U‘ilani Kuie‘e
Lydia, who has previously served as a lady-in-waiting on the Royal Court, is an assistant manager at Contractor’s License Center. She is excited to serve as the Mō‘ī Wāhine and feels that it is a humbling opportunity to represent Hawaiian royalty. A graduate of James B. Castle High School, Lydia is a resident of Salt Lake and enjoys dancing hula and spending time with her husband and family. She also enjoys doing volunteer work and is a certified licensed marriage official.
Kamāli‘i Kāne (Prince) – Noah Ho‘oku‘ikapono Borden
A graduate of Kamehameha Schools, Noah, who is a resident of Pearl City, is a student at Leeward Community College. He is proud to serve on the Royal Court and feels that it is an opportunity to be exposed to a side of Hawaiian culture that is often not experienced by others, while also educating others about Hawaiian traditions and values. During his free time, Noah enjoys playing football and basketball and also serves as a Boy Scout.
Kamāli‘i Wahine (Princess) – Hope Hokumalamalama‘okalani Kikuna Whitney
Nanakuli resident Hope is a senior at Hālau Kū Mana Public Charter School and plans to attend the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo next fall. She feels that her participation in the Royal Court is a great honor and will allow her to represent her ancestors and culture in the greatest way possible. In her spare time, Hope serves on her school’s student council and also enjoys spending time with her family and paddling for Leeward Kai Canoe Club.
The 2012 Aloha Festivals Royal Court members will be formally introduced on Thursday, September 6, at 3:00 p.m. at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The public is invited to attend as the Royal Court members receive their royal cloak, helmet, head feather lei and other symbols of their station. Traditional chant and hula kāhiko will highlight the event, followed by an Opening Ceremony at 5:00 p.m. at the Royal Hawaiian Center, Royal Grove.
About Aloha Festivals
Aloha Festivals was first held in 1946 as Aloha Week, and over the past six and a half decades has become a celebration of Hawaiian culture, integrating the traditions and cultures of the Islands through music, dance, cuisine and art. All festivities are coordinated by a volunteer board of directors. Aloha Festivals is funded by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, corporate and private sponsorships, and sales of Aloha Festivals ribbons and merchandise.
More information about Aloha Festivals and its events can be found at www.alohafestivals.com, Facebook (facebook.com/AlohaFestivals), Twitter (@AlohaFstvls), or by calling (808) 483-0730.