Aloha Festivals marks its 80th anniversary of celebrations with three events this year. For Sam Shenkus, co-chair of the Aloha Festivals board of directors, the festival is a chance to celebrate culture.
“Come and enjoy it, because again, only Hawaiʻi has aloha,” she told Aloha State Daily. “And it's fun.”
Aloha Festivals kicked off on Saturday, Sept. 5, with the Royal Court investiture and opening ceremony, where the 2026 Royal Court received regalia reserved for aliʻi.
This weekend, Aloha Festivals will bring the 72nd Annual Hoʻolaulea to Kalākaua Avenue from 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, in Waikīkī. Featured entertainment this year takin four stages includes the Mākaha Sons, Hoʻokena, Anthony Pfluke, Kamaka Camarillo, Baba Tavares, and more.
“It's a street party, and what makes it unique is that we have stages that are sponsored, and on our stages, we have Hawaiian entertainment,” she said. “There's music and wonderful entertainment throughout the evening. We also have individual vendors. They're selling lei. They're selling jewelry. They're selling T-shirts. They're selling food.”
The free, volunteer-run event is expected to bring more than 10,000 participants to Waikīkī, according to permits filed with the Department of Transportation Services for the City and County of Honolulu
Also coming up is the Aloha Festivals’ 78th Annual Floral Parade, which will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 26. Shenkus will be part of the parade for that event, as she has been for years.
The traditional art of pāʻū riding is featured in Aloha Festivals’ 78th Annual Floral Parade. (Courtesy of Aloha Festivals) 
The Royal Court is part of the annual floral parade. (Courtesy of Aloha Festivals) 
Some participants in the parade are keiki. (Courtesy of Aloha Festivals) 
Bands are featured in the floral parade. (Courtesy of Aloha Festivals) 
Kamehameha Schools participated in the floral parade last year. (Courtesy of Aloha Festivals)
The route starts at Ala Moana Regional Park and continues along Kalākaua Avenue ending at Kapiʻolani Regional Park. Often, she sees the same families with coolers and chairs in the shade each year, she said.
“Literally, there are families and people I see every single year,” Shenkus said. “It's kind of fun. Over the years, there's been cute couples, where I saw them on a blanket when they were dating, and then I've seen them with a baby, and then I've seen them with maybe two kids. And they're in the same spot every year to watch the parade. It’s very charming.”
As the parade moves into Waikīkī, there are more tourists, she said, adding, “They're in bathing suits. They love the parade, but they're all about getting a tan. They're not under trees.”
She is most looking forward to seeing the men and women on horseback dressed in lei, showcasing the traditional art of pāʻū riding, while wearing the colors of the different Islands.
“It’s truly an astounding level of aloha, but it's all volunteer,” she said. “There's no one getting paid to be in the parade.”
Before it was Aloha Festivals, it was Aloha Week, which started in 1946. Under Aloha Week, each Island had a festival with Oʻahu holding the grand finale celebration, she said. In 1991, the event became Aloha Festivals, which is based on Oʻahu. Shenkus joined the board of directors for Aloha Week and also serves vice president and director of marketing at Royal Hawaiian Center.
“For me, it's been a labor of love because the whole point of Aloha Festivals is to celebrate and perpetuate the culture of Hawaiʻi,” she said. “That's really the goal.”
For more information, go to: alohafestivals.com.
Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
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