2024 Aloha Festivals Theme

The theme is a phrase taken from the saying, “ʻAʻa i ka hula, waiho ka hilahila ma ka hale” – “When one wants to dance the hula, bashfulness should be left at home.”

ʻAʻa also means to be brave, to dare, and to challenge. When we consider that hula was viewed as a pagan ritual by missionaries, driven underground due to prohibition, and nearly lost as a vital cultural artform, these meanings are a striking reminder. They remind us of the fragility of our artforms, and that vigilance and care are required to ensure their inheritance throughout the generations.

Hula lives today because of our kūpuna who were brave. Hula is known the world over because of the ones who dared. Hula has captured the hearts of people from distant places and drawn them to these fair shores because of the ones who took on the challenge.

This year, we celebrate the brave, the daring, the challenge seekers. This year, we celebrate our kumu hula, our hula teachers and hula masters. By their tutelage do our hands and feet tell the beautiful stories of our land and people.

E nā kumu hula, we dance for you!

E ʻaʻa mai kākou i ka hula! Let us dare to dance!