Here’s How You Can Watch the Aloha Festivals Floral Parade Anywhere

The 78th annual Aloha Festivals takes place in September, culminating in an annual floral parade on Saturday down Kalākaua Avenue in Waikīkī.

This year’s parade—the 76th one, presented by ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach—will feature a procession of festive floral floats, decorated vehicles, marching bands and, of course, traditional pāʻū riders.

A pāʻū rider in last year’s Aloha Festivals annual floral parade in Waikīkī.
Photo: Courtesy of Aloha Festivals

The parade runs from 9 a.m. to noon; the route is from Ala Moana Regional Park to Kapiʻolani Park in Waikīkī.

While it’s much better to watch the parade from a beach chair along Kalākaua Avenue, you can enjoy the festivities from the comforts of your home. KHON will be broadcasting the parade live from 10 a.m. to noon (KHII) and online (khon2.com), with a rebroadcast from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 29 (KHII) and 8 to 10 p.m. on Oct. 4 (KHON2).

“Aloha Festivals is a celebration by and for the people of Hawai‘i. It’s an opportunity for kamaʻāina to celebrate our history and traditions with ‘ohana and friends,” said Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, co-chair of Aloha Festivals, in a news release. “At the same time, it offers visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a true cross section of Hawai‘i’s diverse culture and community. It is truly unlike any other event that happens all year.”

A floral float at the Aloha Festivals annual parade.
Photo: Courtesy of Aloha Festivals

The theme of this year’s event is “ʻAʻa I Ka Hula.” It comes from 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. Reflecting on hula’s tumultuous history, from being suppressed and driven underground due to prohibition to its near extinction, ʻAʻa I Ka Hula serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience required to safeguard cultural treasures for future generations. In celebrating the theme, Aloha Festivals pays tribute to the kūpuna who bravely preserved hula, the pioneers who boldly shared it with the world and the contemporary practitioners who continue to pass on the art form.

The mission of Aloha Festivals is to foster the aloha spirit through the perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture and the celebration of the diverse customs and traditions of Hawai‘i.

For more information about Aloha Festivals, visit alohafestivals.com.