KE KĀHEA 'IA NEI KAHI HĀLĀWAI

This talk story explores leadership, legacy, and Hawaiian history through themes inspired by Chief of War. Framed as cultural dialogue—not promotion—the session invites reflection on ali'i leadership, unification, and how Hawaiian stories are interpreted and shared today.

Honoring those who carried culture across the ocean.  This experience centers Hawaiians and local families living on the continent—acknowledging migration, resilience, and the ways culture continues to live far from home, yet deeply rooted in identity and belonging.

Traditional Hawaiian foods, locally made products, and artisan goods are woven into the experience as expressions of culture—offering comfort, familiarity, and a tangible connection to home through taste, touch, and creativity.

Attendees experience Hawaiian culture as it lives today—through hula, mele, chant, protocol, and practice rooted in lineage and meaning. These are not staged moments, but expressions of 'ike carried forward and shared with intention.

A practical workshop highlighting educational and economic pathways that support Hawaiians seeking long-term opportunities to return home—focused on awareness, preparation, and informed choice.

A reflective space inviting participants to explore lineage, 'ohana stories, and ancestral ties—reconnecting the “local” within us and deepening understanding of where we come from and what we carry forward.

The hālau featured at the festival are not presented as performers competing for attention, but as cultural institutions carrying lineage, discipline, and responsibility. Each hālau brings 'ike passed down through generations—sharing not only hula, but the stories, values, and protocols that give it meaning.

World-class Hawaiian artistry anchors two unforgettable evenings, where mele, movement, and modern production converge in contemporary musical storytelling—creating moments of pride, emotion, and collective celebration across generations.

Led by Kahu Kenneth Makuakāne of Kawaiaha'o Church, the Ali'i Sunday Service is a Sunday morning gathering on the festival stage, open to all, offering a moment of reflection, gratitude, and unity rooted in Hawaiian values and ali'i tradition.