Kamehameha Schools host 94th annual Ho’olaule’a

The 94th annual Ho’olaule’a hosted by Kamehameha Schools on Saturday. The event featured a range of activities, food, and shopping. Konia Field was littered with a wide range of attendees young and old, alumni and current students. Parents of current students and past came out to celebrate and volunteer for this celebration.

Going along with the vision of Hawaiian princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop (1831-1884), the great-granddaughter and last direct descendant of King Kamehameha I, Ho’olaule’a is a festival meant to bring together the Kamehameha Schools boarding students.

“Our grade is in charge of setting up everything and planning,” said Jonah Kahuuli-apo, 16, KS sophomore. “Every 10th grade hosts so every year there is a new class hosting.”

To enjoy the festivities, you most purchase scrips. Each scrip holds the value of $1. If you did not bring cash there was an ATM available but to purchase scrips you can use Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. There are no checks accepted. Also, this year if you have keiki, there was an option of an unlimited ride wristbands at Ka’ahumanu for $25.

“The reason I come [to Ho’olaule’a] is because the sense of community and family love,” Brianna Saifoloi, said who graduated in 2010. “Every time I come back it’s like a family reunion. I get to see my friends and old teammates.”

The entertainment at Ho’olaule’a created a nice feeling of unity and familiarity among the crowd.

Performances from local group Kapena and Maunalua and local artist Amy Hanai’ali’i and Josh Tatofi, kept the onlooking crowd, sitting on blankets and lawn chairs, and attendees entertained throughout the event with beautiful local music everyone was able to enjoy. 

The ‘ono food was a major crowd pleaser. From Kamehameha’s famous brownies and malasadas to Hawaiian plates and Korean plates and specialties at the Sweet Shoppe, the food vendors can easily became a foodies single reason for visiting Ho’olaule’a. I learned my lesson with getting to the KS brownies in passing. By the time I got to the stand, they were all sold out of there famous brownies. Be sure to get there early and grab a brownie or two so you won’t feel the disappointment of missing out on one of the most talked about items. 

“I’m here for the Hawaiian plates and KS famous brownies,” said Makana Lono, 24, from Kaneohe.

Haku Lei was a favorite among the crowd. Women, as young as infants to elder aunties, were coloring the crowd with haku leis and multicultural prints.

The keiki were not forgotten about throughout this event. A wide range of activities were available and nothing short of fun. Activities included inflatables, rides, a dunking booth and lots of games and crafts. Students with there siblings and parents with there kids all found fun to have throughout the designated area. 

Ho’olaule’a is an annual event. After getting rained out the last two years, attendees are hoping the weather is as nice as it was this year for the coming year.

Parking was a headache when first arriving at Kamehameha Schools for the event. Once you have found parking, shuttle buses that ran throughout the event come from upper campus, lower campus, the Kekuhaupi’o parking structure, and off campus to pick up and drop off attendees. If you plan on going next year, remember to get there early to avoid this headache.