WAIKOLOA, Hawaii: The folks at the Waikoloa Beach Resort are teaming up with the Hawaii Island Festival to bring a weekend of aloha. The following media release was issued in advance of the event:

Summer flies by, and the window for summer vacation travel may be closing fast, but Waikoloa Beach Resort can help turn Labor Day Weekend into a mini “stay-cation” with great kama‘āina room rates, two days full of fun Hawaiian cultural events and a selection of favorite dining options for the whole family.

The Hawaiian Cultural Weekend (in cooperation with Hawaii Island Festival) carries on the colorful traditions begun with “Aloha Week” in the 1950’s that celebrate Hawaii’s unique history, music, style and cuisine. (See full schedule below.)

Festivities kick off on Friday, September 2 at Waikoloa Beach Marriott, with the Ms. Aloha Nui Gala, giving big, bold, beautiful Big Island women the chance to shine, and share their “supersized” style and aloha in the spotlight. Contestants are evaluated on their presentation in casual and formal wear, poise, grace and talent.

On Saturday morning, “Hawaii’s Soul Food” takes the stage at Hilton Waikoloa Village during everybody’s favorite Poke Contest. In Hawaiian, poke means “to cut or dice” and poke the dish is a traditional pūpū made with bite-sized pieces of fish, creatively prepared and seasoned with worlds of ingredients and imagination. Both home cooks and top professional chefs compete against their peers for the championship, and after the judges announce the winners, the audience gets to taste too.

Then on Saturday night, the Clyde “Kindy” Sproat Falsetto & Storytelling Contest takes place at Hilton Waikoloa Village. Celebrating its 20th year, this unique folk music competition features the Island’s talented male singers of all ages, who lift their voice into the upper register and captivate the audience with the stories behind the songs.

Both Hilton Waikoloa Village and Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa offer affordable kama‘āina rates during the resort’s Hawaiian Cultural Weekend, making it easy for families to plan a quick, end-of-the-summer getaway. Waikoloa Beach Resort’s location at ‘Anaeho‘omalu Beach, great golf, numerous dining, shopping, recreation and relaxation options mesh for a complete vacation destination for visitors and kama‘āina.

For more information visit www.WaikoloaBeachResort.com.

Hawaiian Cultural Weekend at Waikoloa Beach Resort

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday September 2

Ms. Aloha Nui Gala

Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Naupaka Ballroom

Doors open 5:30 p.m. pageant begins 6:30 p.m.

Tickets $7

For contest information, call Leiola Mitchell, 896-3798.

Saturday, September 3

Poke Contest

Hilton Waikoloa Village, Kona Ballrooms

Doors open at 11:00 a.m., Program begins at Noon.

Tickets $7

Please call Linda Pokipala, 937-4896 for contest information.

Clyde “Kindy” Sproat Falsetto & Storytelling Contest

Doors open 6:00 p.m., contest begins 7:00 p.m.

Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Naupaka Ballroom

Tickets $7

For contest information, call Pua Garmon, 345-8575.

More information and contest entry applications are available at www.WaikoloaBeachResort.com