The journey from Colorado Springs to Hawaii is more than 3,000 miles.
For many Hawaiian or Pacific Islander families living in Colorado, home exists somewhere between the family recipes, cultural traditions and stories that have traveled thousands of miles.
This Saturday, one festival organizer hopes to shrink that distance to a short walk through downtown.
Filled with hula, live Hawaiian music, island food and cultural performances, the inaugural E Ola Mau Ka Po'e Festival aims to bring a piece of the Pacific to the Pikes Peak region.
From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., The Lot at Meanwhile Block will host the free event supporting Hawaiian and Polynesian communities who now call Colorado home.Â
“When it comes to events, Hawaiian and Polynesian communities generate great excitement for many businesses,†festival curator Rance Like said. “Our luaus are still the most celebrated theme. Hawaii's still the No. 1 destination for weddings. When people do nonprofit events, they tend to have either Hawaiian or Polynesian entertainment in their lineup, and there's a reason why. We give our who we are to everybody else, so right now it's time for us to help represent and take care of each other.â€Â
Whether locals are reconnecting with island roots or experiencing its culture for the first time, here's what to know before heading to the first-ever E Ola Mau Ka Po'e Festival.
Long live the people
“E ola mau ka po'e†translates to “long live the people.â€
For Like, those words reflect the event's larger mission: preserving Hawaiian and Polynesian culture while creating opportunities for Colorado's growing island community.
The free festival is the result of nearly five years of planning through Like's nonprofit organization, the E Ola Mau Ka Po'e Foundation.Â
“It's really designed to help the Native Hawaiian community and the people who can't afford to, say, go to Hawaii to enjoy learning about our culture, see a show, listen to Hawaiian music or things of that facet,†Like said.
After raising $10,000, the nonprofit was able to connect with local vendors and performers to put on this event, with donations for future initiatives still welcomed.
“Everything here in the mainland deals with money,†Like said. “Back home, it's not like that. The culture is available everywhere you go. You can go to the beach or to the mall and there's hula or cultural things happening all the time. We're just trying to make it affordable for the community and for the young families with kids who can barely make it by. That way they can still preserve their identity and teach their kids where they come from and who they are.â€
According to the 2020 United States census, Colorado is home to an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, something that influenced Like to plan this event.
“Part of my nonprofit is to preserve the culture, but to also economically help people from Hawaii have a better life,†he said. “We can't go home and live because it's too expensive now. Even if they might not be Native Hawaiians, there is a large community of Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, Polynesians, Samoans, Polynesians and all that, who are moving to Colorado.â€
A full day of entertainmentÂ
The festival will feature 17 performers representing traditions from across the Pacific.
Throughout the day, visitors can experience hula, Tahitian dance, Samoan drumming, possible fire dancing and performances rooted in cultures from Hawaii, Samoa, the Philippines and more.
Headlining the event is acclaimed Hawaiian musician John Cruz, a three-time Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner. Also taking the stage is Shawn Ishimoto, a blind guitarist known for his distinctive lap-style guitar playing.
Featured dance groups include Denver's HÄlau Kalama and Aurora's Kalama Polynesian Dancers, along with performances by Manava O Polynesia and Hawak Kamay Dance Co.Â
Support island-owned businesses
Of course, no celebration of Hawaiian and Polynesian culture would be complete without food.
Festivalgoers will find island-inspired dishes from regional favorites including Mayjah Grinds, Sides of Aloha and No Ke Aloha, among others.
“You can even bring your own food or drinks if you want to,†he said. “We're not opposed to anything. We just want to make sure we're inclusive to every level of economic status people are in. You don't even have to be Hawaiian to attend.â€
Along with a lineup of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander dishes available, expect 15 to 18 artists and vendors selling island-inspired apparel, handmade creations, artwork and gifts.
“Everything that we'll have is all Polynesian and all Hawaiian,†Like said. “We're there to support and raise money for our community. So every year, I'm going to continue to do this festival no matter what I have to do.â€
IF YOU GO
What: E Ola Mau Ka Po'e Festival
When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday
Where: The Lot at Meanwhile Block, 132 W. Cimarron St.
Price: Free, ahakuleana.org
