At the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua on Maui, the “Celebration of the Arts” began this morning for it’s 20th year.
At 5:45 a.m. this morning, the E Ala E ceremony happened down at the beach, to waken the sun and to cleanse your body. What looked to be about more than 50 people, gathered together and formed a big circle, prayed, then entered the ocean to cleanse.
After coming out of the ocean and having quiet time, time to connect with ancestors, and release any negativity, the group again came together and chanted “E ala e,” calling the sun to rise.
After an hour or two the awa ceremony happened, those who were committing to the culture and their duties participated. Hotel guests an those curious were allowed to stand back and observe the ceremony. Those serving in the ceremony had to be lower than the person they were serving depending on there ranking. It’s a very interesting concept. Those who were of higher ranking, like the Papa Ali’i of Samoa, those serving him were much lower than those of lower ranking.
At 10:15 a.m. the opening ceremony happened in the front of the hotel, right outside and inside the lobby. Guests gathered as well as those participating in the Celebration of the Arts. Maui performing group, ‘Ulalena, E Ola Pono from O’ahu, and more groups chanted their way into the hotel. They asked permission and introduced themselves, and when accepted were called to come inside.
Each of these experiences created quit the spiritual feeling throughout the whole weekend. The theme of this year’s Celebration of the Arts was, “Me ke Aloha,” or “With aloha to all.” It was encouraged that throughout the weekend, each person greet people with aloha, smile and say hello to hotel workers, guests and family. Treat everyone with aloha.
As the weekend went on, those roaming the hotel had the opportunity to make nose flutes, experience artwork from different places and listen in on presentations and panels talking about Aloha and much more.