The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – a secluded luxury resort situated on Maui’s pristine northwest shore – announced that the 29th Annual Celebration of the Arts Festival will be presented virtually for 2021.
Since the festival’s inception 28 years ago, Hawaii’s most reputable artisans, educators, cultural practitioners, and entertainers have convened on the sacred shores of Honokahua to celebrate the islands’ cultural and historic cornerstones. In lieu of celebrating in person this year, the resort will spend the remainder of 2021 “Celebrating the Arts” with a series of monthly virtual experiences being housed on The Celebration of the Arts website at www.celebrationofthearts.org.
Beginning Friday, April 2, 2021, guests from around the world are invited to participate in the 29th Annual Celebration of the Arts from the comfort of their own home through virtual panels, artisan video bios and displays, thought-provoking interviews, prose and poetry and many other unique and exciting presentations yet to be imagined. The theme of this year’s event is “Ua ‘Aukahi Na ‘Ale…United, Flowing As One.” Artist and Fashion Designer Sarai Strickland will soon be unveiling her piece to reflect upon this theme.
Following the initial April 2 launch date, the event will continue to release new Celebrating the Arts content on the second Friday of each month commencing over a period of one year and counting down to the 30th Anniversary of Celebration of the Arts in 2022. This new monthly series will ensure the integrity and purpose of this award-winning festival is preserved by providing thought provoking segments, emotional experiences, spiritual contemplation, talented individuals and certainly fun.
Nestled within the Kapalua Resort, one of Hawaii’s largest nature preserves on Maui’s Northwest Shore, is the Honokahua Preservation Site – a recognized “wahi pana” (sacred site) that lies adjacent to the resort and serves as a destination where Native Hawaiians gather to conduct ceremonial rituals and honor their ancestors. Upon the resort’s opening 29 years ago, The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua brought on the first Cultural Advisor to The Ritz-Carlton brand, Clifford Nae’ole, who co-founded the Celebration of the Arts Festival in an effort to further engage and educate travelers and locals about the resort’s rich Hawaiian roots and historical surroundings.
“Safety for our Kupuna…our Makua…our Keiki…’ohana and pilialoha will remain our highest priority,” says Clifford Nae’ole, Cultural Advisor at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua. “It is only for their greater good that we sacrifice some time together until all is favorable for us to gather again at the sacred shores of Honokahua at Kapalua…and The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua.”
As the resort looks forward to a full-blown, in person revival of The Celebration of the Arts to celebrate its 30th year in 2022, it invites all to enjoy these complimentary, virtual experiences that will soon be available online at www.celebrationofthearts.org, social networking sites and other venues to be announced. For more information and to view the full schedule of this year’s events, please visit www.celebrationofthearts.org. For more information about The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, please call the hotel at (808) 669-6200 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/kapalua-maui.
