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The Live Aloha Hawaiian Cultural Festival shares Hawaiian cultural roots and contemporary influences through music, hula, ono food, marketplace and more. It is coming to the Armory Food & Event Hall in Seattle on September 13, 2026, from 11 am to 6 pm. Admission is free and it is open to the public.
The Seattle Center is presenting the festival with the Live Aloha Hawaiian Cultural Festival Committee. The festival perpetuates Hawaiian culture throughout the Pacific Northwest.
The high cost of living on an island where almost everything has to be imported combined with limited opportunities for high wage employment has resulted in Native Hawaiians relocating to the continental United States. Almost 80,000 Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders live in Washington state. It’s the 3rd largest population of this demographic in the United States.
The number of Native Hawaiians born away from their ancestral homeland and cultural roots increases each year. The Live Aloha Committee tries to provide a “home away from home” and perpetuate the Native Hawaiian culture and heritage.
The cultural workshops are free of charge and are led by Hawaii’s cultural experts. These create meaningful opportunities for cultural exchange and honor Hawaii’s heritage while making lasting connections across communities.
Ono Food is a highlight of the festival. Ono means delicious in Hawaiian. This is a great opportunity to try something new and see why it’s called ono!
Another highlight of the festival will be the live entertainment. Performers include
- Ho’okena – This group has been nominated for 3 Grammy’s and are multiple winners of Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.g
- Ocean Kaowili is a musician and singer
- Kumu hula Nani Dudoit
If you liked the food at the festival and want to learn more about Hawaiian cooking, try these cookbooks. And you can use our links to see how you can save money on each one.
- Hawaiian Sunsets & Miss Edna’s Coconut Dream Cake by Jefferson Davis
- Aloha Kitchen Recipes from Hawaii by Alara Kysar
- Ohana Style: Food from Hawaii by Sheldon Simeon and Garrett Snyder
Seattle Hotels & Flights
If you’d like to visit Seattle for the festival, you should consider these hotels. They are all offering discounted rates which could save you money on your stay.
If you’re going to be flying to Seattle, find out how to save money on your flight here.