Polynesian Culture at the Arizona Aloha Festival

The Arizona Aloha Festival happens each year and takes place over two days in March at Tempe Beach Park.

The festival is a fun way to celebrate Hawaii and Polynesian culture. It includes a variety of food and performances, but to those with Polynesian ancestry it means so much more than that.

Native Hawaiian Kolin Jon Kavika Kapileo had only good things to say about the festival.

"I feel like it's a great thing and I honestly think it's positive, Kapileo said. "We come together to not only learn, but share each other' customs. It's just good vibes."

"We come together to not only learn, but share each other' customs. It's just good vibes."

Others, like Rea Angela Plotado, feel that the festival could include a greater variety of Polynesian cultures.

Plotado is originally from the Philippines, but spent much of her life in Hawaii and feels a strong connection to the culture.

"I feel like it could be more in-depth culturally because I feel like a lot of festivals like these only cater to Hawaii but not so much other cultures like Guam or Tonga," Plotado said. "So if they could cater to all of the Polynesian islands that would be great too because we all intersect."

Respect and hospitality are important features of Hawaiian culture.

Kapileo said, "Respect is really big with us. Hospitality is a big thing for us so we want more people to learn about that because it' s really deep within out culture to have that mentality."

Plotado said, "We love the islands because that's where we get most of our food and our resources so we like to respect it. The island provides for us so we like to give back to the island as well."

The Aloha Spirit was ever-present at the festival, but there is much more to be learned about Hawaiian culture. You can learn more below: