HONOLULU (KHON2) — The 2025 Royal Court of Aloha Festivals has been presented! On Sept. 6, the Royal Court Investiture started at 4 p.m. at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and was followed by hula and mele for the Opening Ceremony at Royal Hawaiian Center.
“It’s always emotional for me because it’s such an honor to be part of this court, to represent our people and the royal history that was here,” said Iwalani Nepomuceno, 2019 Mō‘ī Wahine. “It’s just so humbling.”
The investiture kicks off the month’s festivities, serving as “a visual reminder of the royal legacy of the Hawaiian people,” Aloha Festivals said in a press release.
“It’s super powerful to see we’re able to perpetuate such an important part of our culture,” said Ever Taʻala, a musician who opened the ceremony. “The fact that Ke Aupuni Hawaiʻi, or the kingdom of Hawaiʻi, is still very much alive.”
The Royal Court, made up of a Mō‘ī Kāne, Mō‘ī Wahine, Kamāli‘i Kāne, Kamāli‘i Wahine and court attendants, will make appearances island-wide at festival events throughout September.
“Without it, without remembering it, it’s going to get lost in translation. Seeing it is a powerful and impactful thing,” Taʻala said. “Not only for us, who are witnessing it, but for generations to come and for the ʻōpio and the keiki that are up and coming and who will be our next court, as well.”
During the investiture, each court member received ‘ahu‘ula (feathered cloaks), mahiole (feathered helmets) and head feather lei. This moment is significant as it honors the royal ceremonies of the past.
“This is for our lāhui,” Taʻala said. “It’s not just for ourselves, it’s for everyone to see and it’s for everyone to realize that we are here and we are present and we are not going anywhere.”
The Royal Court
Mō‘ī Kāne – Edward Kupau Kunipo from Lualualei, O‘ahu is king for a second year. He is an ordained minister at New Hope Leeward and has acted in various local TV shows, including Magnum P.I., Rescue Hawaii Surf and Chief of War.
Mō‘ī Wahine – Mary Meleana Manuel from Volcano, Hawai‘i is this year’s queen. She is Kumu Hula of Hālau Ke ʻOlu Makani O Mauna Loa and founder of Ke ‘Olu Makani, a nonprofit aiming to strengthen Hawaiian culture through art and practices.
Kamāli‘i Kāne – Sean Kaleohano Kekahuna Jr. from Hoʻolehua on the island of Moloka‘i is the 2025 prince. He recently graduated from Moloka‘i High School and serves on the advisory committee of Lili‘uokalani Trust, Nā Leo o Kamakaʻeha.
Kamāli‘i Wahine – Jenney Kapomaikaʻionālani Saldania from Pālolo, O‘ahu is princess of the court. She is a senior at Kamehameha Schools and plans to become a nurse.
The Kamāli‘i Kāne and Kamāli‘i Wahine will receive a scholarship from Aloha Festivals to support their educational goals.
More festivities to come
“[The investiture] is definitely one of my favorites, the second one I think is the Hoʻolauleʻa,” Nepomuceno said.
The block party will be on Sept. 20 from 6 to 10 p.m., with plenty of food and entertainment.
“And then, of course, the parade is just so beautiful to go down the road and, as a child, I remember sitting on the curb watching the parade,” Nepomuceno said. “When you go down and you see all the keiki watching, you think ‘what a legacy we’re a part of’ and it’s a very proud moment.”
KHON2 will livestream the parade on KHON2.com and KHON+ on Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.