In the spirit of inclusion, celebrating the beauty of diversity and the uniqueness of each and every child, Imua Family Services is proud to bring to Maui the Color Festival Hawaii as a part of our annual event series, the “Festivals of the World.”
On Sunday, April 1st 2018, the first ever Color Festival Hawaii took place at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center with non-stop music featuring DJ Boomshot, Broadway performers Teal Wicks & Matt Doyle, local favorites Shea Butter & The Cream, YumYum Beast, Eric Gilliom and a special surprise performance by Amy Hanaiali’i. Food and refreshments were provided by The Outrigger Pizza Company, Grandpa Joe’s Cotton Candy, Star Anise Indian Cuisine, Cream B Roll’d Ice Cream, Maui Sweet Cakes and Three’s Bar & Grill. It was a unique and fun afternoon of music and dancing ending with the throwing of colors!
https://youtu.be/CIqnFVbdNVo
Color Festivals originally began in India as Holi Festivals dating back to the 4th Century. Color Festivals have since spread around the world and are also known as Festivals of Color and Festivals of Love, signifying the arrival of spring and end of winter, the victory of good over evil, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forgive, repair and restore relationships. (Some might also find this correlates with the meaning and message of Easter.) Like the coloring of Easter Eggs, a Color Festival is an artistic, creative and visual expression of colors where people throw colors at each other and into the air until everyone is thoroughly shaded in beautiful and vibrant colors. Combined with music and dancing it is a symbol of life, love and happiness.
The Color Festival Hawaii is an engaging family-friendly gathering and a place for children to come and play and participate. The message behind a color festival is “inclusion,” that we are all the same under one rainbow, living and celebrating life together.
The 2019 Color Festival Hawaii date and musical line-up will be posted here in the near future. We look forward to bringing you fabulous entertainers to help make this next year’s event even more incredible than our last!
FAQ
The Color Festival Hawaii is a modern American version of a traditional Indian Holi Festival, a centuries old ritual of throwing and applying of colored powders on friends and family, which gives the holiday its common name, “Festival of Colors.” Clouds of colors dancing in the wind carry the message of love and happiness across to all who participate.
When is the Group Color Throwing?
Group color throwing will be held at approximately 4pm. Participation in the group color throwing is optional.
Can we bring our own colored powders?
No. For safety reasons, colored powders other than those distributed inside the event area are strictly prohibited.
What are the colored powder ingredients?
Actual ingredients include: Corn starch and FD&C and/or D&C colors. Color safety information: Approved for use in foods, cosmetics and/or drugs. These products are not considered hazardous, 29 CFR 1910-1200. The product is biodegradable and washes off easily with water.
Are there any health issues involved with “color throwing”?
Festival goers are cautioned not to go into the middle of the color throwing area if they have allergies or respiratory problems. Children should not be in the middle of the color throwing area and/or should have dust masks. Anyone with breathing issues should stay away from the dust or wear a dust mask. Dust masks will be available for sale for $2 each. Persons who are coming for the first time might also want to stay to one side and observe.
Can we bring outside food and beverages and alcohol with us?
No. Outside food and beverages and alcohol are not allowed. It is a family friendly festival. Food and beverage options will be provided on site. Additionally, smoking of any kind is strictly prohibited. There will be a bag check for security purposes.
Is it suitable for children?
The festival is enjoyed by kids of all ages. Kids will love it! The Color Festival Hawaii is a safe event for families. Children as young as 3 years old can enjoy running around and playing with colors. However, babies and toddlers will need some extra care and supervision to avoid colors in the eyes. Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult to enter.
What do I need to bring?
- Hat and sunscreen
- Replacement T-shirt and pants (Remember, there is a good chance the clothes you wear will be colored beyond recognition.)
- Plastic bag to put the colored clothes in
- Be prepared to be colored by others; even your hair will be full of colors
- The colors are all easy to wash off. However, your clothes will be totally colored and need to be disposed of or washed at home with special care. Please bring a plastic bag with you to put your clothes into, and bring other clothing you can put on before you go back into your car.
Will there be a place to keep my valuables?
No. Any personal belongings brought into the Color Festival Hawaii are the responsibility of the owner. We suggest you either leave your valuables in your car or at home.
What should I wear? Will the powder stain my clothes?
You will not leave the festival looking the same as you arrived. Festival goers should wear white and leave colorful! Comfortable shoes/sandals and clothes you don’t mind getting full of colorful powder are recommended. The powder is just colored cornstarch and most of it will just blow right off unless you get wet. We recommend you to wash your clothes right after the festival.
Should I get worried if I eat some powder accidentally?
The powder is made out of natural ingredients only. Eating corn starch is not dangerous at all and quite the opposite as it may turn out to be a rather pleasant experience!
Should I wear any eye protection goggles or glasses?View Page
The powder is made out of natural ingredients only; however, should it get into your eyes please wash them with water. Protecting your eyes with sun glasses or goggles is strongly recommended.
Will the powder be easily washed away?
This powder is an easy to wash away product, however if you have light colored or highlighted hair, you may want to oil your hair before the festival. Coconut oil or olive oil work best, but a good leave-in conditioner will usually do the trick as well.
How are the colors thrown in the air?
Step 1: Open up you colored powder bag.
Step 2: Throw the powder to the air, towards your friends or even on yourself!
Do the powders stain?
No, the colors can be easily washed away with water and normal soap or shampoo.
If I want to, how do I keep the color in my shirt after the Color Festival Hawaii?
STEP 1: Spray your shirt in vinegar to soak.
STEP 2: Air dry flat
STEP 3: Iron the shirt, which helps the colors be absorbed further
STEP 4: Cold wash the shirt
