ALOHA FESTIVAL 2009 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Q:
What is the Aloha Festival?
A:
The Aloha Festival is a free, two-day ethnic arts festival celebrating Pacific
Islander culture. This is one of the largest gatherings of Pacific Islanders on
the U.S. mainland. Each year thousands of islanders and islanders-at-heart
gather to celebrate the culture through music, dance, arts and crafts, authentic
food, and educational workshops. The festival is held during the first
full weekend in August. If August 1st falls on a Sunday, then the
festival is held the following weekend.
Q:
When and where this year?
A:
August 1-2, 2009 (Saturday & Sunday), 10:00am – 5:00pm, San
Francisco Presidio, Parade Grounds, at the corner of Lincoln Blvd and Graham St.
Once on the Presidio Grounds, follow signs directing you to the Visitor Center
or Main Post to find us.
Q:
How to I get there?
A:
Click on www.pica-org.org/AlohaFest/af_directions.html
for driving and bus directions.
Q:
Is there a charge for admission?
A:
No, Aloha Festival still has a free admission policy! We do this to
keep our event affordable for families, many of whom already find the high cost
of living in the Bay Area quite daunting. We are doing our best not to add
to that burden.
Q:
Where do I park?
A:
There is a large parking lot directly adjacent to the festival site,
where paid parking is available for $7.00 per slot; an extra charge applies if your vehicle uses
more than one slot. There's also no re-entrance allowance, which means if
you leave and come back, you have to pay again. There is overflow parking
down the hill within walking distance.
Q:
Hey, did parking go up this year?
A:
Yes, parking this year is $7.00 per slot rather than $5.00. For San
Francisco, this is still an extremely low rate for all-day parking and is the
first increase at the festival since 1997. The Presidio Trust rate is
actually $10.00 per slot, but they are kindly allowing $7.00 for our
event. Given our free admission policy, we believe it's still a
compelling family value. We do not yet know what the parking rate will be
for future festivals.
Q:
Help, I lost my kid, my wallet, my friend!
A:
Go to the PICA Information Booth, the large booth with the yellow &
white top directly facing the
Main Stage, to report a lost child or item. If we find your lost child or
item, that's where we will take them.
Q:
How do I find out who is performing and what workshops are happening?
A:
On the days of the event, go the PICA Information Booth, the large booth
with the yellow & white top directly facing the
Main Stage, for assistance or to buy a festival program. We also post
vendor, entertainer, and workshop information on our website as we get closer to the event and
confirm schedules. See http://SanFranciscoAlohaFestival.org/AlohaFest/
for details. For the finalized performance list and biographies on
each group, you can buy a souvenir
festival program at the Information Booth.
Q:
Do I need to sign up to take a workshop? Is there a cost?
A:
No signup is necessary and all workshops are free – people are welcome
to participate on a first-come, first-served basis. A few of the workshops are
music-oriented, so bring your own `ukulele and sing and play along! A schedule of
workshops will be available in the souvenir festival program, and you may also
inquire at the Information Booth.
Q:
Where can I buy a raffle ticket?
A:
At the Information Booth.
Q:
Is alcohol served or allowed at Aloha Festival?
A:
No. The Aloha Festival is renowned for its laid-back environment that
welcomes multi-generational family and friends, from keiki (young
children) to kupuna (elders) and everyone in-between. To preserve the
festival’s appeal for all ages and remain within our contract agreement, alcohol is not served and not allowed on the
grounds. So please help keep our festival safe by not bringing any
alcohol. Mahalo!
Q:
Are there other restrictions on what's allowed at Aloha Festival? 
A:
In addition to the no alcohol policy, you may not bring or use
alcohol-like substances (`awa or kava, etc.), illegal drugs, nor bring weapons
on the premises. We will not attempt to write an exhaustive list.
The restrictions basically boil down to not allowing beverages or substances
that can make you a danger to yourself or others. That obviously means no
weapons allowed either (unless you're a uniformed law enforcement employee).
Q:
What is the set-up for viewing the entertainment? Can I bring my own lawn
chair and blanket?
A:
Entertainment is presented at the Main Stages, and seating is picnic style
on the ground on the large grassy area in front the stage. Since the festival
does not provide any seating in front of the stage, you are welcome to bring
your own flat (no legs), low-back lawn chairs and blankets. However, we ask
that you participate in the spirit of aloha during the event by taking
care not to block others' views, to take only the space you need, and to kokua
(help) by keeping the pedestrian walkways clear.
Q:
Where is the nearest ATM machine?
A:
Most food vendors and arts and crafts vendors take only cash,
and there's a lot of good stuff to buy! The current plan is to have ATM machines
at these locations: 1) next to the speaker between the arts & crafts booths
and the food court, 2) across from the Education Tent, and 3) next to the drink
booth. We will try to make sure ATM signs are visible.
Q:
Is there a place I can sit and eat lunch?
A:
After you pick up your plate lunch (saimin, lau lau, kalua pig, chicken
teriyaki, loco moco, whatever!), you’re welcome to sit at the tables and chairs
in the Picnic Tent located across the street from the food booths.
The lawns next to the Picnic Tent are also available as eating areas.
Sorry, the lawns in front of buildings 38 and 39 are off-limits and will
be taped off.
Q:
Am I allowed to bring my own food and drinks?
A:
Yes. We understand families may be on a budget or some individuals
may have specific dietary restrictions. Of course, we'd love to have you
support our food court vendors too! And remember that alcoholic beverages
and alcohol-like substances are not permitted anywhere on the festival grounds.
Q: What is the
`Ohana Korner?
A: The `Ohana Korner is an area for families and their children (ages 2-12). There will be
games and prizes for the keiki (kids) to win, temporary tattoos,
decorative nail painting, and a crafts area. There is a nominal charge for
the games. Please note that keiki must be accompanied by an adult at
all times.
Q:
Can I bring a pet?
A:
We ask that all attendees leave their pets at home since they will not be
allowed in any high-traffic areas. Service animals, on the other hand, are
allowed in all locations. For full information on PICA's pet
policy, please see this page.
Q:
Handicap access?
A:
There are a number of handicap parking spaces provided in the parking lot
directly adjacent to the festival site. We recommend coming early since these
spots tend to fill up early. All the food booths are on pavement for easy
wheelchair access. All the arts and crafts booths as well as the main stage are
on grass. There are wheelchair ramps in all sidewalk areas, but the grass can be uneven
in many locations. We will attempt to set up a viewing area on the Graham
Street side of the main stages for wheelchairs only. Space will be
limited.
Q:
Why might I be asked for a donation?
A:
The Aloha Festival is brought to you by the Pacific Islanders’ Cultural
Association, an all-volunteer, nonprofit group dedicated to preserving the
Pacific Islander culture in the Bay Area. Everyone associated with the festival
-- organizers, entertainers, and workshop presenters -- generously donates
time and talent to make this community event happen. Instead of charging
admission, we ask for donations or that you purchase drinks at our beverage
booth to help defray the cost
of putting on the festival each year. Mahalo nui loa!
If you have other items you think we should add to this FAQ, please email us suggestions at info@pica-org.org. Mahalo!
Last revised 8/14/2009