Hawaiian Falls is hosting the inaugural Aloha Y’All Festvial, an all-day event at its Roanoke waterpark, celebrating the unique blend of the Aloha spirit and Texas hospitality that has made Hawaiian Falls Dallas-Fort Worth’s favorite family waterpark.
“For many years, we’ve proudly welcomed families to our waterparks with a sincere Aloha,” said Hawaiian Falls Managing Director Ryan Forson. “Aloha literally means hello or goodbye in Hawaiian. But, more importantly, the Aloha spirit is one of love and affection. Of course, we’re also proud Texans. So, “Aloha Y’All” really means you are welcomed as someone very dear to us. We thought it only fitting to throw a big shindig on the National Day of the Cowboy, July 24th, to celebrate our dual heritage. So, we welcome you with a hearty Aloha Y’All!”
Aloha Y’all will feature music, hula dancers, ropin’ cowboys, Ohana Games, as well as Hawaiian foods and treats including Pulled Pork sandwiches ($9.99); the Dole Whip swirled-pineapple soft-serve ice cream dessert ($5); Non-alcoholic Pina Colada ($3.85) or with Rum ($10); and a Hawaiian Draft beer ($7). Texas fare includes Cheeseburgers ($9.95); Chili Cheese Dogs ($8.49); Nachos ($5.95) and frozen Slush drinks ($3.85).
An All-Day Admission Pass is $31.99; guests under 48” tall $23.99. Guests can save $3 per ticket when purchased online. Hawaiian Falls Season Pass Holders are admitted free and can get in at 10 a.m. A special $15 Twilight Pass is available 3 pm – 8 pm for all ages. Kids two & under are always free when accompanied by an adult.
If you’re more Texan than Hawaiian, come dressed in your finest cowboy attire to enter the Best Cowboy/Best Cowgirl attire contest at 11 a.m. just inside the front gate, where there will be a cowboy doing lasso tricks.
At 1:30 p.m. there’ll be a special session of the Ohana Games with fun activities for kids of all ages. Then you can take a hula lesson from authentic Polynesian dancers, who will also perform a show for all the guests.
There’ll be a Family Hat Decorating contest at 4 p.m for the most colorful/most creative/most authentic, Paniolo (Hawaiian Cowboy) hat. Bring your own decorated hat or buy one at Hawaiian Falls and decorate it at the park.
Immediately afterwards, guests will be invited to get in the wavepool to tip their hats and raise a Shaka in celebration of the merging of Texan and Hawaiian cultures. It’s all part of the Aloha Y’Allspirit!
Known as a Paniolo (PAW-nee-OH-lo), the Hawaiian Cowboy dates back to 1793 when five cows were brought to the Hawaiian Islands as a gift to King Kamehameha. Over the next 20 years the cattle multiplied, becoming a problem for Hawaiian farmers. In 1815, John Palmer Parker, Kamehameha’s western advisor, was given permission to thin the herd to supply meat and hide. In less than a year the Hawaiian salt beef industry was booming. In 1833, King Kamehameha III brought Vaqueros (Mexican cowboys) from California to Hawaii to break in the cows and train Hawaiians to be cowboys. These vaqueros spoke Spanish, or Espanol, and helped create the "paniolo" culture that still thrives today. The paniolo are known for weaving colorful flowers into leis and wrapping them around their cowboy hats.
Special event information, park hours, directions and ticket information are available at hfalls.com.