We present
Hālau Hula I Ka Lā is the presenting hālau — Kumu Joanne is the festival's founder and director, and our volunteers run the day-of operations.
AlohaFest Toronto · presented by our hālau
The Festival We Built.
In 2015, Kumu Joanne and our dancers organized one summer afternoon of hula at Mel Lastman Square. In 2026, AlohaFest Toronto marks ten years — the city's largest celebration of Polynesian culture, and our hālau still presents, hosts, and dances at every one.
The 10th festival · 2026
Saturday, July 25, 2026
For the first time, AlohaFest runs from 11am into the evening — until 10pm — for one full day of dance, music, food and craft at Mel Lastman Square. Free admission, rain or shine. Our hālau opens the festival with hula kahiko and closes it with our mākua.
10 years 
How we contribute
Our hālau's role
We dance
Every age band of our hālau performs across the day — opening with hula kahiko and weaving through the afternoon and evening with mele ʻauana.
We host
We welcome 20+ visiting hālau, Polynesian performers and dance groups from across Canada and the US — and walk every one of them onto our home stage.
By the numbers
A Decade In The Square
10Years of AlohaFest (2015 – 2026)
10,000+Guests welcomed each year
20+Visiting hālau & Pacific performers
11hrsOf programming on the 10th festival
