” ‘E Aloha I Na Mea Kanu’ . . . ‘Love all things that are planted.’ ”

— this year’s theme

Clifford Nae’ole and three of his friends first planted the seed for Celebration of the Arts 27 years ago. With his constant nurturing over the decades, the event has grown to become one of the most beloved and anticipated Hawaiian cultural festivals in the state.

Mark your calendars for April 19 and 20, when this year’s Celebration of the Arts returns to put Hawaiian culture at the forefront at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua. Most of the events are free and open to the public.

As the original cultural advisor for the resort and a founder of the event, Nae’ole always brings in a sea of Hawaiian artisans, educators, filmmakers, cultural practitioners, speakers and entertainers.

This year’s poetic theme is “E Aloha I Na Mea Kanu,” Hawaiian for “Love All Things That Are Planted.”

“I chose the theme as I can grow a seed on land or I can grow an idea in someone’s mind,” Nae’ole explains. “It’s about farmers, mentors, the growth of crops, life, ancestors, thoughts, deeds and consequences.”

Nae’ole fondly reminisces that “the first seed was planted for this event by Yvonne Biegel and Linda Morgan (both formerly of the Ritz) along with legendary Hawaii recording artist Henry Kapono.

These days, Nae’ole is sole beacon, the father tree of the festival, branching out to grow new traditions, such as the super fun After Hours CD Release Party — and although the event is a month away, interest is running high to get in on the action. In fact, the early discounts on room rates have pretty much been snapped up.

“It’s grown to be bigger than me,” explains Nae’ole, who is a “hiapo,” or “the first-born of the first-born of the first-born” in a Native Hawaiian family, with a lineage that goes back to Kamehameha’s birth.

While he and his family have safeguarded, protected and advanced the Native Hawaiian culture through the decades, he would never brag about it. His hiapo info was provided by another source. Nae’ole also likes to have fun, and that’s what the After Parties in Celebration of the Arts are all about.

“Everybody’s talking about the After Parties. Ahumanu, a trio of acclaimed performers from Oahu, will bring along two of the hottest groups to play with them and three halau (hula schools) will entertain.”

That is the evening of Saturday, April 20, a full moon, by the way. The After Parties run from 8 p.m. to midnight.

“We’ll close out that After Party with Jimmy Mac and the Kool Kats,” Nae’ole enthuses. “It’s going to be a riot. Plus, it’s free. As long as you are 21 and older, you can get in and purchase drinks and food.”

While there is no cover charge for such an amazing affair, the After Party is held at the Ritz, so no wearing of tank tops or board shorts, and footwear is required.

Be prepared to stomp to the beat and energize on the dance floor. Prevent a hangover at the Rockin’ Ramen Bar with aromatic broth and filling noodles to slurp with soul-satisfying to cure all ills.

“Remember those cool glow-in-the-dark chopsticks that we had last year?” Nae’ole asks. “We’ll have those again at the Rockin’ Ramen Bar in Salon Ballrooms 3 and 4.”

At the After Party on April 19, the talented group, Vaihi, from the Tiki Bar in Waikiki, will perform.

“They actually played at Celebration of the Arts 19 years ago,” says Nae’ole. “They are so unheralded. Their harmonies are incredible. They don’t go for Hokus. They play baby luau.”

Of course, Celebration of the Arts is waaaay more about the Hawaiian culture than rocking the night away.

It all begins before the sun rises at 5:45 a.m. Friday, April 19, on the Beach House Lawn with the Hi’uwai and E ala E circle and ocean plunge. Wear swimwear and bring a towel and a desire to share an aspect of yourself with the circle of those participating.

Wehe ka ‘ipuka, “opens the gateway” in the hotel lobby at 9 a.m. that same day. Hawaiian chants and strict ceremonial protocol is embraced by the many practitioners.

“The cultural practitioners will offer prayers and state their genealogy, and it all has intent,” says Nae’ole. “Chants go directly from the sender to recipient. The recipients are all of the ancestors and the deities from Honokahua Preservation Site nearby.”

Recognized as a “wahi pana,” or “sacred site,” it is the burial ground of hundreds of Native Hawaiians that is maintained proudly by the Ritz at Kapalua Resort. It’s among the state’s largest nature preserves.

“During opening ceremonies, there should not be anything intersecting the communication path,” says Nae’ole.

“There is no picture snapping. It’s not a Hollywood set or a whimsical plot. It’s the real Hawaiian deal. Visitors stop in their tracks when they walk into the lobby and see that it’s not a performance.”

Throughout the festival, you may watch live demos, hula performances and films and hear panel discussions.

Interactive demonstrations by more than 40 artists include oli (chants), Hawaiian feather art, Ni’ihau shell lei making, ‘ohe hano iho (Hawaiian nose flute), printmaking, kapa pounding of Hawaiian bark cloth, primitive fired clay and more.

The Ni’ihau shell vendors are a sight to behold and listen to as they speak Hawaiian in soft fluent tones.

“We’ll showcase two days of films,” he says. ” ‘The Roots of ‘Ulu about breadfruit is by Matt Yamashita from Molokai who will also open the Celebration of the Arts this year.”

The “Hawaii: Message In the Waves” film was produced by BBC and will be narrated by Iokepa Nae’ole, the younger brother of Clifford.

“Cornerstones” presentation will feature four heavy hitters in the Hawaiian world. Kala Babayan-Tanaka is a daughter of Chad Babayan, the master navigator of the world-famous Hokule’a sailing vessel. Dane Uluwehi Maxwell is grandson of Charlie Maxwell, who was instrumental in the Honokahua Preservation Site. Hokulani Holt is a farmer and a leader in Hawaiian immersion language at University of Hawaii Maui College. She has planted the seed of learning. And Kumu Kamaka Kukona is renowned from the Merrie Monarch Hula Competition.

The Community Resilience panel features two women who are watchdogs on island: Tiare Lawrence, recently appointed as community director of Mahi Pono, and Mahina Martin, the community relations specialist for Maui Electric.

“It’s a panel of two women who have kept a constant vigil and sometimes battle to ensure the intentions of corporations, politicians and legislation all go to the greater good of the community.”

“If You Listen, You Shall See” talk by Richard Roshon will dive deep into the ocean realm as he’s an expert water man and environmentalist who will share tales of his time with humpback whales.

“The New Age of Looking Backwards” showcases Kyle Nakanelua and Ke’eaumoku Kapu, with seven generations of family in Hawaii.

“Kyle is a retired fireman and Ke’eaumoku is from the valley above Launiupoko. They are so humble yet so powerful and will show Lua, the zen martial arts of Hawaii. Come and listen and, hopefully you will become the keepers of the seeds in your own way.”

Besides other panels, films and hands-on art demos, the Celebration of Island Tastes on April 21 will be affordable, but filling and tasty, too.

“It’s a meet and greet and eat,” says Nae’ole. “We’ll have prix-fixe plates with fresh kalua pig straight from the imu (underground oven). Ahi poke, chicken long rice, poi, steamed rice and haupia to pack the plate.”

Food vendors will sell fare that you buy with scrip, such as UPC Boyz with guava-glazed smoked meat, others selling opihi and opae (limpets and freshwater shrimp) and squid luau. A trio of entertainers will perform.

“We could not be more delighted to celebrate the heart and soul of Hawaiian culture with our local community for the 27th consecutive year,” says Nae’ole.

* Carla Tracy can be reached at carlatracy@mauinews.com.

Celebration of the Arts fast facts:

• When: Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20.

• Highlights: Wake up to the event at 5:45 a.m. Friday, April 19 for the Hi’uwai and E ala E ceremony in the ocean, then enjoy panel discussions, films, arts and crafts and music throughout that day and the next. Most events are free and open to the public.

• Where: The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua will present events in the lobby, Hotel Theater, salons and walkways.

• Island Tastes: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 20 in the Aloha Pavilion. No entry charge. Cost of $25 per adult and $15 for keiki includes prix-fixe Hawaiian plate. You may buy more food and beverages with scrip at booths.

• After Hours: From 8 p.m. to midnight Friday, April 19, Vaihi will perform followed by DJ Scotty. Saturday, April 20, Ahumanu and Jimmy Mac and the Kool Kats will rock the house down.

• For more details: Call 669-6200 or visit www.celebrationofthearts.org.