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KAANAPALI BEACH HOTEL HOSTS 19TH KEIKI HULA COMPETITION
10-27-2009Kaanapali Beach, Maui, Hawaii - Kaanapali Beach Hotel is proud to host the 19th year celebration of “Hula O Na Keiki”, Maui’s only keiki solo hula event held November 13-15, 2009. This popular event will feature eight halau from the Hawaiian Islands and Japan.
Hula O Na Keiki is a non-profit event, established by the staff of Kaanapali Beach Hotel in 1990. Hotel and community employees volunteer their time for the event, which promotes awareness and perpetuates Hawaiian culture through music and dance.
“Close to $15,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to the participants and kumu,” said awards chairperson, Lori Sablas. “Our awards still remain our top expense, which is possible because of generous support from our community partners like Hawaiian Airlines, Trilogy Excursions, Williams & Associates, Ulalena, Old Lahaina Luau and many others.”
Festivities begin at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, November 13th and on Saturday, November 14th with live music and entertainment throughout the day. Cultural arts and crafts for purchase both days from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m featuring a variety of artisans from Maui, Oahu, Kauai and the Big Island. Guests are encouraged to watch and partake in the cultural workshops and demonstrations like lei making, hula implement making, pahu drum carving, lauhala weaving and nose flute making.
The hula competition portion of the weekend’s festivities begins Friday at 5:00 p.m. (doors open at 4:00 p.m.), and concludes Saturday, beginning at 2:00 p.m. (doors open at 1:00 p.m.).
Open to the public, tickets for the event are going fast as last year’s competition was a sellout. Ticket outlets include Kaanapali Beach Hotel’s Ohana Fun Center and Native Intelligence at 45 Market Street in Wailuku. General admission each night is $15 for adults, $6 for keiki (12 and under) and $20 for reserved seating (sold only at Kaanapali Beach Hotel). To enjoy the show up close, get premium seats for $25.
A variety of plate lunches, salads and desserts will be available for purchase throughout the weekend. The hotel provides complimentary off-site parking with shuttle service to the hotel or guests may take advantage of valet service for $11.
Each keiki participant is required to perform twice during the competition – kahiko (ancient) and auana (modern) hula styles. The kahiko requires that dancers perform the same mele (song), however, each kumu hula’s interpretation reflects their unique style. Dancers are judged on their chanting, the execution of the dance, and the appropriateness of their costume and adornments. This year’s kahiko chants were written by Kealii Reichel.
Competitors not only vie for solo awards, but may also enter as palua, or boy & girl pairs. The auana competition also has an award for musicianship, an integral part of the performance and a real treat for the audience.
Lead by head judge Hokulani Holt, this year’s panel of distinguished cultural experts includes Leialoha Lim Amina, Tony Conjugacion, Shane Kamakaokalani “Maka” Herrod, Vicky Holt-Takamine, Charlani Kalama, Luana Kawaa, Aulii Mitchell, and Kathy Holoaumoku Ralar. Each judge is a kumu hula whose award-winning hālau have participated in competitions all over the world, and they continue to share their talents throughout the state, mainland and overseas.
Prior to competing on stage at Hula O Na Keiki, each keiki and opio (teenager) entrant has an interview with the judges, where they are asked to share their manao (thoughts) about the dances they will be performing and explain their choice of costume and adornments. The judges’ interview counts for 25% of each student’s overall score.
To purchase event tickets or for detailed information on the two-day event, call Kaanapali Beach Hotel direct at 808‑661‑0011. This year, Kaanapali Beach Hotel is proud to celebrate the 23nd anniversary of Ke Kula O Ka Pookela, the hotel’s foundational cultural education program for its employees. The 432-room Kaanapali Beach Hotel combines charming Hawaiian atmosphere with an ideal ocean front location and has been awarded Hawaii’s Best Value Hotel by the readers of Travel & Leisure magazine. The Waiaha Foundation officially recognizes Kaanapali Beach Hotel as the Most Hawaiian Hotel in the State of Hawaii, and National Geographic Traveler Magazine has recently selected the hotel for their recommended “Stay List” of hotels with unique cultural experiences. Kamaaina rates start from just $99 per night.
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