Coming Up – 6th Annual Moku O Keawe International Festival Cultural Workshops Celebrate Hula and the Arts

The 6^th Annual Moku O Keawe International Hula Festival comes to life at Waikoloa Beach Resort, November 3-5, with international hula competition, a Made-in-Hawai‘i Marketplace and more. One of Hawaii’s biggest hula events, Moku O Keawe offers an educational, entertaining and engaging experience for everyone.

International hula competition, Thursday-Saturday, November 3-5, Waikoloa Bowl at Queens’ Gardens.   Moku O Keawe brings together hālau from Hawai‘i, Japan, and the U.S. Mainland with top caliber hula competition in the areas of Hula Kahiko and Hula ‘Auana.

• Kahiko competition, Thursday, November 3, 5:30 p.m.
• Kupuna competition and awards, Friday, November 4, 5:30 p.m.
• ‘Auana competition and awards, Saturday, November 5, 5:30 p.m.

Affordable for everyone, Moku O Keawe tickets are only $5 Lawn seating, $15 Reserved. (Beach chairs and mats welcomed!)

Hawai‘i Marketplace.  Friday and Saturday November 4 and 5, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.  The Made-In-Hawaii Marketplace features some of the best products from the Island of Hawaii.  Hula implements, fresh lei, silk-screened clothing, woven lauhala hats and purses and jewelry, are some of the offerings at the special marketplace.

Cultural Workshops, November 3-5.  The competition judges are asked to share their knowledge through workshops.  As masters, their insights and experiences are offered on a personal basis, allowing participants an opportunity to learn about hula kahiko and hula ‘auana, as the various lineages of the kumu hula are unique forms in style, repertoire, and interpretation.  Registration is limited and students are urged to register early by visiting www.MOKIF.org.

• Workshop #1:  “Ko Ma‘i Ho‘eu‘eu” – Hula Ipu Heke Ole/Hula ‘Auana:  Nalani Kanakaole, Competition Judge.  Thursday, November 4, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.  “Ko Ma‘i Ho’eu‘eu” was composed for King Kalākaua.  The mele ma‘i honors the King and one of his popular mottos: “Ho‘ulu Lāhui” or “Increase the Race.”  The use of the ipu in choreography adds percussion by the dancer.  As a hula teacher for over fifty years, she is widely known as a difficult choreographer, affording the student of hula ‘auana with many challenges.  This three-hour class is limited to 50 students, with a donation of $50 for the three-hour hula workshop.
• Workshop #2:  Hula Workshop: Leialoha Amina, Competition Judge.  Friday, November 4, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.  Limited to 50 participants.  Information will be provided soon.  A donation of $50.00 includes class instruction.
• Workshop #3:  “Manu ‘O‘o” – Hula ‘Auana:  Iwalani Kalima, Competition Judge.  Saturday, November 5, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.  A favored love song, this hula speaks of Hilo Hanakahi, the kanilehua rain, and the lehua clusters.  Harry Na‘ope, grandfather of George Na‘ope, penned this mele ho‘oipoipo. Iwalani Kalima comes from the very talented Kalima ‘ohana, known for their leo nahenahe.  In addition to “Manu ‘O‘o,” the student will learn “Ka Manu,” as the ka‘i and ho‘i for the stage performance. A donation of $50 includes instructions for the three-hour hula workshop.
• Workshop #4:  “Palisa” – Hula ‘Auana Workshop: Nani Lim Yap, Kumu Hula.  Thursday, November 3, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.   Nani, a gifted singer, hula dancer, ‘ukulele player and one of the Kumu Hula of the award-winning Hula Hālau Nā Lei O Kaholoku, is one of the “sweet angelic voices” of the popular musical family – the Lim Family of Kohala. “Palisa,” a song written by Kuana Torres, is a contemporary hula, as the song has just been released this year. The three-hour class is limited to 50 students. A donation of $50 includes instructions for the three-hour hula workshop.
• Workshop #5:  Wahi Pana: Kalahuipua‘a – Huaka‘i to South Kohala:  Kaniela and Anna Akaka.  Friday, November 4.  Departure: 10 a.m., Return: approximately 2 p.m.  The Kalahuipua‘a Fishponds are the spiritual center of Mauna Lani Resort.  The seven ponds—Kalahuipua‘a, Kahinawao, Waipuhi, Waipuhi Iki, Hope‘ala, Milokukahi and Manoku—were used to raise fish and supplement ocean fishing. Daniel Akaka and his wife Anna, ambassadors of aloha, will direct the excursion of the famed site.  This excursion begins at Waikoloa Beach Marriott with a bus shuttle departure at 10 a.m.  A donation of $45.00 includes tour, historical facts, bus fees and box lunch.
• Workshop #6:  Pa‘u La‘i – Ti Leaf Skirt: Kika Nohara.  Friday, November 4, 1-4 p.m.  In hula, only the green ti plant is used in making lei, skirts, and in ritual. Kika Nohara, a dancer with Hālau O Kekuhi and is ranked a kumu through ‘uniki rites, will teach the hālau style of making the fresh green skirt. The three-hour hands-on workshop will share techniques and the preparation of the leaves. A kit will be provided to each participant.  A donation of $50 includes instruction and all supplies including all ti leaves.
• Workshop #7:  Ipu Heke ‘Ole – Hula Gourd Instrument:  Kalim and Kuuleialoha Smith.  Thursday, November 3; 1-4 p.m.  Implements are extensions of the body.  In ‘auana, the ipu heke ‘ole (single gourd), is held in one hand and tapped, swirled, and positioned within the choreography to enhance and illustrate the story lines. Kalim and Kuuleialoha Smith grow the ipu on lands of their forefathers.  Select an ipu and create a percussion instrument that will last a lifetime! Class size is limited due to the number of gourds available.  Only 25 students will have a selection of ipu.  A donation of $75 includes a complete ipu heke kit and classroom instructions.  (A hula workshop with the ipu heke ‘ole will be taught by Nalani Kanakaole the following day.)
• Workshop #8:  Ipu Heke – Hula Gourd Instrument:  Kalim and Kuuleialoha Smith.  Thursday and Friday, November 3 and 4.  9 a.m.-12 p.m. both days.  The ipu heke is one of the percussion instruments of the hula kahiko.  Kalim and Kuuleialoha Smith grow the ipu on lands of their forefathers.  They have grown and made some of the most perfect instruments in modern times. Class size is limited due to the number of gourds available.  Only 25 students will have a selection of ipu.  A donation of $135 includes a complete ipu heke kit and classroom instructions.

The Moku O Keawe International Festival is sponsored by the Moku O Keawe Foundation, a private nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing, enriching and educating the practice and development of hula and its associated arts. For information and tickets to events, visit www.MOKIF.com

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Amy Hānaiali‘i Sunday, November 8 at the Waikoloa Bowl

Media Release:

In a special appearance under the stars, Ms. Amy Hānaiali‘i performs her special blend of Hawaiian music Sunday, November 8 in the Waikoloa Bowl at Queens’ Gardens, as part of the Moku O Keawe International Festival.  Her concert caps off the celebration of hula and related arts during “Hō‘ike,” a traditional presentation, where the Festival’s workshop students share what they have learned.

The Hō‘ike begins at 6:00 p.m. with hula, chant, and songs played on traditional Hawaiian musical instruments such as pūniu (knee drum), ‘ohe hanu ihu (nose flute) and ‘ulī‘ilī (gourd rattles).  The program continues with Ms. Amy Hānaiali‘i in concert at 7:00 p.m.

Multi-talented musician, singer and entertainer Amy Hānaiali‘i has released 10 albums in her sparkling career, earning 3 Grammy nominations and 15 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards (including Female Vocalist of the Year 4 times).  She is officially “Hawaii’s Music Ambassador” as proclaimed by Governor Linda Lingle, and has opened for legendary stars like Carlos Santana, Willie Nelson, Joe Cocker, Wayne Newton, Arlo Guthrie, The Beach Boys, Ernie Watts, Boz Scaggs, Earth, Wind and Fire, Sergio Mendes and many more.  Her second album, “Hawaiian Tradition” was the first Hawaiian Language album placed on the World Billboard Charts.

“We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect performer to close the 2009 Moku O Keawe festivities,” says event Moku O Keawe Foundation CEO Margo Mau Bunnell. “Her incredible talents and her deep commitment to the living Hawaiian culture take the event to the next level.  We hope everyone will come to be inspired by the Hō‘ike students and enchanted by Amy’s concert.”

Tickets for the Hō‘ike/Concert November 8 are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.  Keiki 4 and under are free.

The Moku O Keawe International Festival November 5-8 at Waikoloa Beach Resort is a celebration of hula and the arts of hula, including competition in kahiko, kupuna and ‘auwana, cultural workshops and made-in-Hawaii marketplace.  The Festival is sponsored by the Moku O Keawe Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to enhancing, enriching and educating the practice and development of hula and its associated arts.  Its focus is to build, strengthen and inspire the living cultural traditions of Hawaii.

Major supporters of the Moku O Keawe International Festival include Hawaii Tourism Authority, Waikoloa Beach Resort, Louis Vuitton, Big Island Candies, County of Hawaii, Sig Zane Designs, Kathy Long, Sushi Shiono, Big Island Visitors Bureau, Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Pacific Radio Group (KAPA), Kintetsu International Hawaii, Waimea Music Center, Kona Deep, Bausch & Lomb-Japan.

For information and tickets to events, visit www.MokuOKeawe.org