Kia also hopes that the Hula Ho‘olauna Aloha and the Waikiki performance will help to restore enjoyment of hula in a noncompetitive environment. “These are the people that perpetuate it in its simplest, most spiritual form.” “The display and the works of these kumu hula on Sunday is exciting because this is the true essence of our hula,” Kia said. Sunday’s participating kumu hula are influential veterans of the art form, who will also be featured as judges in the upcoming competition, Kia said.įeatured kumu hula and their halau are Leialoha Amina, Ed Collier with Halau Hula o na Pua Kukui, Sonny Ching and Lopaka Igarta with Halau Hula Na Mamo o Pu‘uanahulu, Maelia Carter with Halau Hula ka Ua Noe o Wa‘ahila, and Lehua Kawaikapuokalani Hewett. as a part of Waikiki Beachwalk’s monthly Mele Hali‘a. The Sunday performance will feature both the traditional kahiko- and modern auana-style dances. It’s just raw, organic, traditional hula, the way it needs to be.” “They get to see all those blends of what Hawaii really looks like - what our faces truly look like,” Kia said. Prior to COVID-19, halau would travel from throughout Japan to Honolulu to compete, while workshops and seminars allowed Japanese and Hawaii participants to interact, Kia said.Īlthough Sunday’s performers will not compete in the virtual festival, including their performance gives viewers in Japan an opportunity to witness the art in its most traditional form, he said. Sunday’s performance will be filmed to be included in the upcoming virtual festival, which is scheduled for Oct. However, COVID-19 will require it to take place virtually for a third consecutive year. The annual hula festival and competition first started in 2002, and it usually spans three days. “Hula Ho‘olauna helps us to really focus on the true essence of what hula is,” he said, “so that they’re not just learning in the physical aspect, but they’re learning in the emotional aspect and the mental aspect.” Kia also has been a kumu hula for more than 30 years in Honolulu and on the mainland. So Hula Ho‘olauna helps to change that mentality.” “Competitions in general can be very political,” Kia said. The event will be a rare opportunity for visitors and locals to experience the traditional spirit behind the art form, said Blaine Kia, cultural entertainment director for Waikiki Beachwalk. The Waikiki Beachwalk event emphasizes harmony and friendliness among competitors under the united cause of perpetuating the art of hula. Five of Hawaii’s kumu hula and their halau will appear Sunday in Japan’s annual Hula Ho‘olauna Aloha Festival.

Paina o waikiki hula