Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 3, Number 7, 1 July 1986 — Na Mele O Maui Scholarship Winners, 1986 Dates Given [ARTICLE]

Na Mele O Maui Scholarship Winners, 1986 Dates Given

Na Mele O Maui, a tribute to the culture of the Hawaiian people, has announced the awardingof $2,000 in scholarship to three Maui students. Traci Halia Berger, 1985 graduate of Hana High School, has been awarded $1,000 to continue her studies at the University of Hawaii Hilo campus where she completed her freshman year with a 3.0 grade point average. She is majoring in Hawaiian language and culture and was a 1985 Na Mele O Maui scholarship winner. Two 1986 Maui High School graduates, Jessie Kekiwi of Haiku and Noelani Kaauamo of Keanae, eaeh received $500 and will study Hawaiiana and language in college. Na Mele O Maui's 1986 three-day festival is scheduled for Nov. 7-9 in Kaanapali. TKe festival, iargest of its kind in the islands, features a song contest for all intermediate school children on Maui competing for $2,000 in cash awards; a hula festival featuring top dancers from Maui and all Hawaii; a large display of Hawaiian Arts and Crafts; and a luau featuring top entertainers in Hawaii. Sponsored by the Kaanapali Beach Operators Association, this 14th annual event will open at 9a. m. Friday, Nov. 7, with the song contest. It will be followed on

Saturday, Nov. 8, with a display of Hawaiian arts and craftsfrom 10 a. m. to2 p. m.atallKaanapali hotels. The Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival follows at 7:30 p. m. in the grand ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Maui. It will feature the dancers of Kuhai Halau O Kawaikapuokalani (Kumu Hula Frank Kawai Hewett); Hula Halau Olana (Kumu Hula Olana A'i); Aloha Pumehana O Hawaii Nei (Kumu Hula Denise Ramento; and the Halau of Nina Maxwell of Pukalani. Betsy Hinau of Maui, popular mistress ofceremonies for the Sheraton Maui's Aloha Luau, will serve in the same capacity for the festival. The three-day program ends Sunday, Nov. 9, with the closing luau and a grand stage show in the Kaanapali ballroom of the Maui Marriot Resort. Proceeds go to the scholarship fund. Among artists appearing are Rodney Arias, Jamie Lawrence, Maile Kaaiakamanu and A1 Lagunero in addition to the keikis of Hula Halau Olana and Hewett's singers and dancers. Another purpose of Na Mele O Maui is to encourage participation by loeal residents and a renewed dedication to excellence in the performing arts of the Hawaiian people.