Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 3, Number 8, 1 ʻAukake 1986 — Whole Lot of Hula at Prince Lot Festival [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Whole Lot of Hula at Prince Lot Festival

By Gail K. L. Levy Researcher/Writer Moanalua Gardens Foundation

A lot of hula was dished out July 19 to satisfy the eonfirmed hulaolics and to delight novice mainland visitors during the ninth annual Pnnee Lot Hula Festival held at the Moanalua Gardens hula mound. It was a clear but hot day as more than 6,000 people thrilled to the dancing and singing of 12 halau. At least one-half of the crowd jockeyed for eool positions under the shade of the monkeypods. Most brought coolers, pienie lunches, mats, webbed chairs, simple backrests and whatever comfortable furniture they could carry. Cameras were in great abundanee and a tradition was continued with the dispensing of free iee water for Moanalua was known as a rest stop between Honolulu and Ewa. Picture Moanalua as a plaee of refreshment. Theme of the 1986 festival was " 'A'ohe pau ka 'ike i ka halau ho'okahi" (all knowledge is not taught in the same school; one ean leam from many sources.) Personal mele and styles, with recognition of and aloha for others, prevailed. There were halau dancing on the grass mound in the Gardens for the first time, like Roselle Bailey's Kahiko Halapa'i Hula Alapa'i from Kauai and Keoni Jenny's Halau Hula O Kawai-maluhia. Others had danced there for many years, like John Lake's and John Kaimikaua's. But even those kumu hula who had participated in previous festivals used the event as a learning experience for their haumana who watched other dancers perform and experienced the butterflies of public performance themselves. Victoria Holt Takamine warned the audience that if they did not elap for her very newest students dancing for the first time in public, the girls might not want to continue studying hula. One of the many delightful, spontaneous moments of the day was Elaine Kaopuiki of Lana'i who wouldn't tell the audience her age while dancing with three-year-old granddaughter La'i.

The kumu were not only encouraged to bring thier students with varying abilities and experiences, but also to select their favorite dances, kahiko and auwana, and mele-chants about beautiful places and important battles on their home islands, favorite ali'i and monarchs and tributes to Kamehameha V and Moanalua. Some kumu paid more personal tributes to their teachers and inspirations with songs closely associated with these individuals. Coline Aiu sang her mother's songs and Palani Kahala did a Beamer medley. Some kumu were even present to listen to their own compositions being chanted by other kumu at the festival. Sarah Kalauawa, whose ancestors were chanters and resided in Moanalua, chose a mele that described the mists of Moanalua composed by John Kaha'i Topolinski who also has family ties to the area. Rachel Kamakana's women interpreted Mililani Allen's mele about a special creative moment she experienced at Ka'ana, Molokai, birthplace of the hula.

In tune with 1986 as an election year, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs set up and manned a voter registration table to register more thatn 200 new voters. OHA staff members, who are authorized deputy registrars, included Annelle C. Amaral, administrative assistant; Winona Spillner, secretary; and Robert Freitas of the land department. OHA's participation in this year's festival also included Jalna Keala, a director of the MGF board of directors and OHA government and community affairs officer,

who did an outstanding job of narrating with Kevin (Chubby) Mahoe, director of the Hula Academy at St. Andrews Cathedral. This free celebration of the Hawaiian culture, the Gardens ' biggest event of the year, could only be produced annually with the kokua of many individuals and organizations. Eaeh year the halau generously donate their time and talent, raising funds through various ehieken sales and beer busts. Although not on center stage, Agnes K. Cope's Wai'anae Coast Culture and Arts and the Queen Emma Hawaiian Civic Club also faithfully offer displays and demonstrations of the Hawaiian culture — pounding poi, weaving lauhala and rolling 'ulu maika. About 160 MGF volunteers, many who suddenly appear at the office only onee a year, work hard on the Foundation's longest day. Also behind the scenes and helping out greatly are grants given by OHA, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, through appropriations from the state legislature and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. Use and maintenance of Moanalua Gardens is generously offered by the trustees and staff of the Samuel M. Damon Estate. Plans for next year's Prince Lot Hula Festival are already under way. It is scheduled for July 18 and is expected to be the biggest ever because it wili have a very special meaning as it becomes a part of OHA's "Ho'olako 1987" celebration of the Year of the Hawaiian. It will also mark the 10th anniversary of the festival.

Nalani 01ds Napoleon, right, prepares to accept gift from Jalna Keala. left, who served as co-narrator of the festival with Kevin (Chubby) Mahoe, center. Mrs. Napoleon was honored for her many years of service to Moanalua Gardens Foundation and the festival, having chaired it for several years.

A familiar eouple strolls the grounds of Moanalua Gardens during the Prince Lot Hula Festival. Mother and son — Mrs. Agnes K. Cope and Office of Hawaiian Affairs Administrator Kamaki A. Kanahele III — were among the thousands who enjoyed the all day program. Mrs. Cope, who is executive director of the Waianae Culture and Arts, is also treasurer of the sponsoring Moanalua Gardens Foundation.

Dancers of Kumu Hula John Kaimikaua's Halau Hula 'O Kukuna'okala in one of their numbers.

Kumu Hula Elaine Kaopuiki (with glasses) and Solomon Kaho'ohalahala sing for their halau dancers, Na Hula 'O La'i Kealoha from Lanai.

MGF volunteers Vince Mahoney and Cherylene Chong checking various aspects of eaeh halau. Check some of the crowd in background, including a yawning keiki, a probable early riser.