Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 8, 1 August 1987 — Celebrating the Hawaiian in all of us [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Celebrating the Hawaiian in all of us

10th Prince Lot Festival Hailed as 'Best Ever'

By Jalna Keala Government Affairs Officer The 10th Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival July 18 at Moanalua Gardens, sponsored by the Moanalua Gardens Foundation, turned out to be a smashing success, hailed by veteran festival-goers as "the best ever." With the addition of Halau O Kekuhi of Hilo and the Kahelelani Serenaders of Niihau this year, all major islands were represented for the first time, providing a fitting tribute to the celebration of Ho'olako 1987 and an interesting and ever-changing variety of styles and hula movements for an audience that was outstanding in its reception of the performances.

Unele Tommy Kaulukukui, humble as always, received an award for notable achievement, given on occasion to individuals whose activities parallel the goals and objectives of MGF. In his acceptance speech, Unele Tommy gave a summary of the events leading to the establishment of Ho'olako. In the beautiful cathedral of trees that distinguish Moanalua and the Lot Festival, it was awesome to watch 5,000 people sitting in silent participation, clear testimony that the hula audience too, has eome of age. The subtle nuances of dance and chant were not lost but warmly appreciated, as time and again, performer and audience became one, generating a chemistry that charged the air with aloha.

Eaeh halau created its own space in a day filled with magic, but some touching moments still eome to mind: • Frances Holt rising to dance in the audience, joining daughters Vicky and Charlene and son, Albert, as they performed on stage. • Six members of the Farden family representing three generations dancing the family signature tune, "Puamana," with the Kapiolani Hula Studio of Maui. • The long and intricate group chant of the Lohiau genealogy by Halau O Kekuhi and their powerful dances to Pele.

• The excellence of Halau O Kawailiula s solo dancers despite their youthfulness. • The unusual chant style of John Kaimikaua as he broke cadence and changed key mid-canto while his Kukunaokala halau performed unique animal dances. • Weymouth Kamakana Jr., singing his own composition while his mother's Halau O Moloka'i danced. • The poise of the children of Lana'i as they eonfronted an audience twice as large as the entire population of their island. • The versatility of Kahiko Halapai Hula Alapai of Kauai as they danced, sang and played instruments without missing a beat.

• The hospitality of Kumu Hula Mililani Allen who had leis for eaeh neighbor island kumu while Halau O Mililani danced in salute to eaeh island. • The evidence that hula is alive and well in Hawaii's high schools as proven by Na Keiki O Ka Aina O Punahou, tutored by the alaka'i of Ka Pa Hula Hawaii. • The charming, shy innoeenee of three Kanahele children looking very tiny on center stage, but standing tall for Ni'ihau. • The ultimate grace and femininity of the women of Hula Halau Mohala Ilima as they chanted and danced with their Kumu Hula Mapuana deSilva.

• Finally, 60 of Palani Kahala's dancers radiating shocking pink energy as they led the audience in a joyful rendition of "Hawaii Aloha." It was indeed an anniversary unequaled in celebration of hula during this time to Celebrate the Hawaiian in all

of us — Ho'olako 1987, celebrating our heritage, people, culture and the Aloha spirit. Yes, the 10th Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival has further enriched us with such a display of talent rich in the traditions of our ancestors.

A photo of Pnnee Lot stands on the easel to the left as Moanalua Gardens Foundation directors Jalna Keala and Kevin (Chubby) Mahoe, who co-chaired the 10th annual festival bearing the Prince's name, share duties in describing the various halau. Keala is Government Affairs Officer with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Mahoe is an OHA Trustee and vice ehaieman of the External Affairs Committee.

One of the performing hula halau delights an estimated 5,000 people in attendance.