Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 11, 1 November 1987 — 15th Annual Na Mele O Maui Features Keiki Songfest, Hula Festival, Ohana Hoʻolauleʻa [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

15th Annual Na Mele O Maui Features Keiki Songfest, Hula Festival, Ohana Hoʻolauleʻa

Na Mele O Maui's 15th Annual program Nov. 20-22 at Kaanapali and Lahaina is being based on the ohana concept as the committee planning the three-day celebration reaches out into the families. "May the Songs of Maui Live Forever for the Children" is the theme of this year's observance whieh has lost its general chairman and the managing director of the sponsoring Kaanapali Beach Operators Association.

John Karl, manager of the Sheraton Mauiand KBOA president, has been temporarily filling the two slots vacated by Mike White, general manager of the Kaanapali Beach Hotel, and Lori Sablas, KBOA managing director, who is now at Wailea. White is at Sun Valley, Idaho. The three-day program opens at 9 a. m. Friday, Nov. 20, with the Keiki Song Competition at the Westin Maui Ballroom. There are 18 entries in the various categories in this year's songfest. Two new attractions have been added to the song contest. Sam Kamaka of Kamaka and Sons Ukulele will

have an exhibit of his craft and Bishop Museum will feature its floating exhibit. A Hawaiian crafts fair featuring exhibits and demonstrations of crafts of the old days is on tap from 10 a. m. to 2 p. m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel. Entertainment is included. The Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival is also scheduled Nov. 21 at 7:30 p. m. in the Hyatt Regency Monarch Ballroom. The Festival lineup includes Johnny Lum Ho and his Hula Halau Ka Ua Kani Lehua from Hawaii, featuring 1987 Miss Aloha Hula Lisa Doi; Elaine Kaopuiki's Halau Na Hula O La'i Ke Aloha from Lanai; and Maui's own Nina Maxwell and Aunty Emma's Kaoiolani Hula Halau.

It will be a Festival first on Sunday, Nov. 22, when KBOA stages the Ohana Ho'olaule'a from 11 a. m. to 5 p. m. at the Lahaina Civic Center. There will be virtually non-stop entertainment from such families as the Dudoits, Molokai; Kahelelani, Niihau; Kaholokulas, Kauai; Soundettes, Oahu; Kekonas, Palekas and Kahaiali'i's from Maui; 01iver Kelly and family and the Tripps from Hawaii.

Admissions for the Hula Festival are $10 for table seating and $5 theatre style. The Ho'olaule'a admission is $5 per family. A commemorative poster by noted Kona artist Edward Kayton featuring Hawaii's Lindsey family will be a feature of the Sunday Ho'olaule'a. Tickets are avai!able through the House of Music at Kaahumanu Center; Air, Land and Sea in Kihei Town Center; Aloha Activities Center; Fantasy Island, JR's Music; or at telephones 661-3271 and 661-3398. Office of Hawaiian Affairs Maui Trustee Manu Kahaialii has been the erstwhile master of ceremonies for the Keiki Song Contest and is among the many volunteers and KBOA board members who ean be found invo!ved with other chores. He'll be there onee more to pitch in wherever needed. Any profit is earmarked for Maui County students desiring higher education with particular interest in art, music, dance and architecture relating to Hawaii and its history.

The students of Kumu Hula Mahana Kaiama's Halau Hula Na Mamoali'i O Kauiki are shown here during their 1986 performance at the Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival whieh this year is being held on Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Hyatt Regency Maui. This event draws standing room crowds every year.

The Keiki Song Competition on Friday, Nov. 20, at the Westin Maui kicks off the weekend of Hawaiian events designed to educate and entertain both residents and visitors alike.