Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 12, 1 December 1987 — Na Mele O Maui Highlights Keikis, Culture, Hula Festival, Ohana During 15th Annual Celebrations [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Na Mele O Maui Highlights Keikis, Culture, Hula Festival, Ohana During 15th Annual Celebrations

By Kenny Haina, Editor Ka Wai Oia O OHA

A balanced mixture of keikis, teens, adults and kupuna embracing four hula halau combined to thrill more than 3 ,000 spectators Nov. 2 1 at the Aunty Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival in the Monarchy Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Maui in Kaanapali. It was the second major event in the 15th Annual Na Mele O Maui three-day festival whieh was climaxed with the first Ohana Ho'olaule'a the following afternoon at the Lahaina Civic Center.

Ihis years festival featured Aunty tmmas own Kapiolani Hula Studio; Nina and Charles Maxwell's Halau Pukalani Hula Hale; Elaine Kaopuiki's Halau Na Hula O La'i Kealoha from Lana'i and Johnny Lum Ho of Hilo with his Hula Halau Ka Ua Kani Lehua and Halau O Kauakana Lehua Keiki. Featured with Lum Ho's halau was Lisa Ku'uipo Doi, 1987 Merrie Monarch Festival Miss Aloha Hula winner. Miss Doi, who was also the 1979 Miss Keiki Hula winner, thrilled the audience with her interpretations of hula kahiko. Aunty Emma treated the crowd to a very special appearance by four of her original dancers who are now all kupuna — Shirley Wilson, Lilinoe Sabala, Leimomi Perreira and Ella Cosma. The Kapiolani halau had its start in 1932 with just three students and Aunty Emma is still active today in teaching the hula.

In addition to the hula festival, there were many other activities during the day Nov. 21 to keep kamainas and malihinis busy. The Kaanapali Beach Hotel hosted the Ho'ike'ike O Ka Wa Kahiko or ancient Hawaiian crafts and demonstrations. It featured poi pounding, feather lei making, quilting, lei making, hula implements and other ancient crafts. There were hula performances and entertainment throughout the day. Kona artist Edwin Kayton was also on hand in the hotel lobby to autograph copies of a commemorative poster, an original oil painting of Unele Ned Lindsey, daughter and Kauai Kumu Hula Roselle Lindsey Bailey and granddaughter Lahela Lindsey. Members of the Na Mele O Maui committee wanted to capture a Hawaiian family sharing the music passed down from their kupuna, aunties and tutus — a family involved in passing the knowledge and beauty that is Hawaii's music. That Kayton captured this idea is vividly portrayed in his painting. Kayton's pen and peneil sketchings are also outstanding. His emphasis is on the Hawaiian personality. He has also sculpted in clay, plaster, koa and monkeypod.

A late program addition that day was "Hawaiian Elegance," a cultural experience staged in the hotel's Plantation Room during a lueheon buffet. It featured Gloria Ann Akau and her women from Kamuela, Hawaii, in a sparkling show depicting Hawaii's fashions from the misssionary days through the monarchial period and into modern times. All styles of holokus, muumuus and other garments Hawaiian women wore down through the years passed in review. Many of the garments and accessories wom for the show are original prized possessions. This was only the second neighbor island appearance for the group arid the first on Maui. Their first neighbor island presentation was in September at the Ala Moana Shopping Center.

The Ohana Ho'olaule'a was a six-hour program of great entertainment performed by a lineup of some of Hawaii's best loved families of music, song and dance. It was a fun and exciting day for the entire family whieh also offered a wide variety of foods, refreshments and activities. The lineup included Elaine Kaopuiki's halau; the Tripp family and Ōliver Kelly and family from Hawaii; Kaholokulas from Kauai; Dudoits from Molokai; Soundettes (Mai'o) family of Oahu; and Paleka, Kekona, Kahaiali'i families of Maui, including the Kahelelanis. Alaka'i Paleka of Lahaina's only FM (95.3) Hawaiian radio station kept the program moving as mistress of ceremonies.

Na Mele O Maui is sponsored by the Kaanapali Beach Operators Association headed by John Karl. Profits from the three-day festival are used for scholarships to assist Maui County high school students who are interested in furthering their knowledge of the Hawaiian eulture through higher education. Committees, entertainers and dedicated volunteers who make up the Na Mele O Maui ohana are committed to this purpose.

Kumu Hula Elaine Kaopuiki's dancers from Lanai thrill the overfiow crowd.

These four original dancers from Kapiolani Hula Studio give rare performance.

Lisa Ku'uipo Doi, 1987 Miss Aloha Hula, in one of her dances.

Pearl Ululani Kanakaole Garmon in a regal appearanee during Hawaiian Elegance cultural program at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel.