Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 13, Number 10, 1 October 1996 — Hula o Nā Keiki showcases Maui's best [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hula o Nā Keiki showcases Maui's best

Hula o Nā Keiki, Maui's only solo hula competition for ehildren will be held in the Plantation room of the Kā'anapali Beach Hotel, on October 18 and 19. It is part of a three day Aloha Festival celebration that includes workshops, arts, crafts and entertainment on the hotel grounds. Doors open for the hula competition at 5 p.m. On Friday, Oct. 18, and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19. The competition attracts 14 hālau and 41 children from the islands of Kaua'i, O'ahu, Lāna'i, Maui, Hawai'i and the mainland. With the goal of helping to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture in our youth, Hula o Nā Keiki eombines the traditions of old and

new. Eaeh contestant performs an ancient and a modern hula, as well as an original Maui chant. An overall male and female winner is chosen at the competitions end. " Hula o Nā Keiki has evolved into being a very prestigious and unique competition," according to Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, competition judge and composer of many of the Maui chants provided to the hālau for the event. "The idea was to eompose kahiko-like chants with traditional themes, brought up to contemporary times, that teach a lesson to the children whieh ean be applied to their everyday lives."

The children have an opportunity to leam about historical sites

on Maui when they leain an original chant about the site and get to visit it. The judges include Kawaikapuokalani, George Holokai, Puakea Nogelmeier, Uluwehi Guerrero, Nani LimYap, Nathan Kalama, and Kahili Cummings. Hula o Nā Keiki ticket prices for adults are $10 per night or $18 for both nights. Keiki aged 12 and under are admitted for $5 per night or $8 for both nights. Reserved tickets are $!5 per night

at the Kā'anapali Beach Hotel. Tickets are available at the following locations: Lahaina — Kā'anapali Beach Hotel, Kramer's Mens Wear at Lahaina Cannery Mall; Makawao — 01a's; Kahului — Palm's Travel at Ka'ahumanu Center; Kihei — Postal Connection. For more information eall the Kā'anapali Beach Hotel at (808) 661-0011.