Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 23, Number 5, 1 Mei 2006 — HOME OF THE HULA [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HOME OF THE HULA

By Sterling Kini Weng Publicatiūns Editur

According to Moloka'i oral traditions, hula originated at a plaee called Ka'ana, at the summit of Mauna Loa on the island's west side. For five generations, however, the art form never left the confines of a family hālau on the mountain, until a woman named Laka defied her 'ohana's vow of secrecy and spread hula throughout the islands. Every year, hula enthusiasts gather on Moloka'i to honor Laka and to celebrate the legendary birthplace of the dance at the Moloka'i Ka Hula Piko Festival. The event was first started in 1990 by the Moloka'i Visitors Association and kumu hula John Kaimikaua, and it has since turned into the island's largest tourist event.

In the week prior to the festival, Kaimikaua, along with members of his Hālau Hula o Kukunaokala, will lecture about Laka and her contributions to hula. A pre-dawn ceremony at Ka'ana kicks off the festival itself, whieh this year will be held on May 20. Then participants make their way down to Pāpōhaku Beach for a ho'olaule'a featuring hula performances, cultural demonstrations, crafts and food booths. Entertainment will be provided by Robi Kahakalau, John Cruz Jr., Jeff Rasmussen and various hālau hula, including Kaimikaua's. The festival also represents an opportunity to support Moloka'i's economy, with most of the crafters and food vendors hailing from the island. E3

Moloka'i Ka Hula Piko Festival Sat., May 20, 9 a.m. Pāpōhaku Beach, Kaluako'i Kumu hula John Kaimikaua lectures: Thu., May 18 & Fri., May 19, time TBA Kūlana 'Ōiwi Complex Hālau, Kalama'ula For more information, eall the Moloka'i Visitors Association at 808-553-3876 or visit molokaievents.com.

'Telling Our Own Story' Sat„ May 6, 1 1 a.m. Scholar Guy Kaulukukui discusses the īmportance of presenting the native voice in the īnterpretatīon of Hawaiian culture. Free. Doris Duke Theatre, O'ahu. 5328/00. Nō Mele o Hawai'i Fri„ May 12, 7:30 p.m. The Beamer famīly halau, dīrected by Maile Loo, perform to celebrate the closing of the Honolulu Academy of Arts' "Life in the Pacific" exhibit. $20. Doris Duke Theatre, O'ahu. 532-8/00. Hapa Haole Festival Fri„ May 12, 5:30 p.m. Featuring ū concert ond clossic film screenings, olong with hulo ond vocal competitions. $35. Hole Koa Hotel, O'ohu. www.hopohoolefest.org. /54-2301. Hawaiian weapons Sat„ May 13, 1 1 a.m. La'akea Suganuma of the lua group Pū Ku'i-A-Holo discusses and displays various weopons of traditional warfare, including speors, daggers and clubs. Free. Doris Duke Theatre, O'ahu. 532-8/00. Ka Ulu Lauhala o Kona May 17-21 Louhūlū weavers from throughout Howoi'i gather ūt the Kona Village Resort for this llth onnual cultural conference. For details, eall 808-322-/9// Pūnana Leo o Wai'anae concert Sat„ May 20, 7 p.m. A benefit show feoturing Koa 'Uko, Kowoo, B.EI, the keiki of Pūnono Leo o Woi'onoe ond others. The event will help raise funds to build o new ployground for the school. Tickets for adults (ages 13 ond up) ore $12 pre-sale, $15 ot the door. Keiki (6-12): $6 pre-sale, $8 ot the door. Howoiion Woters Adventure Park, O'ahu. 620-9052. Nō Hoku Hanohano Awards Wed„ May 31, 7:30 p.m. The Howoi'i Acodemy of Recording Arts recognizes the islonds' best recording ortists of the past yeor. Hilton Howoiion Villoge Bollroom. Broodcost live on KFVE, ehonnel 5.

NĀ HANANA • EVENTS

With live entertainment and hula performances, Moloka'i Kū HuIū Piko has heeome the island's biggest cultural event. Photos: JeffJumper