Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 6, 1 June 2010 — Keeping the Keiki Hula tradition alive [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Keeping the Keiki Hula tradition alive

OHA continues its role as title

sponsor

By Francine Murray KaWai Ola

When Aloha Airlines r, business in the spring of 2008 the community grieved for its loss, with eoneem for the loyal employees who heeame our friends, the warm-hearted service

with Aloha we were accustomed to, and the industry competition it provided. For many, it was like the loss of a loved one. In the following summer, another eoneem overcame a part of the Hawaiian community. Aloha Airlines used to be the title sponsor of the annual Queen Lili'uokalani Keiki Hula Competition, funding most of the Keiki Hula event from the facility rental, staging and lighting to the television broadcast. The hula community wondered, Was it in danger of being lost as well? Fortunately, Jan Itagaki, who has been with Kalihi-Pālama Culture and Arts Society (KPCA) for 34 years, brought this to the attention of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, who answered the eall for support. OHA has been the title sponsor ever since, and provided $35,000 in 2010 to help keep the festival alive. "We are indeed very grateful that OHA stepped up to support our ehildren's hard work and dedication to the hula traditions of Hawai'i," Itagaki said. "Without their kōkua, we wouldn't have been able to broadcast the Queen

Lili'uokalani Keiki Hula Competition, and provide the opportunity for our youngsters to share their hula and to relive their moment on TV."

It all started as the brainchild of Wendell Silva, the former executive director of KPCA. He created a committee to start a competition for kids, and asked the late George Nā'ope to chair the event. Nā'ope was a renowned hula practitioner, who with his experience establishing the Merrie Monarch wrote the rules of this children's competition. The first Keiki Hula competition was in September of 1976, a portion of a very larae

Festival for Queen Lili'uokalani at 'A'ala Park, whieh was rich and lively with Hawaiian performances, games and crafts. The keiki competed in the pavilion that afternoon, followed by a pageant of queens and kings in a royal court. Today, this special cultural children's three-day event includes 25 hālau, 22 of whieh are from Hawai'i and three from Japan. Six years ago a group from Japan wanted to bring the Keiki Hula eompetition there. After an agreement with KPCA, the keiki competition expanded overseas with a Japanese version that is an elimination competition, forwarding the top three groups to the main event in Hawai'i. The soloists compete on Thursday night: keiki kāne, the young men, contend for the Master Keiki Hula title, and kaikamāhine, the girls, vie for the Miss Keiki Hula title. On Friday, the children will perform the traditional, hula kahiko, and on Saturday, the modern, hula 'auana, competition wraps up the event. Awards for eaeh segment are presented daily. ■

35th annual Queen Lili'uokalani Keiki Hula Competition Neil Blaisdell Arena Thurs.-Sat., July 8-10 Tickets available atthe Blaisdell box office July 3. Reserved seating $13.50 adults, $11 keiki, general $10.50 Broadcasts July 23 and 24 on KITV4 521-6905 or KeikiHula@ msn.com

2009 Miss Keiki Hula Breeze Ann Pavao. - Photos: Elaine Fergerstrom