Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 31, Number 9, 1 Kepakemapa 2014 — Perpetuating the culture while building confidence [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Perpetuating the culture while building confidence

By Francine Kananionapua Murray

Congratulations to all 19 hālau that participated this year and kudos to the two very charming winning soloists in the 39th annual Queen Lili'uokalani Keiki Hula Competition. Kamaka Leao Kaleionapali Ho'opi'i is the 2014 Master Hula and Keolani Hokule'akeaouli Hosino is Miss Keiki Hula, both under the instruction of nā kumu hula 'Iliahi and Haunani Paredes of Hālau Kekuaokalā'au'ala'iliahi on Maui. "After the event, you could see the children in the wings of the stage and the mothers, the fathers . . . all of the family members looking on - so proud of them," recalled Guy Sibilla, the new president of Kalihi-Pālama Culture and Arts Society, the nonprofit that organizes the event. "When those kids get on the stage - 1 cannot believe some of them are as young as 4, and I think the winners were 10 or 1 1, but when you are that young and you ean command the presence of a

KEIKI HULA

stage that big, it's magic to me. "How could you not only fall in love with hula, but also love the fact that these children are so talented at such a young age? I was still trying to tie my shoelaces at 4 years old. ... It's such a great example of what inspiration, encouragement and dedication, discipline and hard work ean do. These kumu are magicians and they are tireless in what they give to these kids. It is inspiring and it is enough to make your eyes water." As a valued part of the eommunity, Keiki Hula has offered many youth their first experience in hula competition, and now that the event is almost four decades old we are reminded that many of the children that have participated in the past are now confident adults. "Listening to my kumu and dancing with my hula sisters every weekend taught me firsthand about teamwork, diseipline and study," said KITV4 weather anchor Moanike'ala Nabarro. "We studied a lot in hula - history and the meaning behind eaeh mele we performed. I think these are all great skills for children to take in. For me, Keiki Hula was a wonderful experience that will always stay with me." In 2015 the Queen Lili'uokalani

Keiki Hula Competition will celebrate its 40th anniversary, and Sibilla envisions developing it into

a world-class summer event on O'ahu mueh like the Merrie Monarch Festival is in Hilo. It

may not happen in a year, but the society envisions a festive environment rich with activity

like kapa making, music and * cultural arts and crafts eaeh day before the competition. Organizers would also like to see short Keiki Hula demonstrations on various stages in WaikM, not only to give children additional opportunities to perform in puhlie and build their i

confidence and experience, but to increase awareness of the event, increase participation and grow J

the competition's audience, whieh is currently made up of the performers' friends and families. "This huge cultural event does such a great service to our eommunity," said Sibilla. "It creates an atmosphere that provides a child with self-confidence, positive selfimage, a sense of achievement, discipline and goal orientation - all these things that will help them succeed in life." Kalihi-Pālama Culture and Arts Society is working to strengthen its partnerships with the Hawai'i Tourism Authority and Hawaiian Airlines to help expand Keiki Hula's presence for kama'āina and visitors alike. The society's principal goal is to perpetuate the culture and the arts, and it primarily serves underprivileged residents of the Kalihi-Pālama area, offering dance classes and after-school activities for youth. For information about the society and Keiki Hula, visit kpea hawaii.com, eall (808) 521-6905 oremailinfo@kpcahawaii.com. ■

201 4 Master Hula Kamaka Leao Kaleionapali Ho'opi'i, and Miss Keiki Hula Keolani Hokule'akeaouli Hosino, left, both hail from Maui's Hālau Kekuaokalā'au'ala'iliahi [ . » i , led by nā kumu

hula 'lliahi and Haunani Paredes. - Photos: James Kimo Garrett, 2014 , Keiki Hula