Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 34, Number 5, 1 Mei 2017 — Hula event showcases secondary students' skill [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hula event showcases secondary students' skill

By Ka Wai Ola Staff

\ot everyone has the skill and expertise to compete at Merrie Monarch but for nearly 40 decades middle and high school students have been able to compete amongst themselves.

On May 13, 'Iolani School will host the annual Malia Craver Kahiko Hula Competition. More than just a contest, the event gives students the opportunity to learn about Hawaiian culture, receive hula training and share their skill and knowledge about ancient Hawaiian hula. The competition calls for extensive research and training to bring mo'olelo to life through hula kahiko. The format is similar to

Merrie Monarch's, allowing participants six minutes for narration, 'oli, ka'i, ho'i and hula. The amateur event was founded by Aunty Malia Craver and Earl Kawai when they realized their group of young dancers from the Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center-

Windward Unit were unahle to compete at the Merrie Monarch level. Their QLCC unit held the first hula kahiko competition in 1978. In 1986, the Kalihi-Palama Culture & Arts Society heeame the event sponsor, with support from schools and other agencies, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The Malia Craver Hula Kahiko Competition begins 10 a.m. at 'Iolani School. ■

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Secondary sfudenfs will eompele at 'lolani School on May 1 3. - Photos: Roy Yamasaki

Malia Craver. - Photo: Elaine Pergerstrom

Students share their skill and knowledge of ancient hula.