Categorized | Entertainment, Hula

Moku O Keawe International Festival (Nov. 4-7)

Members of Aulani’s Hula Halau compete in the 2008 Moku O Keawe Hula Competition at the Queen’s Gardens Waikoloa Bowl. (Hawaii 24/7 photo special by Michael Darden | www.dardenphotos.com )

MEDIA RELEASE

Moku O Keawe International Festival returns Nov. 4-7 with cultural workshops, international hula halau, and the opportunity to see Kumu Hula O’Brian Eselu and the men of Ke Kai O Kahiki on the big stage at Waikoloa Bowl.

The fifth annual comprehensive, colorful and creative celebration of hula takes place Nov. 4-7 at Waikoloa Beach Resort. The Festival brings kamaaina, visitors and international participants in a four-day schedule with entertainment, hula competition, cultural workshops, island marketplace and closing with the Hoike Night performances.

International competition

Thursday, Nov. 4-Saturday, Nov. 6, Waikoloa Bowl at Queens’ Gardens. Moku O Keawe brings together halau from Japan, the U.S. Mainland and Hawaii in a hula competition in Kupuna, Hula Kahiko and Hula Auwana group and solo divisions. Experience Moku O Keawe this year with ticket prices: $5 Lawn seating, $10 Reserved.

* Kahiko competition, Thursday, Nov. 4, 6 p.m.
* Kupuna competition and awards, Friday, Nov 5, 6 p.m.
* Auwana competition and awards, Saturday, Nov. 6, 6 p.m.

Hawaiian Cultural Workshops

As masters of hula, the judges of the competition are asked to share their knowledge through workshops. The insights and experiences from each kumu hula is offered on a personal basis, allowing participants a unique opportunity.

In both hula kahiko and hula auwana, the various lineages of the kumu hula are unique forms in style, repertoire, and interpretation. There are also opportunities to learn how to make the ipu heke, the standard implement providing the percussion to the dance.

A unique opportunity this year will be the excursion to Mahukona where the student will be taught a hula written for that beautiful site.

Education continues to drive the Moku O Keawe Foundation and it is with these classes that the knowledge from one school is shared with another.

Nalani Kanakaole, Howard Ai, Uluwehi Guerrero, and Kaleo Trinidad are the judges for this year. Registrations for the classes are limited.

Applicants are urged to register early as spaces are limited and students are urged to register early by visiting www.MOKIF.org.

Hawaii Marketplace

Friday, Nov. 5 and Saturday, Nov. 6, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. The unique Made-In-Hawaii Marketplace features some of the best products from the Island of Hawaii. Hula implements, fresh lei, silk-screened clothing, woven lauhala hats and purses, and jewelry, are some of the offerings at the special marketplace.

Hoike Night

Sunday, Nov. 7, 6 p.m., at Waikoloa Bowl at Queens’ Gardens. An important facet of a hula lesson is the public performance as it then brings the student in front of an audience to showcase what was learned. Moku O Keawe is delighted to share the students of the hula workshops in the Hoike.

Also featured at the final night of the event is a very special appearance by Kumu Hula O’Brian Eselu and his men of Ke Kai O Kahiki. The halau has garnered many awards in the Merrie Monarch Festival and has often walked away with the trophy for the overall winner in the most prestigious competition of hula. Tickets for Hoike Night are Lawn seating $10, Reserved $20.

The Moku O Keawe International Festival is sponsored by the Moku O Keawe Foundation, a private nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing, enriching and educating the practice and development of hula and its associated arts.

For information and tickets to events, visit www.MOKIF.com

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