MEDIA RELEASE
With a new location and a refreshed attitude for an upbeat economy, the 8th Annual Moku O Keawe International Hula Festival is Nov. 7-9, 2013 at the Hilton Waikoloa Village.
Three exciting nights of top international hula competition, an expanded Made-in-Hawaii Marketplace and unique Hawaiian cultural workshops make Moku O Keawe a winning choice for the classic Hawaii Island resort setting.
* International competition
Moku O Keawe brings together halau from Hawaii, Japan, Mexico, the U.S. Mainland and elsewhere with high-caliber hula competition in Hula Kahiko, Hula Auwana, and Kupuna divisions, group and solo.
Competition nights feature live music onstage and Mistress of Ceremonies, KAPA radio personality Kaea Alapai.
* Cultural Workshops
Essential to the Festival is the element of Hawaiian cultural education through a series of hands-on workshops, presented by the competition judges in their chosen fields of expertise.
Dance workshops include hula kahiko and auwana by pre-eminent Na Kumu Hula such as Nani Lim Yap, Nalani Kanakaole, Iwalani Kalima, Cy Bridges, Chinky Mahoe and others.
The arts of hula are explored in-depth, with workshops such as lau hala weaving, crafting shell lei, and an excursion to Kalaemano (near Hualalai Resort) with Kuulei Keakealani.
* Made-in-Hawaii Marketplace
Featuring a wide variety of some of the best products from over 50 Island of Hawaii vendors, the new Marketplace at Hilton Hawaiian Village will showcase Hula implements, fresh lei, silk-screened clothing, woven lauhala hats and purses, food products, fine arts, jewelry, fragrance, soaps and more.
“We are very grateful to the Hilton for reaching out to us with their support,†Moku O Keawe Board Advisor Sherron Rosenberger said. “It became clear that we had to make a change in order to keep our Festival going strong and focused on the future. By hosting everything in one location, the Hilton has provided a way to continue our mission to perpetuate hula, the arts of hula and Hawaiian culture with the local community and our visitors from near and far.â€
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.
— Find out more:
www.MOKIF.com