The County of Hawaii Department of Parks and Recreation, in partnership with the Merrie Monarch Festival Committee, announced Monday the return of the Keiki Auana Hula Festival ‘E Malama Mau I Ka Hula Festival.
The County of Hawaii Department of Parks and Recreation, in partnership with the Merrie Monarch Festival Committee, announced Monday the return of the Keiki Auana Hula Festival ‘E Malama Mau I Ka Hula Festival.
Children dancers from 10 Hawaii Island halau will perform auana, or modern, hula from 5-9 p.m. on Oct. 20 at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo. Started in 1981 by the late Aunty Dottie Thompson, the Keiki Auana Hula Festival ran for 22 consecutive years until an election day scheduling conflict in 2003 resulted in the event’s suspension.
In Thompson’s memory, the department of Parks and Recreation is reviving the competition, now called ‘E Malama Mau I Ka Hula Festival, to benefit Hawaii Island keiki and to preserve the island’s rich hula tradition.
“We’re delighted this exciting event is returning,” said Luana Kawelu, Merrie Monarch Festival Committee president. “Keiki represent the future of hula, and my mother loved keiki and would be honored to see this event again.”
The ‘E Malama Mau I Ka Hula Festival will feature a total of 20 performances in three divisions, ranging from kindergarten through 12th grade. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in each age category.
Standard rules include a minimum of five dancers per performance, use of live musicians, and no plastic lei or cellophane skirts. Also, each mele must be sung in Hawaiian.
Prominent kuma hula Leolani Pratt Ha‘o, Glenn Vasconcellos, Sandra Lee and Holoua Stender have agreed to judge the keiki performances. Admission is $5 per person. Tickets may be obtained from the performing halau, at the Merrie Monarch Festival office located at 865 Piilani St. in Hilo or by phone by calling 935-9168 weekdays between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.