The 38th annual Hawaii Kupuna Hula Festival has been canceled.
The festival, initially scheduled for Sept. 7 and 8 at the Outrigger Kona Resort &Spa at Keauhou Bay, was called off by the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation due to a lack of halau being able to participate.
Elderly Activities Operations Director Roann Okamura said only six halau expressed interest in competing at this year’s festival, far too few for a successful event. Previous years have seen anywhere from 16 to 26 halau participating.
“We would not get enough in ticket sales to pay for it,” she said.
The festival has been held in Kona since its inception in 1982, except for the last two years due to COVID-19 restrictions.
She said kupuna have been hesitant to gather for practice because of the pandemic.
“The standard of this competition was stellar with the talent on the stage,” said Okamura. “The kumu do not want to give poor performances because they didn’t have rehearsals.”
The Hawaii Kupuna Hula Festival showcases talented hula dancers from across Hawaii, the mainland, and Japan.
Festival highlights include fellowship, a craft fair, and two evenings of solo and group competitions, including a spirited ho‘olaulea.
Kumu Lori Lei Shirakawa’s halau has been participating in the festival for over two decades.
“Sadly, we too will not be participating,” she said. “We took a break when COVID started and we haven’t had our Kupuna hula classes since then, its been about two years now.”
She said her kupuna are very cautious and do not venture out much these days.
“We have always looked forward to participate in the annual Kupuna Hula Festival, as we have been going to that event for over 20-plus years. The kupuna always enjoy themselves, seeing and catching up with other kupuna dancers from other districts, outer islands and even dancers from the mainland and Japan, too,” Shirakawa said.
“It is such an awesome hula festival put on by our County of Hawaii’s Parks and Recreation Elderly Recreation Services Division and their great sponsors.”
She said her students have missed the festival, as have many kupuna dancers and spectators who attend it annually.
“However, it can’t be helped, as we are all trying to be careful at this time,” she said. “I highly commend the ERS Dept. for considering the welfare of our kupuna. Hopefully, we will be able to gather again next year for this really special and beloved festival in Kona.”
“We want to give the public a good show,” said Okamura. “We will be back next year.”
Next year’s Kupuna Hula Festival is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 13 and 14, 2023.