Kaanapali Beach Hotel Hosts 25th Annual Hula O Na Keiki

As part of their ongoing commitment to preserving the Hawaiian culture, Kaanapali Beach Hotel, Hawaii’s Most Hawaiian Hotel,  is proud to once again host Maui’s only children’s hula (dance) competition, Hula O Na Keiki. In its 25th year, the competition will be open to students from around the world and will honor Hawaii’s indigenous dance.  Over the weekend, from Nov. 13-15, 2015, this hula competition will educate participants and attendees alike in Hawaiian traditions to perpetuate and preserve the culture.

Leimakamae Maura Kea of Halau Kekuaokalaaualailiahi won the overall wahine (female) award last year at Hula O Na Keiki.

Twenty-five participants ranging from five to 17-year-olds will compete in their respective categories over the weekend for coveted awards and titles, and the chance to win from a total of nearly $13,000 in cash and prizes. Entering as soloists or palua (boy and girl pairs), 25 contestants will perform kahiko (ancient) and auana (modern) hula styles that reflect both traditional and personal interpretations of competition songs. Dancers will be judged on their interview skills, chanting styles, dance performances and cultural appropriateness of costumes and adornments.

This year’s esteemed judges include some of Hawaii’s most well-respected hula and cultural advisors: head judge, Hokulani Holt; chanting judge, Kaponoai Molitau; music judge, Maka Herrod; and hula judges, Kekuhi Kealiikanakaoleohaililani, Kehau Kekua and Kealii Reichel.

To complement the keiki hula competition, weekend festivities at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel include arts and crafts from all islands, cultural and hula workshops, and Hawaiian entertainment, so guests of the event are encouraged to stay and enjoy the festivities!

Kaleookalani Pinto of Halau Hula O Kawaihoomalu was the overall kane (male) winner of the 2014 Hula O Na Keiki.

For the first time ever, Kaanapli Beach Hotel will be offering a special travel package to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Hula O Na Keiki. Guests can enhance their hula competition experience with the ultimate cultural travel package and enjoy a hula class with the hula alakai (dance leader) of the Hookipa Department, tickets to the competition, an array of cultural activities and daily food and beverage credits. More details and pricing surrounding the package will be released closer to the event

To purchase Hula O Na Keiki tickets, call Kaanapali Beach Hotel at 800-262-8450.