4th Annual Moku O Keawe International Festival Celebrates Hawaiian Culture

10/16/2009

November 5-8, 2009

KOHALA COAST, HAWAII — For the fourth year in a row, the Moku O Keawe International Festival presents an exciting and immersive celebration of hula and related arts, November 5-8 at the Waikoloa Beach Resort. The cultural and educational Festival offers kama‘āina, visitors and international participants four days of entertainment and experiences embracing Hawaii’s best-loved art form—in competition, concerts cultural workshops, artisan marketplace and hō‘ike performances including a very special appearance by Amy Hānaiali‘i.

International competition. The Moku O Keawe International Festival brings together hālau from Japan and Hawaii in a dance competition with women’s kahiko and ‘auwana divisions, including ensemble and solo kupuna, at the Waikoloa Bowl at Queens’ Gardens. Individual tickets for the competition are $15; a 3-day pass is $35. Hō‘ike/Concert tickets are $25 in advance, $25 at the gate.
•Kahiko competition & Nā Wāhine Leo Hone Concert featuring Darlene Ahuna, Lorna Lim and Kainani, Thursday, November 5, 6:00 p.m.
•Kupuna competition and awards, Friday, November 6, 6:00 p.m.
•‘Auwana competition & awards, plus Holunape in concert, Saturday, November 7, 6:00 p.m.
•Hō‘ike and Amy Hānaiali‘i in Concert, Sunday, November 8, 6:00 p.m.

Workshops. During the Festival, some of Hawaii’s most-respected practitioners teach master workshops in hula and the making of musical instruments. Designed for the intrigued novice as well as the serious student, the workshops are important highlights of Moku O Keawe International Festival. The 2009 Cultural Workshops include:
•Hula ‘auwana, “Aia La Ola‘a,” taught by Kumu Hula Nalani Kanakaole, half-day, $45
•Hula ‘auwana, “Aloha Nō O Waianae, taught by Kumu Hula Howard A‘i, half-day, $45
•An excursion to Hāpai Ali‘i in Keauhou, with oli and hula kahiko, led by Kumu Keala Ching, full day with lunch, $45
•An excursion to Mahai‘ula with hula ‘auwana, by Kumu Kaleo Trinidad, full day with lunch, $45
•Pūniu (knee drum) and hula kahiko with Kanani and Lehua Kaulukukui, under the direction of Dr. Taupouri Tangaro, 2-day workshop with materials, $120
•Bamboo Nose Flute, hula and song with Kia Fronda, half-day with materials, $30
•Lauhala Weaving with Aha Puhala O Puna, half-day with materials, $40
•‘Ūli‘ūli (gourd rattle) and hula taught by Kika Nohara, half-day with materials, $65

Prices, locations and schedules subject to change. Workshop students are encouraged to join their class in presenting what they learn onstage during Sunday’s Hō‘ike. Space availability is limited and students are urged to register early by visiting www.MokuOKeawe.org

Hawaii Marketplace. A chance to see, touch, smell and taste some of the fascinating made-in-Hawaii products from many island vendors, including hula-inspired art by Kathy Long, who creates the original painting yearly for the Moku O Keawe International Festival collectible poster series. All kinds of lei, Hawaiian quilts, hula implements, aloha wear including Hilo’s Sig Zane Designs, jewelry, fine arts, woodworks, weaving and weapons, plus delicate organic soaps and lotions, food products and local coffee. The Hawaii Marketplace is open Saturday-Sunday, November 7-8, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.

Hō‘ike performance and Amy Hānaiali‘i in Concert. Hula is meant to be shared with an audience, and the Moku O Keawe International Festival is delighted to share a hō‘ike starring students from the workshops along with a special appearance by Ms. Amy Hānaiali‘i under the stars at Waikoloa Bowl at Queens’ Gardens, Sunday, November 8, 6:00 p.m. Multi-talented Amy Hānaiali‘i has released 10 albums which have earned 3 Grammy nominations and 15 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards (including Female Vocalist of the Year 4 times). She is officially “Hawaii’s Music Ambassador” as proclaimed by Governor Linda Lingle. Tickets for Hō‘ike/Concert are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, keiki 4 and under are free.

The Moku O Keawe International Festival is sponsored by the Moku O Keawe Foundation. As a private nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing, enriching and educating the practice and development of hula and its associated arts, its focus is to build, strengthen and inspire the living cultural traditions of Hawaii.

Major supporters of the Moku O Keawe International Festival include Hawaii Tourism Authority, Waikoloa Beach Resort, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Big Island Candies, Queens’ MarketPlace, Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, ResortQuest, Hilton Grand Vacations Club, Sig Zane Designs, Kathy Long, Sushi Shiono, Big Island Visitors Bureau, Pacific Radio Group (KAPA), Kintetsu International Hawaii, Waimea Music Center, Kona Deep, Bausch & Lomb-Japan and KWXX.

For information and tickets to events, visit www.MokuOKeawe.org

Media contact: Catherine Tarleton
808-883-0669
CatherineTarleton@gmail.com