Third Annual Moku O Keawe International Festival, November 5-9, 2008

The third annual Moku O Keawe International Festival, will take place November 5-9, 2008 at Waikoloa Beach Resort on the Big Island's Kohala Coast. The festival is an epic celebration of the rich Hawaiian culture in five acts: stellar opening night concert, competitive hula, cultural workshops, craft and artisan marketplace and a closing night finale under the stars.

Originally inspired by the growing passion for hula in Japan and worldwide, the Festival is a collaborative creation of Na Kumu Hula Nalani Kanakaole and Nani Lim Yap, designer Sig Zane, artist Kathy Long and administrator Margo Mau Bunnell. Their brainchild bravely places ancient traditions side by side with today's Hawaiian culture for striking events that engage both visitors and residents.

Opening Night Concert

Multi-talented Kumu Hula and 2008 Na Hoku HanoHano Female Vocalist of the Year Napua Greig kicks off the excitement on Wednesday, November 5 at 7:00 p.m. at the Waikoloa Bowl at Queens' Gardens. Admission is $30, keiki under 5 are free.

International Competition

In the evening, top halau from Japan, US-Hawai'i and other countries perform in dramatic kahiko, kupuna and 'auana competition at the Waikoloa Bowl at Queens' Gardens.

Admission is $15 per event, or $35 for a 3-day pass, keiki under 5 are free.

• Kahiko competition, Thursday, November 6 at 6:00 p.m. The ancient chants and rhythms of hula kahiko bring the spirit of the past to dance in the present.
• Kupuna competition and awards, Friday, November 7 at 6:00 p.m. “Senior” dancers are young again as they grace the stage in skilled individual and group performances.
• 'Auana competition and awards, Saturday, November 8 at 6:00 p.m. Modern hula, with its brilliant costumes, elaborate flowers and orchestration, provide the perfect prelude to the grand prize.

Workshops

During the day, some of Hawaii's most-respected cultural practitioners teach master workshops in hula and related arts, designed for the intrigued novice as well as the serious student.

• Hula Kahiko o Maui a Kama. Award-winning kumu hula, chanter, songwriter and musician Keali'i Reichel leads a 2-day class for the advanced hula student, emphasizing the poetry of the language and its kaona, hidden meanings.
• He Ali'i o Ke'elikolani. An excursion to Hulihe'e Palace led by instructor Hauoli Akaka, where students will learn an oli and mele hula honoring Princess Ruth Ke'elikolani.
• Hula 'Auwana. Two-time Na Hoku Hanohano winner, Kaumakaiwa Kanakaole teaches a special hula choreographed to an original song by the legendary Edith Kanakaole. Kaumakaiwa lives the traditions handed down through five generations on his mother's side, a lifestyle that allows him to share special meaning in his unique music style.
• Makali'i, a Hawaiian Voyaging Canoe. Cultural specialist Keala Ching takes the class to Kawaihae to learn about the canoe's past and present connection to life in Hawai'i, to visit Pu'ukohola Heiau and learn a hula written by Ching.
• Hula 'Auwana. Kumu Hula Nalani Kanakaole shares a 3-hour hula 'auwana from the Island of Hawai'i, including all the kaona of the language.
• Pu'ili, Bamboo Hula Implement. Instructor Kia Fronda leads a 6-hour class in making bamboo rattles, used in hula as percussion instruments to accompany the dance.
• Kalopa Gathering and Lei Workshop. Charles Kaupu leads a day-long excursion to Kalopa Park where students share halau protocols and practices in gathering kinolau, dressing oneself for dance, learning chants, and making the lei.
• Hana Ulana (Weaving Lauhala) Workshop. Two different levels of workshops are taught by expert weavers from Aha Puhala O Puna, a non-profit organization whose goals are to share the knowledge of the craft, increase awareness of the techniques of weaving, and to enjoy the social gathering to build upon their weaving experiences.

Because of the intensive nature of the classes and materials involved, space availability is limited and students are urged to register early by visiting www.MokuOKeawe.org.

Hawai'i Marketplace

Wander among the different displays, and enjoy the chance to see, touch, smell and taste some of the best made-in-Hawai'i products from island vendors: Sig Zane fashions, hula-inspired art by Kathy Long (whose stunning design makes the Moku O Keawe collectible poster), Hawaiian quilts, hula implements, jewelry, woodworks, weaving and weapons, plus real Hawai'i-grown chocolate and organic coffee, and many more treasures from the Islands.

The Hawai'i Marketplace is open Friday and Saturday, November 7-8 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott. Admission is free.

Ho'ike

Hula was meant to be shared with an audience, and Moku O Keawe is delighted to share a ho'ike performance starring special guest halau and students from the workshops, sharing their dances, chants, instruments and personal pride.

The Ho'ike will take place on Sunday, November 10 at 5:00 p.m., at the Waikoloa Bowl at the Queens' Gardens. Admission is $15, keiki under 5 free.

The Moku O Keawe International Festival is sponsored by the Moku O Keawe Foundation, a private nonprofit 501c(3) organization dedicated to enhancing, enriching and educating the practice and development of hula and its associated arts to build, strengthen and inspire the living cultural traditions of Hawai'i.

For information, tickets to events, workshops or concert, visit www.MokuOKeawe.org or call 808-886-8822.

_{The 2008 Mokif Poster by Kathy Long shown here will be available for purchase at the Festival.}