In celebration of “the legacy of hula,” Japan and Hawai`i will join together for the 7th Annual Hula Ho`olauna Aloha on July 12 & 13, 2008. The celebration will feature a hula exhibition by local and Japanese halau at Ala Moana’s Center Stage followed by a hula competition between visiting Japanese halau at the Waikiki Shell.

Hula Ho`olauna will kick off on Saturday, July 12, with a hula exhibition featuring a variety of Japan’s and Hawai`i’s most talented hula halau. The festivities will be take place on Ala Moana’s Center Stage from 10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The show will open with a chant by kumu Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, after which 33 group participants from Japan and 4 halau from Hawai`i will take the stage. The exhibition will include solo, group wahine, group kupuna and keiki performances. Musical performances include special guest Pomaikai Keawe Lyman – granddaughter of the late Hawaiian music icon Auntie Genoa Keawe, Mahela Sai, and Pilioha. Admission to the performance is free.

The beautiful Waikiki Shell will be the site for the festival’s hula competition on Sunday, July 13, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Visiting Japanese halau will compete against each other, with the winning halau dancing away with the honor and title, “Hula Ho’olauna Aloha 2008,” and the right to defend its title in the 2009 competition. There will be a total of 16 competitors, including four solo dancers and 12 group participants consisting of seven wahine and five kupuna. Performances will be judged by many of Hawai`i’s top kumu hula, including Sonny Ching, Kealoha Kalama, Leimomi Ho, Keala Ching, Nawahine Kuraoka, Iwalani Kalima and Les Pang.

Seating at the Waikiki Shell is limited to participating halau, their friends and family, and those with a valid United States I.D or military I.D. The 7th Annual Hula Ho`olauna Aloha 2008 is sponsored by Japan Airlines, Ala Moana Center, Sheraton Hotels, Hawai`i Tourism Authority, Hula Supply Center, and JALPAK.

Created in 2002, the annual Hula Ho`olauna Aloha hula festival celebrates Japan’s love for the hula in its birthplace, while bridging the two cultures through dance and friendship. The Japanese language website, www.hoolauna.com, offers more information about the 7th Annual Hula Ho`olauna Aloha 2008 hula festival. Information is also available by calling (808) 347-2012 (MON-FRI 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.).

Related Link:

• www.jalpak.com

---