HULA O NĀ KEIKI

The Hula O Na Keiki, a children’s solo hula competition, is held right on the grounds of Ka'anapali Beach Hotel. Though the event has grown over the years, from a single day affair to an entire weekend of Hawaiian arts and music, the objective has remained the same – to educate our children in the ways of our ancestors so the culture can be carried forward. Hula students from Hawai`i and around the world are invited to compete in interview, dance, chant, and costume categories.

Hula Kahiko
Words and translation will be provided to each hālau once application is received and accepted. It is the responsibility of the Kumu Hula to haku the melody and the hula for the competition.

All participants must ʻoli in the competition. Applicant must also state the style of ʻoli to be performed and why it was chosen. Costume and adornments will be judged during the Interview and the Competition. Appropriate undergarments must be worn. Inappropriate undergarments will be deducted from Costume scores. There will be a Costume & Adornment prize.

Hula ʻAuana
All Hula ‘Auana songs shall be “hapa haole” with predominantly English lyrics. Songs originally written in Hawaiian may not be translated into English to accommodate this category. This yearʻs theme for ʻauana: Hapa Haole songs written between 1939 – 1959. Does not have to be by a Hawai’i-born composer, but use songs that bring dignity to the Hawaiian culture, not diminish it.

These are the dancer that will represent our Hālau for the 19th Celebration of Hula O Nā Keiki will be held November 13-15, 2009 at Kaanapali Beach Hotel.

The Soloist are:

Malia Parente, ʻOpio Wahine Soloist

ʻAlohi Navor, ʻOpio Wahine Soloist

Meagan Dait, Keiki Wahine Soloist

Janie Sadorra-Ramelb, Keiki Wahine Soloist

Hula Pālua Participants must be (1) male and (1) female in the same division. No division crossovers will be allowed. Songs will be in the Hawaiian language and shall be an ʻauana song. This year‟s theme for pālua: Hawaiian songs written between 1939 – 1959

Kylie Andaya, ʻOpio Palua

Dason Fujimoto, ʻOpio Palua

Children from ages 5 years old to 17 years old will steal your heart and shutter your camera as you watch them compete in their categories for the coveted awards and titles. Besides each contestant going through a somewhat nerve-wracking interview in front of a panel of judges before the competition they are also required to memorize a chant in the native Hawaiian language. Later that evening they will perform one of their the kahiko (traditional) or auana (modern) style hula.

The next night is their last chance to prove to themselves, their halau (hula school) and especially their kumu (teacher) that they have mastered the hula. Unless of course, they are also entered in the Palua (couple) Division when we get see them dance one more time in tandem! It's a weekend of "oohs" and "ahs" of colorful costumes, sassy attitudes, and of course, expertise of traditional hula!

For more information on this event, click on this link:
http://hawaiiculture.com/Main/Hula_O_Na_Keiki/Hula_O_Na_Keiki.aspx