If you are on O‘ahu this Saturday and in the mood for an authentic Hawaiian experience, the 35th annual Prince Lot Hula Festival is it. The event takes place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Moanalua Gardens Park
If you are on O‘ahu this Saturday and in the mood for an authentic Hawaiian experience, the 35th annual Prince Lot Hula Festival is it.
The event takes place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Moanalua Gardens Park in Honolulu.
Once a botanical garden arraying rare trees, foliage and historic structures, Moanalua Gardens Foundation has striven for the past 40 years to preserve and perpetuate the history, native culture and environment of Hawai‘i through education, celebration and stewardship.
“Our theme, Laukanaka Ka Hula and ‘A Multitude of Hula Groups Gather,’ is based on a traditional oli that talks about groups of hula people coming together to celebrate hula,” said Alika Jamile, MGF executive director and president. “It speaks to people from all over who appreciate and love all aspects of hula.”
An oli is a chant that traditionally was not accompanied by dance. Often long phrases were chanted in a single breath, with each phrase ending with an ‘i‘i (trill).
The hula dramatizes or portrays the words of the oli (or mele) in a visual dance form. It’s significant practice continues to embrace and perpetuate Hawaiian history, legend and culture.
According to legend, the first hula occurred when Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes, wanted her sisters to entertain her with song and dance. Only Pele’s youngest sister, Hi‘iaka, would comply. Hi‘iaka performed gracefully and powerfully for Pele to the amazement of all.
“Opening ceremonies will include a special show in honor of noted kupuna who have made important contributions to our Hawaiian culture and the hula,” Jamile said. Honorees include Edith Kawelohea McKenzie, Patience Namaka Bacon and James Ka‘upena Wong Jr.
Those three cultural pillars, whose expertise in Hawaiian lore have earned them worldwide eminence for decades, call forth yesterday’s kahuna kupuna, elderly community members to whom all went for counsel and advice.
Their lives and actions served to guide the people toward the community’s best interests.
McKenzie is an authority in Hawaiian genealogy. MHer contribution to the preservation of hula and oli is evident by two books of genealogical chants she authored.
Patience Namaka Bacon has spent the majority of her life documenting the times and works of her mother, author, scholar and composer Mary Kawena Pukui. Bacon is sought after to judge hula competitions, including the world famous Merrie Monarch Hula Festival in Hilo.
James Ka‘upena Wong is one of Hawai‘i’s most revered chanter. He is considered a “keeper of the word” and thus the language. Wong is also hailed as a composer, instrumentalist and tradition-bearer. He learned oli from Mary Kawena Pukui and studied under master teacher Tom Hiona.
Business and Marketing Consultant Pauline Worsham said this year’s festival was going to be one of their best because of the unique opening ceremony.
“Considering the incredibly talented kahuna kupuna that are going to be there Saturday, we hope a maximum of people from all over the world will join us,” she said.
The nonprofit organization, which depends on supporters, sponsors, donors and volunteers, is entering its 42nd year as a foundation of high-quality by earning various award-winning educational programs since its inception in 1970. The event, which is the oldest and largest non-competitive hula festival statewide, will feature both ancient (hula kahiko) and modern (hula ‘auana) performances.
The festival also marks an occasion to honor Prince Lot Kapua‘iwa, who later became King Kamehameha V. He is considered by many to be the last venerable chief in part for his steadfast respect for Hawaiian traditions.
He indeed reprised the once banned hula in the district of Moanalua. His summer cottage still stands on the Moanalua Gardens’ grounds.
On Aug. 20, 1864, Prince Lot signed the 1864 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i and took an oath to protect it.
He was the first king to encourage revival of traditional practices. Under his reign, the laws against kahunaism were repealed.
A Hawaiian Board of Medicine was established, with kahuna members, and Hawaiian medicine was again practiced. He brought kahuna practitioners to Honolulu to document their remedies.
In 1865 a bill was brought before the Legislature permitting the sale of liquor to the native Hawaiians. Kamehameha V surprised the supporters of bill by declaring, “I will never sign the death warrant of my people.”
Alcoholism was one of the many causes of the already declining population of the native Hawaiians.
With no written language, the ancient Hawaiians recorded their histories, genealogies, legends and the phenomena of their gods through the creation and memorization of chants, known as oli, and dances called hula.
There is no charge to attend the festival, however, a button donation to MGF is requested to raise funds to support the event.
Visit MGF’s website at www.moanaluagardensfoundation.org or call (808) 839.5334 for more information.
