Kamehameha Schools joins Central Pacific Bank in presenting the Prince Lot Hula Festival, Hawai’i’s largest non-competitive hula celebration. The historic Queen Emma Summer Palace in Nu‘uanu serves as a backdrop for the virtual festival which premieres on Thursday, Oct. 28 from 7 to 9 p.m. on KHON2.
Established by the Moanalua Gardens Foundation (MGF) in 1978, the hula festival honors Prince Lot Kapuāiwa who reigned as Kamehameha V from 1863 to 1872 and helped reprise hula. This year’s event theme is “E huli alo I ka ulu lā, ua ao ē” – With the rising of the sun, a new day dawns.
“At Kamehameha Schools, we believe in the importance of celebrating our culture to inspire our keiki, help them learn from the wisdom passed down through generations and strengthen the foundation of their identity as Native Hawaiians,” said Lauren Nahme, KS vice president of Strategy and Transformation. “We are proud to serve as presenting sponsor and look forward to this year’s festival.”
KS alumni Kimo Kahoano KSK’66, Brook Lee KSK’89 and Kamaka Pili KSK’06 will serve as the hosts of the virtual hula festival, and alumni Marlene Sai KSK’59 and Robert Cazimero KSK’67 will give the opening remarks.
In addition to 9 participating hālau, the virtual program will include performances by MGF’s Malia Kau Award recipient Kumu Hula Lilinoe Lindsey and Ka Pā Nani o Lilinoe, and master chanter and KS Cultural Consultant Manu Boyd KSK’80, receiver of the Namakahelu Oli Award.
“The pandemic has taken a big toll on our fundraising efforts this year,” said Alika Jamile, executive director of the Moanalua Gardens Foundation. “This partnership will help make the 2021 virtual festival possible. We are deeply grateful to Kamehameha Schools and Central Pacific Bank for ensuring that this celebration of hula with aloha will be brought via television to our keiki, families and kūpuna in the safety of their homes.”
A non-profit organization founded in 1970, Moanalua Gardens Foundation is committed to preserving and perpetuating the history, native culture and environment of Hawai’i through stewardship of Kamananui Valley and celebration of the annual Prince Lot Hula Festival.
In addition to 9 participating hālau, the virtual program will include a performance by master chanter and KS Cultural Consultant Manu Boyd KSK’80, receiver of the MGF Namakahelu Oli Award. Fellow alumni Marlene Sai KSK’59 and Robert Cazimero KSK’67 will give the event’s opening remarks.
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hula festival,hawaiian culture,native hawaiian identity,ks alumni
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Kaipuolono Article, Regions, Themes, Culture, Community, Employee ‘Ohana, Ka ʻohana Kamehameha, I Mua Kamehameha, Newsroom, Kapalama, Alumni, Oahu, Oiwi Leaders
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