Leilani Rivera Low and her halau from Kapa‘a and Koloa celebrated the holidays — Kaua‘i style — with a Christmas hula concert Sunday at the War Memorial Convention Hall in Lihu‘e. The two-and-a-half hour show featured keiki and adult dancers
Leilani Rivera Low and her halau from Kapa‘a and Koloa celebrated the holidays — Kaua‘i style — with a Christmas hula concert Sunday at the War Memorial Convention Hall in Lihu‘e.
The two-and-a-half hour show featured keiki and adult dancers of all ages performing hula, Maori dances and Tahitian dances to a soundtrack of Christmas carols and Hawaiian mele.
Before the concert, Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. spoke to a crowd of visitors and residents to emphasize the importance of teaching our children Hawaiian culture and how it is our responsibility to perpetuate these traditions.
With the sound of a pu slicing through the auditorium, the fifth annual Kaua‘i Christmas Hula Concert commenced.
More than 75 dancers graced the stage in colorful costumes and danced to Hawaiian Christmas songs.
Keiki dancers as young as four danced to “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer,” the pidgin version of the “12 Days of Christmas” (where Leilani taught visitors how to say “numbah”) and “Kani Kani Pele” (“Jingle Bells”). The halau also performed “Little Drummer Boy” with ipus and “Kanaka Wai Wai,” a parable about rich and poor man.
Leilani’s 81-year-old father, Larry Rivera, took center stage to sing “Christmas Island” while young girls danced.
The second half of the concert was a tour of the Pacific. Halau members performed Maori dances using long sticks and poi balls, while Tahitian dancers performed in sync with the beat of the drum.
The highlight of the concert was hearing women from the Kanahele ‘Ohana of Ni‘ihau share Hawaiian hymns composed by Mama Ane Kanahele. Their rich, soulful voices filled the auditorium as they sang “Silent Night” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” a cappella in the Ni‘ihau dialect. A mele composed by Kanahele, “Thank You Jesus For Everything,” showcased the group’s distinct harmony.
Leilani was accompanied by Zanuck Kapala Lindsey and Kimo Artis of the Hawaiian fusion band Kapala. While the duo mostly played Hawaiian music, it also played a few solo songs, including “Nani Hanalei” and the debut of “Kohalo.” The paniolo (cowboy) inspired song was written about a family on the North Shore of Hawai‘i, and its bluesy guitar riffs had the audience clapping in delight.
Singer/songwriter and keyboardist Michael Ruff also performed traditional Christmas songs to round out the show.
Leilani recently opened up a cultural center at The Coconut Marketplace in Kapa‘a. The center, named La U‘i O Ka ‘Aina (The Beauty of the Land), accepts students of all ages.
On Feb. 7, Leilani and the Makaha Sons will present Hula Ho‘ike 2012.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Keiki are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.
Email darryl.leilani@hawaiiantel.net or call 651-3682 or 651-0684 for more information.
