Kumu hula Leina‘ala Pavao Jardin and her halau will attempt to set a World Record for the largest Zumba class on Saturday at the North Vidinha soccer fields. Proceeds from the Zumba Festival will help the halau, Ka Lei Mokihana
Kumu hula Leina‘ala Pavao Jardin and her halau will attempt to set a World Record for the largest Zumba class on Saturday at the North Vidinha soccer fields.
Proceeds from the Zumba Festival will help the halau, Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala, with their trip to compete in the 2012 Merrie Monarch Hula Competition in Hilo, Hawai‘i, as well as the Queen Lili‘uokalani Keiki Hula Competition on O‘ahu, states a release from Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala.
Billed as the First Zumba Fest 2012 on Kaua‘i, gates will open at 8 a.m. with Akala Aiwohi singing the national and state anthems, followed by the pule from Jade Waialeale-Battad.
Anna Velasco will lead the first Zumba session from 9 to 9:50 a.m., followed by Troy and the Rockstars taking over from 10 to 10:50 a.m.
The official Zumba participation count will be held at 9:30 a.m.
Zumba is a Latin dance-inspired fitness program. Currently, the World Record “officially recorded” Zumba class is 1,223, and the World Record unrecorded Zumba class is 1,401.
Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala’s goal is to have at least 1,500 Zumba participants in the class when the count is taken at 9:30 a.m. Pavao Jardin anticipates more than 100 of her 140 Keiki, ‘Opio, Wahine and Kupuna dancers will help to lead Zumba participants of all levels.
She said beginners are encouraged to attend because a special area will be created for those new to Zumba.
Following the Zumba sessions, a cool-down period will start at 11 a.m. where participants can enjoy a lunch of salad and fresh fruit from vendors who also will sell Zumba apparel and accessories.
Leilani Spencer will be offering free ionized water, and participants are encouraged to bring their own water containers.
Zumba fest tickets are $10 per person with tickets available at Kujo’s Mini Mart in Kalaheo, Uncle’s Shave Ice at The Shops at Kukui‘ula, The Wine Shop in Koloa, Mokihana Travel in Lihu‘e and Vicky’s Fabrics in Kapa‘a.
Advance tickets will allow the halau a means of keeping an accurate count toward its 1,500-Zumba participant goal.
Tickets will also be available at the door for $12.
Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala performances have gained much attention after being consistent winners at the Keiki Hula competiton on O‘ahu, where the halau earned Best Overall Keiki Halau for Hula during the 2011 Queen Lili‘uokalani Keiki Hula Competition.
This year will be the first time the halau will participate in the Merrie Monarch Hula Competition, an event which is televised and streamed throughout the country.
“I am very proud of all my dancers and I team them to share our Hawaiian culture through the stories their dances tell, as well as individually give 100 percent during each performance,” Pavao Jardin said. “This is a very exciting time for all our dancers and we are proud to represent Kaua‘i where ever we are asked to dance.”
For more information, or to request an auxiliary aid, call Pavao Jardin at 639-9033.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
