Despite the crisp, loud slaps of the ipu heke, the claps of thunder rolled through the arena of Kato Gym in Kalaheo Monday night. Dancers with the award-winning Ka Lei Mokihana O Leinaala, under the direction of Kumu Hula Leinaala
Despite the crisp, loud slaps of the ipu heke, the claps of thunder rolled through the arena of Kato Gym in Kalaheo Monday night.
Dancers with the award-winning Ka Lei Mokihana O Leinaala, under the direction of Kumu Hula Leinaala Pavao Jardin, were working through the final week of practice before its hoike on Saturday.
“This is it, girls,” Kumu Leinaala said. “This is the final week before the hoike and everyone needs to work hard before the show.”
The hoike unfolds Saturday when doors to the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall open at 3 p.m. for a craft fair and food ahead of the hoike, which starts at 6 p.m.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.
“Ticket sales have been real good,” Kumu Leinaala said. “We do have some still available, but we do encourage people to get them early to avoid the disappointment of a sellout.”
Tickets are available at The Wine Shop in Koloa, located across the street from the Koloa Post Office, Uncle’s Shave Ice at The Shops at Kukuiula, Mokihana Travel in Lihue, and Vicky’s Fabrics in Kapaa.
Joining the hula performances of the award-winning halau from Kalaheo, Kuana Torres Kahele will headline a slate of surprise performers offering Hawaiian music for hoike guests.
Ka Lei Mokihana O Leinaala dancers earlier earned third-place honors for its kahiko, or ancient hula, performance at the 50th anniversary Merrie Monarch hula competition on the Big Island in April.
Later in the summer, Ka Lei Mokihana O Leinaala swept the Queen Liliuokalani Keiki Hula Competition on Oahu, when Jeslie Ann Pavao earned the Miss Keiki Hula 2013 title and Luke Hunadi was crowned the Master Keiki Hula 2013, both individual dancers hailing from Ka Lei Mokihana O Leinaala.
For more information, call 639-9033.
