Since 1984, the Malie Foundation has worked diligently to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture through its year-round offerings of programs and events. Widely known for their annual Kauai Mokihana Festival, it is now in its 30th year of bringing Hawaiian culture
Since 1984, the Malie Foundation has worked diligently to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture through its year-round offerings of programs and events. Widely known for their annual Kauai Mokihana Festival, it is now in its 30th year of bringing Hawaiian culture to the greater community of Kauai residents and visitors.
The festival is a week-long celebration of cultural programs, contests, lectures and workshops. The Kauai Music Composers Contest and a three-day hula competition are two of its most popular, signature events.
In 2013, the Malie Foundation announced its commitment to support the presentation of yet another major cultural event on Kauai. It is the largest project that they will organize and oversee to date … this time, as host to a global audience of participants who will travel to Kauai with a specific interest in hula and Hawaiian culture!
Ka Aha Hula O Halauaola 2014, the fourth World Conference on Hula, will be an extraordinary gathering for Kauai — an island that has a deep connection and history to this ancient art form and tradition that stretches far beyond time. Reputed to be the birthplace of hula, countless chants and oral traditions have preserved Kauai’s special character, stories and powerful sense of place.
Created and founded by master kumu hula and visionaries, Pualani Kanakaole Kanahele, Leinaala Kalama Heine and Hokulani Holt, Halauaola was born of their common desire to reconnect hula and Hawaiian cultural learners from across the globe to the primal sources of inspiration that emanate from Hawaii — the origin and nexus of hula itself. The first aha, or conference, was launched in Hilo in 2001. Held every four years, the extraordinary success of the conference continued to Maui in 2005 and on to Oahu in 2009.
With much anticipation and excitement of waiting for almost 13 years, Kauai will finally have its turn to host this prestigious gathering. The aha will be held on the adjacent campuses of Kauai Community College, Kawaikini New Century Public Charter School and Island School in Puhi from July 10 to July 18.
Halauaola will feature 100 kumu hula, cultural practitioners and artisans, who will share their knowledge, experience, artistry and traditional practices with 1,000 participants from all over the world.
Each day will be filled with myriad presentations, experiences and activities for persons interested in hula, Hawaiian music, history and culture.
Individuals, businesses and organizations are invited to take part in presenting this incredible, historic gathering of hula and Hawaiian culture to the world. Tiers of sponsorship opportunities are available to provide partners and sponsors with exceptional promotional exposure and a presence that will begin immediately from the point of commitment.
Info: www.hulaconferences.org or 651-0016.
• Kehaulani Kekua is the conference director for Ka Aha Hula O Halauaola 2014. She is also the Kumu Hula of Halau Palaihiwa O Kaipuwai — one of the oldest traditional hula institutions of Kauai.
