Dance festival

Japanese hula group, Mapuana’s Hula Nanis; Na Hoku Hanohano nominee, Michael Keale and Enka singing sensation, Torao Hikariyama from Oahu are headliners at the second “Ho’onani Kauai Festival: A Celebration of Cross Cultural Dance and Music” on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at Courtyard By Marriott at Coconut Beach Resort in Waipouli.

The concert is a fundraiser for Kauai Japanese Cultural Society.

Kumu hula Mapuana Kazama will bring 40 dancers from Odawara near the resort town of Atami and Fuji City in Shizuoka near Mt. Fuji. They’ll perform eight group hula and four solo performances.

The hula halau will perform to many of Michael Keale’s songs from his two CDs which garnered nomination as best new vocalist at Na Hoku Hanohano awards.

Keale will also perform songs from his new recording including “Makaiwa” and “Hanalei I’m Coming Back To You”.

By popular demand, Torao Hikariyama, aka Tevita Apina, from Oahu will perform Japanese enka-style songs that took first place at KZOO karaoke contest five years ago which led to him performing on TV and shows in Japan.

The 21-year-old is fluent in Japanese; plays shamisen (Japanese three stringed instrument); shakuhachi (bamboo flute); tsutsumi (small hand-held drum) and composes songs in Japanese. Torao made his Kauai premiere at Matsuri Kauai Festival in October 2017 which drew standing-room crowd. He’ll have his CD available at Ho’onani Kauai Festival.

The event will also feature Kauai’s kane (male) solo hula dance.

Ho’onani Kauai Festival will be held at The Paddle Room at Courtyard By Marriott with limited seating. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and show begins at 6. Tickets are $20 general admission and $35 for VIP seating which includes special gifts from Japan.

There are limited seats set aside for kupuna (senior citizen 65 and over) at $15, first-come, first-serve basis.

For ticket information contact Pearl Shimizu at 822-5353 or email: pkgshim3@hawaiiantel.net.