HANAMA‘ULU — E Kanikapila Kakou, now in week four of its 37th season that features the theme of “Hula, Mele &Mo‘olelo,” continues its 10 consecutive Monday nights of heritage Hawaiian music.
On Feb. 10 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Kaua‘i Beach Resort near Hanama‘ulu, the audience may expect an evening of Hawaiian mele and hula from kumu hula Michael Pili Pang.
An evening at E Kanikapila Kakou — it translates to “let’s play a stringed instrument together” — begins at 6 p.m. with a breakout group of instrument and/or hula lessons in which the guest artists teach a song they will play or a hula to perform during the evening. EKK welcomes audience members to bring their own instruments or just sit in to learn how to play and sing a song, or dance a hula.
From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., the featured artists take to the stage, and it’s showtime, with lots of talk story.
These evenings are moving, sometimes hilarious, always enriching, and connect audiences with a mix of Hawai‘i’s most popular slack-key guitar, ‘ukulele and hula legends. EKK audience members come from around the globe, and many have attended for over three decades.
Pang, of Halau Hula Ka Noeau Hula Academy, offers EKK a unique presentation on this night, narrating the evolution of hula through decades of hula kahiko (modern hula) and hula chants, followed by a showcase of hula ‘auana (ancient) and mele.
From as early as 1865, the style called hula ku‘i (joined hula), blending native and foreign elements, became popular, and Pang, who studied with hula master Maiki Aiu and Mae Kamamalu Klein and master chanter Pualani Kanaka‘ole Kanahele, will guide the audience through the genealogy of the traditional hula ku‘i.
A suggested donation of $10 to $15 in the calabash treats attendees to an evening of aloha from the heart. A no-host bar and food concession in the ballroom operates throughout the event.
Persons with disabilities who need assistance should email Carol Yotsuda in advance at giac05@icloud.com.
E Kanikapila Kakou 2020 is funded in part by Hawai‘i Tourism through the Community Enrichment program, and is supported by the County of Kaua‘i Office of Economic Development, the Kaua‘i Beach Resort, the Garden Island Arts Council and EKK supporters.
On Monday, Feb. 17, EKK presents Lihau and Kellen Paik, better known as Kupaoa, together with the Ke Ala Aumoe Hula dancers.
