HONOLULU — Moanalua Gardens Foundation announced the premiere of the virtual 44th annual Prince Lot Hula Festival on Thursday, Oct. 28 from 7 to 9 p.m. on KHON2.
The two-hour program, presented in part by Kamehameha Schools and Central Pacific Bank, will also be live-streamed on www.khon2.com and KHON’s YouTube channel.
It will be rebroadcast on Sunday, Oct. 31, from 8 to 10 p.m. on KHII; on Thursday, Nov. 4 from 7 to 9 p.m. on KHON2; and Sunday, Nov. 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. on the CW.
This year’s virtual festival, produced by Moanalua Gardens Foundation, was filmed at historic Hanaiakamalama (Queen Emma Summer Palace) and features nine halau hula in an inspiring program of hula with messages of aloha from each kumu.
Highlights will include a solo performance of “Ku‘u Pua I Paoakalani” by Kumu Hula Vicky Holt Takamine with Robert Uluwehi Cazimero providing musical accompaniment and Kumu Hula Michael Pili Pang’s Halau Hula Ka Noe‘au dancing.
Founded in 1978, the festival honors Prince Lot Kapuaiwa, who helped reprise hula in Moanalua and reigned as Kamehameha V from 1863 to 1872.
“While we cannot safely gather together in person during the pandemic, we wanted to bring our program of hula with aloha to the families and kupuna here in Hawai‘ and beyond our shores so they can watch it in the security of their homes,” said Alika Jamile, MGF president and executive director.
The program will showcase a mixture of both kahiko and ‘auana dances with halau performing at various locations at the palace in compliance with state and county COVID-19 guidelines.
“At Kamehameha Schools, we believe in the importance of celebrating our culture to inspire our keiki, help them learn from the wisdom passed down through generations and strengthen the foundation of their identity as Native Hawaiians,” said Lauren Nahme, Kamehameha Schools vice president of strategy and transformation.
“Throughout the pandemic, Central Pacific Bank has been proud to help events like the Prince Lot Hula Festival adopt digital technology to showcase hula to the world,” said Brandt Farias, CPB senior vice president of marketing.
Veteran producer and senior media producer of the Merrie Monarch Festival for 27 years, David Kalama of Kalama Productions, is producing the show.
The show will feature special performances by MGF’s Malia Kau Award recipient Kumu Hula Lilinoe Lindsey and Ka PaNani ‘O Lilinoe, and Namakahelu Oli Award recipient Master Chanter Manu Boyd.
The virtual festival will premiere on MGF’s Facebook site on Monday, Nov. 15, and on their YouTube channel with additional vignettes on Saturday, Dec. 11.
Other sponsors include the National Endowment for the Arts, the Hawai’i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, The Queen’s Health Systems, Hawaiian Airlines, PA’I Foundation, Matson Navigation, Alexander &Baldwin, Hawaiian Electric and PASHA Hawai‘i.
Mahalo plenty for sharing the treasures of our Hawai’i nei and God Bless each and every one of you folks who made this happen. With all the Aloha and sincerity that was shared, you planted lots of hope for everyone to change their attitude. So, on a wing and a prayer, “Make Gratitude YOUR Attitude.” E hana kakou!
Mahalo,
Lynise Tarring