‘Imiloa Astronomy Center will present four days of hula-related performances, presentations and demonstrations during the annual Merrie Monarch Festival April 10-13.
‘Imiloa Astronomy Center will present four days of hula-related performances, presentations and demonstrations during the annual Merrie Monarch Festival April 10-13.
Everyone is invited to learn more about the history and cultural significance of hula and its practitioners.
On Tuesday, April 10, at 10 a.m., students of Nawahiokalaniopuu will present Puna Lei Onaona, a hula performance which takes the audience on an epic journey through Puna as they share the stories of the kupuna through mele, hula and Hawaiian language. At 12:30 p.m. join the school’s senior class as students share experiences from sailling from Oahu to Hawaii Island in 2011 through song and a panel discussion.
That Wednesday will feature two musical performances: Kaumakaiwa Kanaka‘ole and Kekuhi Kanahele will share mele from their new album, and Weldon Kekauoha will share his favorite meles and stories about working with various halau. That Thursday at 10 a.m., Adrienne Lois Kaeppler, anthropologist and curator of oceanic ethnology at the National Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., will present Na Momi Makamae, a presentation on kupuna treasures, dance, music, and art. Concluding on Thursday, enjoy a musical performance by Kainani Kahaunaele performing mele from her latest CD release. The Kanaka‘ole ohana members come together as a panel to discuss the importance of their lineage, Ka Welo Hula, to start Friday’s sessions at 10 a.m. The final session, at 1 p.m., will feature the Hula Preservation Society in collaboration with Hakipu‘u Learning Center, in a hula performance and workshop entitled Honoring the Ancients. They will present dances from four coveted implement forms not commonly seen in modern times, and give you a chance to see and even try these rare implements. In order to continue to offer more educational enrichment programs, event program admission is $5 per session for members and $6 per session for nonmembers. Seating is limited. To ensure a seat for a session, purchase tickets in advance. Please call 969-9703 or visit the guest service desk to purchase tickets. For a complete schedule, visit imiloahawai.org.