Renowned hula festival returns to live performances Sunday, August 21
WAIKIKI, Hawaii (July 28, 2021) – Waikiki Beach Walk proudly announces the return of live performances of the Hula Ho‘olauna Aloha Festival in a special presentation on Sunday, August 21st at their Plaza Stage.
It will be the first live presentation of the annual festival since 2019.
The Hula Ho‘olauna Aloha Festival was created in 2002 and organized by JALPAK International Japan to foster friendship through hula while celebrating Japan’s love for the hula with live performances in Hawaii by some of Japan’s most esteemed hula halau.
It has traditionally been a four-day event, and since the breakout of the pandemic, it has been virtual, including throughout 2022 with its final virtual presentation scheduled for October 8 and 9.
However, a special condensed edition of the festival will be held live, and in person on August 21st from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Waikiki Beach Walk.
“Waikiki Beach Walk is thrilled, pleased and proud to be a significant part of the return to live presentations by this wonderful festival,” said Blaine Kia, kumu and cultural advisor for Waikiki Beach Walk. “It’s an important signal and step forward towards pre-pandemic times, as well as an honor to be able to showcase the art form as it exists in Japan.”
In pre-pandemic times, Hula Ho‘olauna Aloha traditionally featured more than a dozen halau from throughout Japan performing over several event days. This special presentation at Waikiki Beach Walk will be an abridged taste of five halau within a single performance and provide the public a rare opportunity to experience the beauty and diversity of this beloved Hawaiian art form.
“With its long history of support for Hawaiian culture in general and hula in particular, the Waikiki Beach Walk Plaza Stage is the perfect place for this very special event,” said Eiichi Abe, Event Director of Hula Ho‘olauna Aloha Committee. “We’re thrilled to resume live performances in Hawaii at such an appropriate, beautiful and perfectly intimate setting.”
Participating halau and order of appearance are:
4:30pm: Kumu Hula Leialoha Amina - Special Appearance
5:00pm: Kumu Hula Ed Collier with Halau Hula O Na Pua Kukui
5:30pm: Kumu Hula Sonny Ching & Kumu Hula Lopaka Igarta with Halau Hula Na Mamo O Puʻuanahulu
6:00pm: Kumu Hula Maelia Carter with Halau Hula Ka Ua Noe O Waʻahila
6:20pm: Lehua Kawaikapuokalani Hewett - Special Guest Appearance
Times and order of appearance are subject to change.
Pictured Left: Kumu Hula Leialoha Amina.
Pictured Right: Kumu Hula Ed Collier.
Waikiki Beach Walk is committed to supporting the local community and opportunities to share the Hawaiian culture. The Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame resides at Waikiki Beach Walk’s Royal Room, and in addition to Mele Hali‘a, Waikiki Beach Walk also presents weekly live entertainment each Tuesday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. during “Kū Ha‘aheo,” as well as its popular “Ka Lei Hula” program with complimentary hula practice each Sunday morning at 9 a.m. Additional musical performances are added during the Christmas holidays and at special occasions, such as the annual Makalauna, celebrating the life and music of Charles Philip “Gabby” Pahinui.
ABOUT WAIKIKI BEACH WALK
Waikiki Beach Walk is a vibrant shopping, dining and entertainment district on Lewers Street between Kalakaua Avenue and Kalia Road in Waikiki. The more than 94,000 sq. ft. center boasts some of Hawaii’s greatest boutique shopping experiences with locally made products, award- winning restaurants, nightlife, and world renown Hawaiian entertainment, making Waikiki Beach Walk a slice of Hawaii life, popular with visitors and residents. For information, visit www.waikikibeachwalk.com/ or http://jp.waikikibeachwalk.com/. Follow Waikiki Beach Walk on Facebook, Instagram @waikikibeachwalk and Twitter @WaikikiBeachwlk with #waikikibeachwalk #waikikishopping.
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