Early one Sunday morning in November, those strolling along Kāʻanapali Beach near towering Pu‘u Keka‘a (Black Rock) will see something even more striking: a boy and a girl in traditional adornments performing the ancient art of hula while a photographer tries to capture their power and grace.
These are the winners of Hula O Nā Keiki, an annual celebration of Hawaiian culture and heritage at OUTRIGGER Kāʻanapali Beach Resort. One of Hawaii’s premier hula competitions, taking place this year Nov. 7-9, Hula O Nā Keiki is unique in spotlighting keiki (children) soloists, ages 6 to 17, and the stories and songs of the Valley Isle. Hula O Na Keiki will also be replayed online via mele.com (subscription fees apply).
“The festival aims to instill a profound appreciation for the Hawaiian culture and foster a deeper sense of identity among our young participants, connecting them with their Hawaiian heritage,” says Kahulu De Santos, the resort’s cultural director, also known as director of ‘Imi Po‘okela. By learning hula, oli (chants), and mele (songs), she notes, “children are empowered to articulate their newfound understanding of Hawaiian culture.”
Top kumu hula (teachers of hula) from around the islands judged the young dancers on their use of Hawaiian language in the oli and on their movements, expressions and costume in the dance, among other categories. Before the performances, the judges also interview the contestants to test their understanding of the mele (chants, poetry).
Since its founding in 1990 by the late Akoni Akana and Kanoʻeau Delatori, the festival has produced a number of winners who have gone on to become kumu hula, leading their own hālau (groups). Several have even returned to showcase their young students. Winners typically receive specially crafted traditional instruments as well as craft prizes.
Two overall winners will each receive an incredible prize package including:
- Roundtrip inter-island airfare generously sponsored by Hawaiian Airlines; Two-night stay at an OUTRIGGER property; Professional photoshoot and framed print; Crafted koa Papa Hehi sponsored by Kanile’a ‘Ukulele
- All participants will receive a stylish Day Tripper bag, donated by Aloha Collection; a special Hula O Na Keiki logo bag donated by Willams & Associates; and top scorers can strive for certificates, cash prizes and unique mea makamae (precious treasures) or hula instruments handcrafted by skilled cultural practitioners from Kawenaokeao Cultural Center.
The event also has a separate goal of promoting the creation of new mele, “encouraging the creation of contemporary compositions that reflect today’s experiences,” De Santos says. “Hula O Nā Keiki remains steadfast in its mission to celebrate the traditions and stories of the island while inspiring kumu (teachers) and haumāna (students) to compose new mele that resonate with the heart of Maui.”
While it’s hard to snag tickets for one of the 400 seats in OUTRIGGER resort’s Kanahele Room for the competition, which showcases kahiko (traditional) hula on the first night and ‘auana (modern) on the second night, the accompanying Hawaiian Arts Market is open to all. Cultural workshops and exhibits, along with sales by local artisans and designers, will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 8-9 in the resort’s ‘Ohana Room and on the lobby and resort lawns.
Live entertainment on the Niuolahiki Lawn is also free and open to the public, including Pueo Pata, Mark Palakiko and Kason Gomes from noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 7; Hoaka (Kason Gomes and Kalani Miles) from noon to 1 p.m. and Namaka Pauole from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. Nov. 8; and the Nāpili Kai Foundation from noon to 1 p.m. and Joshua Kahula from 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Nov. 9.
Those who can’t make Hula O Nā Keiki still have other opportunities to enjoy keiki and adult hula outside the usual pricey luau shows. Lahaina Cannery Mall, for example, hosts an annual keiki hula festival in August. Although not a competition, the free event features children’s performances as well as hula lessons, cultural crafts for adults and children, live music and local food and vendors. The mall also hosts a free hour-long hula show on its indoor stage every Sunday at 1 p.m., and offers free hula lessons there Thursdays at 2:30 p.m.
Maui’s most prestigious adult hula competition, Kū Mai Ka Hula, includes solo and group performances by men and women as well as a special kupuna (seniors) division at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in September. Created by Hula O Nā Keiki co-founder Akoni Akana in 2000 under the name Maui Festivals, the single-day event took on its current incarnation under kumu hula Hōkūlani Holt in 2006. It now regularly attracts hālau from Hawaii, Japan and the continental United States — Berkeley’s own Hālau Ka Ua Tuahine, directed by kumu hula Mahealani Uchiyama, won the group ‘auana kūpuna award in 2024. Elite judges select the winners of the Mr. and Ms. Hula Maui solo honors, group awards for ‘auana and kahiko hula, and special awards recognizing excellence in Hawaiian language, oli, breadth of participation and research.
