Open to hula students from around the world, this year’s participants include halau from Japan, California, Maui and Oahu.

KAANAPALI – The 23rd annual Hula O Na Keiki, Maui’s only children’s hula competition, is set for Nov. 8-10 at Kaanapali Beach Hotel.

This weekend competition will commemorate one of Hawaii’s richest traditions.

Children ages 5-17 compete as soloists and as boy and girl pairs. The competition includes a judge’s interview and their hula performances in both kahiko (ancient) and auana (modern) dance categories. The students are judged on their proficiency of the Hawaiian language and the appropriateness of their costume.

To complement the keiki hula competition, weekend festivities at the hotel include arts and crafts from all islands, cultural and hula workshops and Hawaiian entertainment.

Tickets are now available at Kaanapali Beach Hotel’s Ohana Fun Center; call 667-0129. The Hawaiian Festival of Arts and Crafts runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The doors for the competition open Friday, Nov. 8, at 3 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 9, at 1 p.m. Sunday features an award-winning Champagne Brunch.

For reservations at the hotel, call 661-0011 or visit www.kbhmaui.com.