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Hula O Na Keiki starts Friday

By Staff | Nov 7, 2013

Halau from Japan, California, Maui and Oahu will participate in the 23rd annual Hula O Na Keiki, Maui’s only children’s hula competition, on Nov. 8-10 at Kaanapali Beach Hotel.

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.

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

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.

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.

Children ages 5-17 compete as soloists and as boy and girl pairs in Hula O Na Keiki.

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 “http://www.kbhmaui.com”>www.kbhmaui.com.

UPDATE: Kaanapali Beach Hotel last weekend hosted its 23rd Hula O Na Keiki celebration. The Overall Wahine Award went to Leah Kaumeaaloha Kimi Santiago (pictured) of Halau Kekuaokalaaualailiahi under Na Kumu Iliahi and Haunani Paredes. Kaala Foster of the same halau took home the Overall Kane Award. “Congratulations to all the Hula O Na Keiki winners and participants for their outstanding work celebrating an honored tradition of preserving Hawaiian culture,” said Mike White, the hotel’s general manager. PHOTO BY ZANE MATHIAS.