The 2023 Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival is slated for Saturday, Aug. 12, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Banyan Tree Park in Lahaina. The event will pay tribute to Sharpe, a renowned kumu hula, with free keiki activities, workshops, Hawaii made artisans and hula accompanied by beautiful Hawaiian music.

LAHAINA — The 2023 Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival is taking place on Saturday, Aug. 12, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. beneath the iconic Banyan Tree in Lahaina, where the captivating art of hula will be showcased.

Enjoy free keiki activities, workshops, Hawaii made artisans and hula accompanied by beautiful Hawaiian music.

Halau Hula performing include:

Na Pua O Kapi’olani Hula Studio & Napili Kai Foundation, Kumu Hula Holoaumoku Ralar;

Halau Hula Kauluokala and Kumu Hula Uluwehi Guerrero;

Halau Na Lei Kaumaka O Uka and Kumu Hula Napua Silva;

Halau Keola Alii O Kekai and Kumu Hula Iola Balubar;

Halau O Ka Hanu Lehua and Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona.

“Teaching our hula workshop this year is award-winning Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona,” shared Daryl Fujiwara, the event coordinator. “It’s a very comfortable way to get your feet wet and learn hula without the pressure of commitment. ‘Mai hilahila, no be shame,’ come and learn.”

A free Ukulele Workshop taught by Jason Jerome of Lahaina Music will be held at noon and a Hula Workshop at 2 p.m. Please note that times and locations for classes can change at any time. Reserve your workshop space by filling out the google form at https://forms.gle/cNZTERwzxRiFeBhW7.

A renowned kumu hula, “Aunty Emma” made it her mission to perpetuate hula and the Hawaiian culture, so she created the Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival.

It started in conjunction with Na Mele O Maui, a choir contest among Maui County schools, grades K-12, that continues today.

Emma was one of the founders of Na Mele and added on a hula festival in her name. Sadly, it phased out in the early 1990s.

Mahalo to the County of Maui Office of Economic Development, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, Maui Visitors Bureau, Lahaina Hawaiian Civic Club, LahainaTown Action Committee, Best Western Pioneer Inn, Na Pua O Kapi’olani Hula Studio, Kathy Holoaumoku Ralar, Lahaina Restoration Foundation, ‘Ohana Farden and Pacific Media Group-KPOA 93.5 FM for supporting the event.

For more information about the 2023 Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival, check out facebook.com/efshf.