'Iolani Luahine Hula Festival
The 'Iolani Luahine Hula Festival was established in 2003 with a
vision to perpetuate the hula. It also serves at a way to perpetuate
the memory of 'Iolani Luahine and her contributions to the preservation
of hula and the Hawaiian culture. The festival also provides opportunities
for worldwide halau to participate in the hula art and enables them
to build a relationship that ensures their long-term commitment to
the hula.
See the official He Lei Hiwa No 'Iolani Luahine Festival website for more Information!
About 'Iolani Luahine
'Iolani Luahine was born in 1915 in Nāpo'opo'o. 'Iolani Luahine
was admired as a famed hula dancer that preserved the ancient dance
traditions. She was trained by her aunt Keahi Luahine, and she taught
and coached her niece Hoakalei Kamau'u. Aunty 'Iolani’s superb talents,
attractiveness to audiences, and personal commitment kept the ancient
dance art from being lost. Her career is testament to the adage that
dances are passed down like myths, from one artist to another. 'Iolani
Luahine is one of Hawai'i’s premier performers and cultural treasures.
Read more about 'Iolani Lauhine »
2009 Festival
The fourth He Lei Hiwa No Iolani Luahine Festival was held on January 31, 2009 at the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort, on the anniversary of Iolani Luahine’s birthday. She would have been 94 years old.
Approximately 60 participants attended the morning workshop lead by Macy Hoakaleihina Kamau’u. She taught kahiko noho (sitting) hula of Iolani Luahine’s family. After a wonderful fresh lunch we broke for the 2nd session of workshops for the day. Thirty five (35) continued in an auana (modern) version of the mornings’ session and one hundred and five (105) attended a workshop conducted by Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, youngest member of Iolani’s Halau.
At the end of the day, Mahealani Pai, Historian and Curator for the Kamehameha Investment Corporation took us on a tour to the newly reconstructed Hapaiali'i and Ke'eku heiau and to nearby Kapuanoni heiau where ho’opuku were presented.
Our evening culminated with a historical film on the life of I'olani Luahine followed by a panel discussion with Iolani Luahine’s students, Aunty Queenie Dowsett, Aunty Hilda Keana’aina, Uncle George Naope, Hoakaleihina Kama’u, Poni Kama’u, and Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewitt sharing what it was like to learn from the master. The evening culminated with a poi supper and entertainment by Darlene Ahuna, Heli Silva and Lena Naipo with the Hawaiians Unlimited.
Due to time and budget constraints the hula competition and awards were dropped in favor of the venue that would teach Aunty I’olani Luahine’s hula stylings. Planners are envisioning future festivals for performances and awards among special Kumu and workshop leaders as a 2nd day closing event rather than with the focus being on student competition. There are already many hula competition events in our state and it is our opinion that educational venues are more in line with honoring the memory of Iolani Luahine, which is the mission of this festival – A Lei of Remembrance. As she was first and foremost a teacher of hula and its culture, so too should we try to follow in her footsteps.
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