For Immediate Release
POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER CONTINUES TO HONOR AND CELEBRATE HAWAIIAN TRADITION AT THE 27TH ANNUAL MOANIKEALA HULA FESTIVAL
FEBRUARY 4, 2017, Laie, Hawaii – Performers of all ages, ranging from keiki (kids) as young as two years old to kupuna (elders) showcased the grace and beauty of the art of hula in the Hawaiian Village at the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC).
Named in honor of the PCC’s first kumu hula (hula teacher), Aunty Sally Moanikeala Wood Naluai, the 27th annual Moanikeala Hula Festival continues to celebrate Hawaiian culture and tradition.
Aunty Sally served as the kumu hula from its opening in October 1963 until she retired in 1980. During her career, Aunty Sally taught several generations of young Polynesians both the kahiko (ancient) and auana (modern) styles of hula.
The annual hoike (exhibition) will feature hula halau (hula schools) from across the islands as well as around the world. Each halau will receive a 20-minute time slot, which is inclusive of any oli (chant) performed and a 10-minute transition period. Performances will be every half-hour from 12:00 – 4:30 p.m. There will be no performances scheduled from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. during the PCC’s Canoe Pageant.
The Moanikeala Hula Festival is one of two cultural events presented annually by the PCC. The We Are Samoa Festival featuring the World Fireknife Championship and the High School Samoan Cultural Arts Festival will be held in May 2016.
Performance line-up today included:
- Kamaluwehiokapalai (Pomaikai Krueger)
- Puanani Aloha (Sensei Yuko Kawamoto)
- Halau Hula Kula Kiekie o Aiea (Jessica Nahale and Melanie Kauvaka)
- Ka Hula O Kealamailani (TeHani Gonzado)
- Halau Hula O Kekela (Kela Miller)
- Kauhale Hawaii (Polynesian Cultural Center)
- Kageyama Hula School (Noriko Kageyama)
- Hula Halau O Waipuilani (Yukiko Lehua nani Abe)
- Santa Hula School (Koko Jitosho)
- Hui Park Hula Studio (Kepoomaikalani Park)
- Napuananionapalionakoolau (Sunday Mariteragi)
For more information, visit www.Polynesia.com or call the Polynesian Cultural Center at (808) 293-3333.
ABOUT POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER
Located on Oahu’s beautiful North Shore, the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) is the only cultural tourist attraction of its kind in the world and a favorite of all visitors to Hawaii. An engaging, interactive celebration showcasing the people, culture, arts and crafts of Polynesia, the PCC has entertained millions of visitors from around the world since opening in 1963. A non-profit organization, 100 percent of PCC’s revenue goes to daily operations and to support the education of its student-employees from neighboring Brigham Young University-Hawaii. For more information, visit www.Polynesia.com.
MEDIA CONTACT
Stefani Wan
(808) 539-3478
Stefani.Wan@AnthologyGroup.com