The week-long Mokihana Festival started Sunday at 10 a.m. with a blessing and service at the Kapaa First Hawaiian Church.
Presented by the Malie Foundation, the Mokihana Festival is a celebration of Hawaiian culture through presentations that include lectures, workshops, music, including a composers’ contest, and highlighted by a two-day hula competition.
Themed Ka Makahiki O Na Hula O Kauai, several of the presentations come with admission while others are free and open to the public.
On Monday, the Mokihana Festival featured the Composers Contest and Concert at the Outrigger Kauai Beach Resort from 6 p.m.
Schools participating in the E Liliu Song Competition had a workshop on Tuesday morning in preparation for their respective presentations.
Tuesday evening, Mokihana Festival audience can enjoy the music of Kamakane Hopkins at the Outrigger Kauai Beach Resort from 5 to 7 p.m.
Activities move to the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall on Thursday through Saturday with a free craft fair offering and food from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Saturday, the final day of the hula competition, the craft fair and food offerings are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
There is an admission fee for the Thursday workshop with Kumu Kapu Kinimaka-Alquiza, a former participant at the prestigious Merrie Monarch Hula Festival on the Big Island, and traveler to perform and teach hula in Japan.
Currently, Kumu Kapu and her team of alaka‘i offer the halau’s signature Holiday Hula, and Father’s Day hoike with dancers from all parts of the island.
Friday and Saturday are the days for the hula competition that attract halau from Kauai and beyond. Friday, the Kahiko Nei will be featured when doors open at 5 p.m., and Saturday, the ‘Auana, or contemporary, hula will be featured when the curtains rise at 11 a.m.
A portion of the proceeds from this week-long festival of Hawaiian culture is set aside for scholarships presented by the Malie Foundation.
The Mokihana Festival is sponsored by Alexander and Baldwin, the County of Kauai, Grand Pacific Resorts, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Kilohana, the Outrigger Kauai Beach Resort, Kukuiula, Kanaeokana, and the Hawaii Community Foundation.
For more information, visit the Malie Foundation website at www.maliefoundation.org.
Source: The Garden Island
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