Hula festival heads to Iolani Palace

Laukanaka ka hula — multitudes of hula people gather.

That is the theme of the 2017 Prince Lot Hula Festival, the 40th anniversary of the event on Saturday and Sunday. For the first time in its history, the renowned hula gathering will take place in a new location, at Prince Lot Kaupuaiwa’s official residence, his second home, Iolani Palace.

The event is the largest noncompetitive hula presentation in Hawaii. Named in memory of Prince Lot, who later reigned as King Kamehameha V, the festival was founded in 1978 by the nonprofit Moanalua Gardens Foundation.

Saturday’s opening ceremony at 9 a.m. will be followed by the presentation of Moanalua Gardens Foundation’s Kukui o Lot Awards, recognizing service to the community by former U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, kumu hula Vicky Holt Takamine and Charles M. Cooke IV.

Kimo Kahoano, familiar to many through his televised hosting appearances at Merrie Monarch and “Hawaii Stars,” returns as the voice of Prince Lot Hula. Kahoano says he is very pleased about the new location.

“I can almost walk from my home,” Kahoano said. “I know we will have a large number of first-timers who never made it out to the gardens.”

In the area of the palace’s barracks, the Prince Lot craft fair will feature crafters, Hawaiian artists and practitioners demonstrating lau hala weaving, kapa making, feather lei making and ipu carving.

On Saturday, Iolani Palace will be open for ticketed tours. On Sunday, to honor Prince Lot, entrance to the palace will be free.

Master chanter Cy Bridges, a Merrie Monarch hula festival judge and author whom many consider the ultimate source for chant information, will receive the inaugural Namakahelu Oli Award at 10 a.m. Sunday for his contributions to preserving the oral traditions of hula.

For years, Bridges said he “has been honored” to offer his expertise to the festival. “It brings the ancient ritual of announcing the alii into modern times and introduces it to keiki and all dancers.”

His great-great-grandfather, whom he calls “tutu-man,” was James Kapihe Palea Kuluwaimaka, a chanter in the royal court of King Kamehameha IV. The award he will receive is named after Namakahelu, the last chantress of Moanalua Valley. Bridges humbly describes himself as “country” and “a Laie boy.”

Bridges’ Hui Ho‘oulu Aloha halau will present a tribute to their kumu, who carries on the tradition of his ancestors.

Kumu hula Leimomi I Maldonado and her brother Milton I will receive the Malia Kau Award for their dedication to hula traditions, as taught to them by the late kumu Maiki Aiu Lake. Milton, one of Maiki Aiu Lake’s first male students, was also the first male dancer in Waikiki’s most famous showrooms, breaking new ground for other male dancers to follow.

Twelve halau hula will be showcased Saturday, including halau Ka Pa Nani o Lilinoe, led by Lilinoe Lindsey, niece of the late kumu Joan Lindsey, and joined by Joan Lindsey’s students.

Featured halau on Sunday include Ka Hale I o Kahala Halau Hula, led by Leimomi I Maldonado; and Halau Hula ‘O Hokulani, led by the late Hokulani De Rego’s three daughters, Leinani Lauaki, Kehaulani Kawai and Leonani Naho‘oikaika.

Nalani Kanakaole’s Halau o Kekuhi from Hawaii island returns to the festival for the first time in decades.

Debuting at the festival are Tony Conjugacion’s Halau Na Wainohia; Sky Gora and Liko Cooke’s Kilipohe Na Leilehua; and Halau Mapuna Leo, led by Kamana‘o Mano‘i-Hyde.

New festival buttons, posters and T-shirts designed by Shannon Weaver are available for purchase. Proceeds benefit the festival.

Visitors are welcome to bring low beach chairs and mats. For parking options, find a list with costs and location at moanaluagardensfoundation.org.