>> Tickets: $15 for ages 13 and over, $6 for ages 12 and under (infants and toddlers who sit on someone’s lap are free), $20 for reserved seating, $25 for premium seating. Call to buy tickets, which can be picked up on Thursday and Friday at the Ohana Fun Center in the lobby from 7 a.m. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.
Notes: The hotel is offering a special nightly rate of $176 ($139 for kamaaina) for attendees on Friday and Saturday.
Project Pookela
In his thought-provoking speech at the 1984 Governor’s Tourism Conference, the late state Sen. Kenneth Brown noted that although many visitors are drawn to Hawaii because of its culture, much of that has been lost, and it is critical to preserve what remains.
Michael White, general manager of the Kaanapali Beach Hotel, took Brown’s words to heart. With the late George Kanahele, an esteemed Native Hawaiian historian and author, he designed and implemented Project Pookela in May 1986 “to enhance (employees’) understanding and appreciation of the Hawaiian culture so that we can help to preserve it for future generations.”
Every employee had the opportunity to provide input on the hotel’s mission statement, which emphasizes Hawaiian values such as hookipa (hospitality), aloha (love), kokua (helpfulness) and lokahi (harmony). Offered three times annually, Project Pookela’s classes cover religion, medicine, stewardship of the land and other topics that were important to Hawaiians before Western contact and remain relevant.
An offshoot of Project Pookela, Hula o na Keiki was the brainchild of the late Kanoeau Delatori and the late Akoni Akana, two of Kaanapali Beach Hotel’s cultural resource advisers. Since its premiere in 1990, the competition has drawn participants from Hawaii, California, Las Vegas and Japan. More than $10,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded for its silver anniversary this year.
Highlights
See accompanying “If You Go” sidebar for Hula o na Keiki admission prices. The activities below are free and in the Tiki Courtyard unless otherwise noted.
Friday
8 a.m.-4 p.m.:
>> Memorabilia display and photo collage, lobby. Through Sunday.
>> Hawaiian Festival of Arts & Crafts, lobby and Tiki Courtyard. Also on Saturday.
>> Friends of Mokuula (mokuula.com) display. Also on Saturday.
9 a.m.- 4 p.m.:
Entertainment. Also on Saturday.
10-10:45 a.m.
Pahu drumming lessons. Also on Saturday.
12-12:45 p.m.
Ukulele lessons. Also on Saturday.
1-3 p.m.
Hula implements workshop, $10 per person
4:30-8:30 p.m.
Kahiko competition, Kanahele Room
Saturday
9-11 a.m.
Hula implements workshop, $10 per person
1-5 p.m.
Auana and hula palua competitions and awards ceremony, Kanahele Room
Nov. 15
8-9 a.m.
Nondenominational workshop service, Hale Hema, fronting the Lanai Wing
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sunday Champagne Brunch, Tiki Terrace (broadcast live on KPOA-93.5 FM)
Also enjoy an arts and crafts fair and entertainment by past Hula o na Keiki participants. Cost is $44.95 for adults and $22.95 for children 6 to 12. Kids 5 and under are free with a paying adult. Reservations are required; receive $2 off the adult price with each adult Hula o na Keiki ticket stub.