Honolulu, Hawai'i - Moanalua Gardens Foundation (MGF) is proud to announce the premiere of the virtual 43rd Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival on Thursday, November 5 from 7 to 9 p.m. on KHON2. The two-hour program, presented in part by the Hawai'i Tourism Authority, will also be live streamed on www.khon2.com and KHON’s YouTube channel. It will be rebroadcast on Saturday, November 7 from 7 to 9 p.m. on KHON2, and on Sunday, November 8, from 8 to 10 p.m. on KHII.
Instead of a live in-person event, this year’s first virtual festival, produced by Moanalua Gardens Foundation, was filmed at historic Hanaiakamalama (Queen Emma Summer Palace) and features eleven hālau hula in an inspiring program of hula with special messages of aloha from each kumu. Founded in 1978, the festival honors Prince Lot Kapuaiwa, who helped reprise hula in Moanalua and reigned as Kamehameha V from 1863 to 1872.
“While we cannot safely gather together in person during the pandemic, we wanted to bring our program of aloha through hula to the families and kupuna here in Hawai'i and beyond our shores so they can watch it in the security of their homes,” said Alika Jamile, Executive Director and President of Moanalua Gardens Foundation.
The program will showcase a mixture of both kahiko and 'auana dances with halau performing at various locations at the Queen Emma Summer Palace in compliance with State and County COVID-19 guidelines.
“The cultural vibrancy of hula resonates throughout our island communities and around the world, which in turn inspires us to perpetuate this ancestral tradition by supporting the Prince Lot Hula Festival,” shared John De Fries, President & CEO of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority.
Veteran producer and senior media producer of the Merrie Monarch Festival for 27 years, David Kalama of Kalama Productions is producing the show presented by Moanalua Gardens Foundation.
A highlight of the show will be a special performance by MGF’s Malia Kau Award recipient Kumu Hula Leimomi Ho and Kealiʻikaʻapunihonua Keʻena Aʻo Hula.
The virtual festival will premiere on Moanalua Gardens Foundation's Facebook site on Monday, November 16 and on their YouTube channel with additional vignettes on Tuesday, December 1.
“We are deeply grateful to our loyal sponsors who are helping to make this broadcast possible,” said Jamile. They include Presenting Sponsor the Hawai'i Tourism Authority, as well as the National Endowment for the Arts, the Hawai'i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, the Nakila & Marti Steele Family Fund of the Hawai'i Community Foundation, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, The Dolores Furtado Martin Foundation, Kamehameha Schools, The Queen’s Health Systems, PA'I Foundation, Matson Navigation and others.
About Moanalua Gardens Foundation
A non-profit organization founded in 1970, Moanalua Gardens Foundation (MGF) is committed to preserving and perpetuating the native culture and environment of Hawai'i through stewardship of Kamananui Valley and celebration of the Prince Lot Hula Festival. MGF is continuing to fundraise to pay for the production and people can help by going to www.moanaluagardensfoundation.org/donate to make a donation or become a member.
Media Contact
Company Name: Moanalua Gardens Foundation
Contact Person: Pauline Worsham, Managing Director
Email: Send Email
Phone: 808.497.4084
Address:1414 Dillingham Blvd., Ste. 211
City: Honolulu
State: Hawaii
Country: United States
Website: http://www.moanaluagardensfoundation.org/donate
