HONOLULU (KHON2) -- The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Outreach College is excited to host the 2024 Asia Pacific Dance Festival from Aug. 5 to 10.
This vibrant event will celebrate the rich tradition of hula through workshops, classes, field trips, and performances.
Leading the festival are esteemed Kumu Hula Maelia Loebenstein Carter and Kawaikapuokalani Hewett.
They will guide participants in exploring hula's deep cultural connections, including ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language), mālama ʻāina (caring for the land), and ʻike kūpuna (ancestral knowledge). These workshops are designed for all hula enthusiasts, from beginners to experienced dancers.
Festival ighlights
Workshops
- Aug. 5 and 7, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. - Hula workshops focusing on traditional practices and teachings.
- Aug. 6, Noon–4 p.m. - A field trip chronicling Kamehameha’s journey from Honolulu Harbor to the Pali.
- Aug. 8, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. - A visit to the Bishop Museum to explore Hawaiian artifacts and history.
Evening events
- Aug. 5, 6 p.m. at Pearl City Public Library: Kumu Hula Leialoha Lim Amina.
- Aug. 6, 6 p.m. at Kahuku Public and School Library: Kumu Hula Kapua Dalire-Moe.
- Aug. 7, 6 p.m. at Kapolei Public Library: Kumu Hula Sonny Ching and Lopaka Igarta-De Vera.
- Aug. 8, 6 p.m. at UH Mānoa Art Auditorium: Films and discussions by the Hula Preservation Society.
- Aug. 9, 6 p.m. at UH Mānoa Kennedy Theatre: Panel discussion with nā kumu hula, facilitated by Lehua Kawaikapuokalani and Maelia Loebenstein Carter.
Culminating performance
The festival will conclude with a grand performance on Aug. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at UH Mānoa Kennedy Theatre.
This showcase will feature kumu hula and their hālau, highlighting what participants have learned throughout the week.
Registration and tickets
Workshop passes for single day - $60, Full week - $175 (includes lunch, transportation, museum admission, and talk story sessions).
Performance tickets: range from $12 to $30.
Free events include evening talk story sessions are open to the public.
For more information and to register, click here. Don’t miss this chance to deepen your understanding of hula and its cultural significance.
This festival is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the art of hula, guided by some of Hawaiʻi's most respected kumu hula.