Moanalua Gardens Foundation Announces Partnership With KHON2 for Virtual 43rd Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival
Honolulu, Hawai‘i – Instead of a live in-person event, I Ulu Nō Ka Lālā I Ke Kumu, Youth blossoms from a strong foundation, the 43rd Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival, is moving to a televised program on KHON2 on Thursday, October 29 from 7 to 9 pm, announced Moanalua Gardens Foundation (MGF), the festival’s producer. Founded in 1978, the festival honors Prince Lot Kapuāiwa, 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 kūpuna 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.
Eleven hālau hula will be featured in the telecast showing a mixture of kahiko and ‘auana dances. Each hālau will be filmed separately at various locations at the Queen Emma Summer Palace in compliance with State and County COVID-19 guidelines to ensure that all participants are protected. Veteran producer and senior media producer for the Merrie Monarch Festival for 27 years, David Kalama of Kalama Productions will be producing the show.
The two-hour virtual festival will also be live streamed globally and rebroadcast on KHON2 and sister station KHII. It can also be viewed later on MGF’s YouTube channel, along with additional vignettes that could not be included in the television program.
“We are excited to be partnering with KHON2 on this special telecast which will include messages of aloha from our participating kumu hula,” Jamile stated. More information will be posted on KHON2’s and MGF’s websites and social media platforms as it becomes available.
“On behalf of the KHON2 ‘Ohana, we are honored to be part of the 43rd Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival. We believe it is so important to perpetuate the native Hawaiian culture and share with viewers on-air, and on-line, the beauty and art of hula. Especially during this time, we need to elevate and recognize the importance of our traditions and our history” said Kristina Lockwood, Vice President and General Manager of KHON2.
“We are deeply grateful to our loyal sponsors who are helping to make this broadcast possible,” said Jamile. To date, they include the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kamehameha Schools, Matson Navigation and The Queen’s Health Systems. Other funders include the National Endowment for the Arts and the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
MGF is continuing to fundraise to pay for the production and people can help by going to www.kickstarter.com or www.moanaluagardensfoundation.org/donate to make a donation.
The virtual program will include performances by MGF’s Malia Kau Award recipient Kumu Hula Leimomi Ho and Keali’ika’apunihonua Ke’ena A’o Hula, and master chanter Kalani Akana, receiver of the Namakahelu Oli Award.
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 relies on grants and donations to produce the festival.
To make a donation or become a member please visit www.moanaluagardensfoundation.org/donate
Media Contact
Company Name: Moanalua Gardens Foundation
Contact Person: Pauline Worsham
Email: Send Email
Phone: 808.497.4084
Country: United States
Website: http://www.moanaluagardensfoundation.org/donate
