A Cultural Celebration Of Island Dance

On Sunday, Oct. 10, the Kaua’i version of the popular Aloha Festivals entertained the South Shore.

The Kaua’i version, “Let Us Show You Aloha – Kaua’i Style,” offered hula, Tahitian dancing and the Kaua’i Aloha Festivals Royal Court.

As with each of the prior four events spread out through September and October at various locations, this performance gave itself a name – “Na Hulu Alii” – Celebrating Our Esteemed Chiefs & Chiefesses. Performers included Ladies of Ka Waikahe Lani Malie under the direction of Kumu Hula Laamea Almeida, her kumu, Blaine Kamalani Kia and Nicolas Lovell-Kaneakua, kumu of the Kapaa-based halau, or pupu ori, called Ori Uvira. This event and others of the “Let Us Show You Aloha – Kaua’i Style” were sponsored by the Hawaii Tourism Authority and organized through the Garden Island Arts Council and numerous organizations around the island.

On Friday, Oct. 29, the festival wraps with “He Inoa No Na Lani!” an evening of ancient and modern chants and hula to be held at Kaua’i Beach Resort.

For further information on the closing event of the festival, go to kaieie.org, where you can purchase tickets, or call 346-7574.