Hula O Nā Keiki, a traditional annual event held at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel, is a hula competition for junior hula dancers ages 5-17. It is known as one of the most important hula competitions held on Maui. Originally, the 30th Hula o Na Keiki was to be held in 2020, but the new coronavirus that has plunged the world into turmoil has been raging in Hawaii, and due to its effects, the 2020 and 2021 competitions were cancelled. This year, however, the situation has calmed down and the event will finally be held. Hula o Na Keiki also has a Japanese competition, where the overall winner can participate in the main competition, but unfortunately, there was no Japanese participation this year.
Hula competition is divided into two categories: classical and contemporary. Hula o Na Keiki begins on the eve of the festival on November 10, with a traditional classical hula competition called “Kahiko” on the 11th and a contemporary hula competition called “Auana” on the 12th for the judges and audience. This year again, 65 elite hula dancers, both male and female, ranging in age from 5 to 17, who have honed their skills at renowned hula schools (halau), gathered from all over the Hawaiian Islands to showcase their energetic dances. The competition consisted of individual and team competitions, and each dancer had to give their all on stage for six minutes. The most prestigious and largest hula competition in Hawaii is the Merrie Monarch Festival, held in April in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii. This is also called the “Olympics of Hula” and is said to be the biggest event in Hawaii, with about 1,000 people competing.
The hula was originally a tribute to nature and the gods by the ancient people who came to Hawaii. The dance was performed for royalty and passed down through generations in ceremonies and other important ways. The basic costume is a tea-leaf skirt made from the leaves of the tee plant, and leis and other natural plants that are said to possess the power of spirits are worn on the feet, hands, neck, and head. The musical instruments used for accompaniment consist only of rhythmic percussion instruments such as the ipuheke drum made from gourd and the pu’ili made from bamboo, creating a very simple but solemn atmosphere. This was the first time for me to see kahiko in front of my eyes, and I was surprised and impressed by its powerful and mysterious dance. Although I did not understand the Hawaiian language or the meaning of the movements, the chants sung with a unique rhythm and breathing technique (many of them praising nature, gods, and royalty) moved from my ears to my whole body, and the children performing the choreography moved so well that the six minutes passed in the blink of an eye. I felt as if I had learned from the children the importance of the way people living on a volcanic island surrounded by the sea love and respect nature.
The modern hula is attractive for its free conception and dance. The auana, on the other hand, was quite different, with each dancer dancing freely in a variety of styles. The accompaniment was quite free, with ukuleles, guitars, and other instruments used in Hawaiian music. Costumes varied according to the performance, from dresses reminiscent of ethnic costumes to western-style costumes with cowboy boots, each with their own unique style of expression. The basic movements of the hula, such as the hands and feet, were the same, but the dancers were more dynamic and graceful. Some of them were quite aggressive, like cheerleaders, and the audience cheered loudly whenever they performed their moves, making the performance very interesting and entertaining.
© Source travel watch