Kauai Mokihana Festival is just ahead of us and there’s a lot to look forward to! Held from September 24th to 30th, this week long festival of Hawaiian culture is held at various locations all over Kauai. The full schedule is below, but if you want to find out more click here to be taken to the website.
• A Hawaiian Church Service will be held on Sunday, September 24th, 10am, at Kapa’a First Hawaiian Church.
Welcome all as we celebrate with special music; even a little hula now and then in both English and the Hawaiian languages. This event is held at the historic Kapaʻa First Hawaiian Church founded by Queen Deborah Kapule in 1879. Kauaʻi Mokihana Festival volunteers and supporters provide the special music for this service that is open to all residents and visitors. After the service, all are invited to join in refreshments.
• The Kauai Composers Concert & Contest will be on Monday, September 25th, 7pm, at the Historic Waimea Theatre
Celebrating its 33rd anniversary as a founding event of the Kauaʻi Mokihana Festival, this event encourages the composition of new music through its various categories including: Hawaiian (must be in the Hawaiian language), Contemporary Hawaiian, Open and Professional. Trophies and cash prizes are awarded. Participants in this contest are inspired by sharing their personal musical creations with the Island’s people and visitors.
• Eō, E Liliʻu, will be on Tuesday, September 26th, 9am, at Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall
A growing and exciting event that allows students in the Hawaiian immersion school programs on Kauaʻi to compete musically by grades with songs in the Hawaiian language.
• Learn About Māori: The Indigenous People of Aotearoa, on Tuesday, September 26th, 5pm, at Kanuikapono Charter School, Anahola
This is a free event. You will learn about what it is, where this culture is mostly studied, the art (ta moko) you see on many of the Maori people, how it is portrayed in the media, the songs and dances, food, customs they still value along with their own language they preserve and perpetuate today.
• Ka Meaʻai Pono, Ethnic Healthy Living, on Wednesday, September 27th, 6:30pm at Hoʻōla Lāhui Hawaiʻi Fitness Center, Lihuʻe
This is a free event. Meet Sharon DelaPena, Dietician, who believes that by making small dietary and lifestyle changes, you can achieve your overall nutrition goal and will be able to maintain those healthy habits for lifetime. Learn about selected ethnic easy, fast and delicious foods to prepare for the fast pace of living we all face today.
• The Hula Competition Solo/Group Kahiko Nei, will be on Tuesday, September 28th, 6pm, at Kauaʻi War Memorial Convention Hall
This event demonstrates a creative and unique idea in hula in the ancient style (kahiko) with a slight twist of Kaua’i flavor. Newer chants are encouraged by judges. Chants that are 10 years old or less get five bonus points. Three bonus points are given to chants 20 years or younger.
• The Nā Lei Puaʻole Flowerless Lei Contest, Friday, will be on September 29th, 10am, at Kauaʻi War Memorial Convention Hall
The Mālie Foundation is excited to present Nā Lei Pua ʻOle, a unique lei contest and exhibition celebrating the lei art form, its Hawaiian culture history, and resources available honoring our beloved Queen Deborah Kapule, which makes this event very special. Our hope is to continue the perpetuation of lei making utilizing the various style techniques as we celebrate Ka Makahiki O Nā Mo`omeheu O Hawai`i Nei – Year of Cultures of Hawai`i and its connection to the giving and receiving of lei. There are five (5) categories; Leaves/Vines, Seed/Nuts, Shells, Feathers, and Recycle/Reuse. The Recycle/Reuse category encourages participants to incorporate recycled materials or synthetic materials such as paper, plastic, tin, rick-rack, silk, ribbon, yarn, cotton, etc. Please call Maile Baird at (808) 651-0262 for additional information.
• The Hula Competition Group ʻAuana, will be on Friday, September 29th, 6pm at Kauaʻi War Memorial Convention Hall
This is the second evening of hula competition and features Auana, modern hula. This group competition allows the hula school (hālau) to use traditional, borrowed or newly created implements to add a “contemporary” flavor to hula. This event encourages the ingenuity and creativeness of our kumu hula. Categories include Kaikamahine, Keikikane, Wahine, Kane, Kupuna and Hui/`Ohana.
• The Hula Competition Solo ʻAuana + Finale, will be on Saturday, September 30th, 12 Noon, at Kauaʻi War Memorial Convention Hall
The finale cannot be missed. First, solo competition enchants the audience. Then, all the competing hālau and audience wait breathlessly to see the winners announced by the judges. This year, special solo awards are offered by Hawaiʻi Community Foundation.
About the Mokihana Pass
The Mokihana Pass was created for those who desire to support the Kauai Mokihana Festival and allows any person to utilize the pass at events listed. If you are unable to make one or more events, you are welcomed to pass on your MP to someone else. The Mokihana Pass is available for sale at $75 per pass. Purchase in advance. The Mokihana Pass is good for admission to all events.
