It’s that time of year again, or already we might also say! The wonderful Kauai Mokihana Festival is here again and we can’t wait to go, and to share all the details with you here.
Running from September 23rd-29th this is a week long celebration of Hawaiian culture. You can find out more details, or buy tickets (and the Mokihana pass which is good for all events and transferable) by calling 652-4497 or visit the website by clicking here.
You can also buy tickets from: Vicky’s Fabrics, Scotty’s Music and Sound, and Kauai Music & Sound.
Kauai Mokihana Festival Full Schedule
Sunday, September 23rd, 10 am Mokihana Festival – Hawaiian Church Service
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.
Monday, September 24, 7 pm Mokihana Festival – Kauai Composers Concert & Contest
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. At Historic Waimea Theatre.
Tuesday, September 25, 9 am Mokihana Festival – Eō E Lili’u
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. At Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall.
Tuesday, September 25, 5:30 pm Mokihana Festival – Cultural Presentation, Her Moʻolelo Liliʻuokalani
Liliʻuokalani Trust Kīpuka Kauaʻi. Join us at the first of a 4-part Liliʻuokalani Workshop Series. Aunty Pualani will share stories of the last reigning Monarch of Hawaiʻi. Space is limited so RSVP is required. Contact Maka Herrod at (808) 651-1868.
Wednesday, September 26, 3:30 pm Mokihana Festival – Cultural Presentation, Wahi Pana O Wailuanuiahoʻano – Legendary Place Of Wailua, Kauaʻi
Join us as we take a beautiful afternoon tour up the Wailua River and get a deeper look and understanding of this sacred Wailuanuiahōʻano. Our moʻolelo sharing is given by our Cultural Specialist Kamealoha Forrest who touches on different historic sites and legends of the lush valley area all the way to the Fern Grotto Park. Here, we are given an opportunity to learn beyond what was fantasized about in Hollywood movies and focus more on our cultural connection to these specific areas, what functions they held, who did it serve, and why it is so important for us to keep hold of these ancient stories. The boat ride is provided by the Smith Motor Boat Services. This event is FREE. RSVP to reserve your seat on this boat ride as seating is limited. At Smith’s Tropical Paradise.
Thursday, September 27, 6 pm Mokihana Festival – Hula Competition Solo/Group Kahiko Nei
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. Please email Maka for more info kumuhulamaka@yahoo.com.
Friday, September 28, 10am Mokihana Festival – Nā Lei Puaʻole – Flowerless Lei Contest
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 even very special. Our hope is to continue the perpetuation of lei making utilizing the various style techniques as we celebrate Ka Makahiki o Nā Moʻolelo o Hawaiʻi Nei – Year of the Stories of Hawaiʻi 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. At Kauaʻi War Memorial Convention Hall. Contact Maile Baird, maileatkahunard@gmail.com
Friday, September 28, 6 pm Mokihana Festival – Hula Competition Group ‘Auana
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. At Kauai war Memorial Convention Hall.
Saturday, September 29, Noon, Mokihana Festival – Hula Competition Solo ‘Auana & Finale
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. At Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall.
