2024 Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival, Aug. 17

The 2024 Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival takes place on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center. The event features free keiki activities, workshops, Hawaiʻi made artisans and hula accompanied by Hawaiian music.

“We are excited to bring hula to Central Maui for everyone to enjoy,” said coordinator Daryl Fujiwara. “Usually when we see our loved ones dance hula it’s on TV, at a competition, or at a fundraiser. This event allows you to see what they work so diligently week after week and year after year in their hālau hula for free thanks to the County of Maui and Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.” 

This year, the ʻOhana Farden will be paying tribute to the esteemed Lahaina Kumu Hula, Carolee “Aunty Doll” Aricayos of Ka Pa Hula O Maui. He legacy will be celebrated at 12:30 p.m. at centerstage.

Hālau Hula Performing: 

• Nāpili Kai Foundation, Kumu Hula Holoaumoku Ralar 
• Hālau Keola Aliʻi O Kekai and Kumu Hula Iola Balubar 
• Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka and Kumu Hula Nāpua Silva 
• Hālau Ke‘ala Kahinano O Pua and Kumu Joy Salvador
• Hālau O Ka Hanu Lehua and Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona
  

A free ʻUkulele Workshop taught by Jason Jerome of Lahaina Music will be held at 12:30 p.m. and a Hula Workshop at 2 p.m. with Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona. Times and locations for class can change at any time. Email will be mainly used for confirmation and updates. Reserve your workshop space by filling out the google form: https://forms.gle/cNZTERwzxRiFeBhW7

Kumu hula, “Aunty Emma” made it her mission to perpetuate hula and the Hawaiian culture so she created the Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival, which started in conjunction with Nā Mele O Maui, a choir contest among Maui County schools, grades K-12, and continues today. Emma Sharpe was one of the founders of Nā Mele and added on a hula festival in her name. It phased out in the early 90s. In the upcoming event, Emma Farden Sharpe is honored through a celebration of hula, ʻauana (new) and kahiko (old).

Special thanks is given to: the County of Maui Office of Economic Development, Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, Kilohana by CNHA, Lahaina Hawaiian Civic Club, Kathy Holoaumoku Ralar, Lahaina Hawaiian Civic Club, ‘Ohana Farden, Central Maui Hawaiian Civic Club, Lōkahi Pacific, Pacific Media Group – KPOA 93.5 FM and Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center

For more information about the festival is available at: facebook.com/efshf