Kū Mai Ka Hula returns to MACC for 17th annual competition

Kū Mai Ka Hula (“Hula Appears”), Maui’s only adult hula competition, returns to the Castle Theater for its 17th annual event Saturday, Sept. 14.

Male and female dancers perform both kahiko (traditional) and ‘auana (modern) hula stylings. This year, participating hālau are from throughout Hawai‘i and the continental United States.

The competition starts at 1 p.m. and concludes with an award ceremony. Pre-show entertainment by Nāpili Kai Foundation will take place from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. in the Yokouchi Pavilion. Additionally, attendees can browse and shop displays of made-in-Hawai’i products from an array of crafters and artisans before and throughout the Saturday competition.

Tickets are $25, plus applicable fees. MACC members receive a 10% discount / Groups of 10 or more receive a 10% discount when purchased together. Kids 12-and-under are half-price. UHMC student rush tickets are $12. All sales are online only (except for Student Rush tickets).

Related events

The Kū Mai Ka Hula competition will be preceded with “The Uluwehi Project,” a film screening and discussion led by Lanihuli Kanahele, great-granddaughter of the late Edith Kanakaʻole, which takes place Thursday, Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m.

The related talk-story event in the McCoy Studio Theater focuses on the importance of environment and how the practice of hula reflects that.

The late Edith Kanakaʻole practiced environmental stewardship through the mele that she composed and the hula that she choreographed. This was a staple in her practice. This project will highlight the diversity within Hula and the ocean as it follows the song, “Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai.”

The project’s goal is to showcase the importance of our environment and how the practice of hula reflects that. Without a healthy ecosystem, there is no hula. Without the hula, there are no records.