Annual ‘Hula Appears’ Competition Returns to The MACC

Hula Appears. Photo provided by The MACC.

By Maui Now Staff

Maui’s premier annual hula competition, Kū Mai Ka Hula (“Hula Appears”), will return to the Castle Theater at Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 10, 11 and 12, 2015, for its tenth consecutive year.

Winning hālau from Japan will join hālau from the islands and the Mainland to share their finest dances, vying for the top awards for best kūpuna, kāne or wahine group, or Mr. or Ms. Hula Maui.

New this year will be the creating of a professionally produced, feature-length, commemorative DVD featuring all of the performances, which can be purchased at or after the event.

In addition, a detailed, multipage commemorative program will be available for purchase, featuring in-depth information about the participating hālau as well as past event information, statistics, highlights and more.

‘Iliahi. Photo courtesy The MACC.

Kamaile. Photo courtesy The MACC.

‘Iliahi. Photo courtesy The MACC.

Kamaile. Photo courtesy The MACC.

Uluwehi. Photo courtesy The MACC.

Maka Herrod, 2013. Photo courtesy The MACC.

Image courtesy The MACC.

Kiani. Photo courtesy The MACC.

Bronson. Photo courtesy The MACC.

Bronson. Photo courtesy The MACC.

Kehaulani. Photo courtesy The MACC.

Kiani. Photo courtesy The MACC.

Puamohala. Photo courtesy The MACC.

Kanoe. Photo courtesy The MACC.

Keali‘i Reichel. Photo courtesy The MACC.

Ulalia Woodside. Photo courtesy The MACC.

Taoupouri Tangaro. Photo courtesy The MACC.

Competitors include hālau from Maui, O‘ahu, Japan and California: Hālau Hi‘iakaināmakalehua, Hālau Hula O Alohalani, Hālau I Ka Wēkiu, Hālau Ka Ua Tuahine, Hālau Ke‘ala, Kahinano O Puna, Hālau Halau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi, Hālau Mānaiakalani, Hālau Nāwaipunalei and Hālonaikeohokapalai will all vie for the prestigious Maui Nui, Leianaikaroselani O Maui, Palikūmaikalewalani and ‘Ōlelo Makuahine (newly added) perpetual awards.

Judges this year include prestigious members of the hula community: Keali‘i Reichel, kumu hula and one of Hawai‘i’s most popular singer/songwriters; Maka Herrod, kumu hula and executive director for the Mālie Foundation and Kaua‘i Mokihana Festival; Ulalia Woodside, kumu hula and board member of Kauahea Inc. and the Lālākea Foundation; and Taupōuri Tangarō, kumu hula and professor of Hawai‘i Life Styles at Hawai‘i Community College.

Hula Appears Schedule

Thursday, Sept. 10, 7:30 p.m., McCoy Studio Theater
“The Life and Music of John Kamealoha Almeida”
A talk-story and live performance for hula enthusiasts as a deeper exploration into the mind of Hawaiian song composer Johnny Almeida, who was blind since childhood, yet wrote beautiful songs about the beauty that surrounded him. Presented by Keola Donaghy of the Institute of Hawaiian music at UH Maui College.

Friday, Sept. 11, 6 p.m., Castle Theater
Solo Competition
Male and female dancers vie for the title of Mr. and Ms. Hula Maui in kahiko & ‘auana styles.
Preshow entertainment starts at 4:45 p.m., featuring Na Hanona O Pi’ilani

Saturday, Sept. 12, 1 p.m., Castle Theater
Group Competition & Awards Ceremony
Male and female dancers compete for first place in kahiko & ‘auana styles, as well as kūpuna, who compete in the ‘auana style. Preshow entertainment starts at 11:45 am, featuring Hālau o Ka Hanu Lehua.

Tickets
Thursday, Sept. 10: $15.
Friday, Sept. 11; Saturday, Sept. 12: $25 each day.
Combo Friday & Saturday ticket: $37.
Half-price keiki 12 and under. (Add applicable fees to all ticket prices.)

Purchase tickets at The MACC Box Office (808) 242-SHOW (7469) or online.

Kū Mai Ka Hula is presented by Maui Arts & Cultural Center and Kauahea Inc., with additional support from Tihati Productions, Hula Grill Kāʻanapali, Old Lahaina Lūau, Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center, Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, County of Maui, ArtWorks, National Endowment for the Arts and the Maui County Mayor’s Office of Economic Development.