Moanalua Gardens Foundation Announces Virtual 44th Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival

Honolulu, Hawai‘i, The Prince Lot Hula Festival, Hawai’i’s largest non-competitive hula celebration, has two new presenting sponsors, announced Moanalua Gardens Foundation (MGF), the event’s founder.   Kamehameha Schools, along with co-sponsor Central Pacific Bank, will present E Huli Alo I Ka Ulu Lā. Ua Ao Ē, With the rising of the sun, a new day dawns, the 44th Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival. The two-hour virtual event will premiere on Thursday, October 28 from 7 to 9 pm on KHON2. Established by MGF in 1978, the festival honors Prince Lot Kapuāiwa, who helped reprise hula in Moanalua and reigned as Kamehameha V from 1863 to 1872.

“We are truly honored and excited to have two of our community’s most respected institutions join together to help continue MGF’s 44-year tradition of bringing the best of non-competitive hula to the people of Hawai’i and the world,” said Alika Jamile, Executive Director of Moanalua Gardens Foundation.

“The pandemic has taken a big toll on our fundraising efforts this year and this partnership will help make the 2021 virtual festival possible. We are deeply grateful to Kamehameha Schools and Central Pacific Bank for ensuring that this celebration of hula with aloha will be brought via television to our keiki, families and kūpuna in the safety of their homes.” Jamile stated.

“At Kamehameha Schools, we believe in the importance of celebrating our culture to inspire our keiki, help them learn from the wisdom passed down through generations and strengthen the foundation of their identity as Native Hawaiians. We are proud to serve as presenting sponsor and look forward to this year’s festival,” said Lauren Nahme, Kamehameha Schools Vice President of Strategy and Transformation. 

“Central Pacific Bank is proud to join Kamehameha Schools to support the Prince Lot Hula Festival, ensuring its continuance as a virtual event and platform to perpetuate the culture of Hawai’i,” said Paul K. Yonamine, Executive Chairman, Central Pacific Bank. “Hula is so highly respected and loved around the world in places like Japan, being able to share this broadcast beyond our Islands is also very meaningful.

Nine hālau hula will be featured in the telecast showing a mixture of kahiko and ‘auana dances. Each hālau will be filmed separately at various locations at the Queen Emma Summer Palace in compliance with State and County COVID-19 guidelines to ensure that all participants are protected. Veteran producer and former senior media producer for the Merrie Monarch Festival for 27 years, David Kalama of Kalama Productions will be producing the show.

The two-hour virtual festival will also be live streamed globally and rebroadcast on KHON2 and sister stations KHII and CW. It can also be viewed later on MGF’s YouTube channel, along with additional vignettes not included in the television program.

“On behalf of the KHON2 ‘Ohana, we are honored to be part of the 44th Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival. We believe it is so important to perpetuate the native Hawaiian culture and share with viewers on-air, and on-line, the beauty and art of hula. Especially during this time, we need to elevate and recognize the importance of our traditions and our history” said Kristina Lockwood, Vice President and General Manager of KHON2.

Other sponsors include the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, The Queen’s Health Systems, Hawaiian Airlines, Matson Navigation, Pasha Hawaii and Hawaiian Electric. Funders include the National Endowment for the Arts and the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. MGF is continuing to fundraise to pay for the festival and people can help by going to www.moanaluagardensfoundation.org/donate to make a donation.

The virtual program will include performances by MGF’s Malia Kau Award recipient Kumu Hula Lilinoe Lindsey and Ka Pā Nani o Lilinoe, and master chanter Manu Boyd, receiver of the Namakahelu Oli Award.

A non-profit organization founded in 1970, Moanalua Gardens Foundation (MGF) is committed to preserving and perpetuating the history, native culture and environment of Hawai’i through stewardship of Kamananui Valley and celebration of the Prince Lot Hula Festival. MGF relies on grants and donations to produce the festival. To make a donation or become a member please visit www.moanaluagardensfoundation.org/donate