Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 3, Number 9, 1 September 1986 — Na Mele O Maui Festival Focuses on Hawaiian Cultural Education [ARTICLE]

Na Mele O Maui Festival Focuses on Hawaiian Cultural Education

County of Maui high school students with an interest in continuing their Hawaiian cultural education are the beneficiaries of proceeds from the annual Na Mele O Maui Hawaiian dance and song festival held throughout the Kaanapali Beach Resort.

The 14th annual festival this year is scheduled for Nov. 7-9, a three-day celebration featuring a children's song contest for all Maui elementary schools, Hawaiian arts and crafts displays, a hula festival and a final night star-studded luau. Na Mele O Maui, incorporated in 1973, is a non-profit group whose sole purpose is to preserve and perpetuate the Hawaiian arts +hrough the ages. The standing committee of 14 is comprised of Maui entertainers, community leaders and representatives of the Kaanapali Resort who donate their time, talents and facilities to perpetuate the arts and cultural heritage of the islands.

This year's board includes Lori Sablas, Kaanapali Beach Operators Association whieh sponsors the event; Valerie Kong, Maui Marriott Resort; Emma Farden Sharpe, Manu Kahaialii, Kenneth Chan, Jane Caban, Ali'i Noa, Eleanor Sommerville, Bruce Curtis and Betsy Hinau. Dick Bacon, perennial chairman of the festival, said: "We are so pleased with the success of Na Mele O Maui. Children eome from all schools on the Island of

Maui from, as far away as the Kipahulu district of Hana. It is one of the biggest events of the year for the children and one of the most delightful of the festival." The song contest and Hawaiiana crafts displays are free to the public with a nominal fee charged for the hula festival and luau. The 1986 program highlights as released by Bacon follow.

Friday, Nov. 7, 9 a.m. — 12 noon— Children's Song Contest at Royal Lahaina Tennis Stadium. Over 800 children perform selected Hawaiian songs for cash prizes from kindergarten through eighth grade. Saturday, Nov. 8, lOa.m. — 2p.m, — Hawaiianarts and crafts displays at all Kaanapali hotels. Saturday, Nov. 8, 7:30p.m. — Emma FardenSharpe Hula Festival at Maui Hyatt Regency Hotel. Over 50 of Hawaii's top hula dancers pay tribute to Hawaii's living legend.

Sunday, Nov. 9, 1 p.m.— Hawaiian luau show at Maui Marriott Resort, featuring some of Hawaii's most entertaining performers. This year's lineup includes Karen Keawehawai'i, Frank Hewitt and Kuhai Halau O Kawaikapuokalani, Jaime Lawrence, Maile Kaaiakamanu, A1 Lagunero, Ali'i Noa and Olana A'i and Halau Hula Olana. Full details on the festival may be obtained by calling Maui telephone numbers 667-5191 (Georja Skinner)or 661-3271 (Lori Sablas).