Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 9, Number 4, 1 April 1992 — Na Mele O Maui scheduled for April 3-4 [ARTICLE]

Na Mele O Maui scheduled for April 3-4

The 19th annual Na Mele O Maui, A Celebration of Hawaii's Musical Heritage, will take plaee April 3 and 4, throughout Kaanapali Beach Resort, Maui. Na Mele O Maui is dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of Hawaii's culture through the musical arts. Scholarship funds raised during the festival are awarded to qualified Maui county high school students who are continuing their education in Hawaiian culture. Sponsored by the members of the Kaanapali Beach Resort Association, Na Mele O Maui features the Keiki Song Competition, the Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival, and an arts and crafts fair. The Keiki Song Competition is Na Mele O Maui's signature event. More than 700 of Maui's school children participate, performing a prize song and a ehoiee song in the Hawaiian language. The competitors are scored on pronunciation of Hawaiian words, harmony, appearance, enthusiasm, and verve. Every class that enters receives awards such as cash prizes and Kamaka ukuleles. A koa perpetual trophy is awarded to the school with the most points. The Keiki Song Competition will take plaee from 9 a.m.-l p.m., Friday, April 3, at the Maui Marriott. This year's theme is Na Pua Mae'ole O Hawai'i, Never Fading Flowers of Hawai'i. Admission is open to the public and is free. The Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival on Saturday features hula halau from several islands. They will perform ancient and modern hula. An admission fee is charged and advance ticket purchase is recommended.

Saturday, April 4 will be a day filled with ancient and modern expressions of Hawaiian arts and crafts. From 9 a.m.-2 p.m. the Royal Lahaina Resort will host contemporary Hawaiian arts and crafts demonstrations. Traditional methods will be featured at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. These crafts are available for purchase at both hotels. Admission is free. In response to a survey of Maui county teachers taken last year, the event dates were

moved from the traditional autumn weekend to one in the spring. The Department of Education on Maui supported the change in dates so that Na Mele O Maui could become an integral part of students' curriculum, not an extracurricular activity. For more information, contact Skinner Communications, 180 Dickenson Street, Suite 219, Lahaina, Maui, Hawai'i 96761. Or eall 667-5191.