Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 8, 1 August 2003 — Hapa Haole Hula Festival sheds light on bygone era [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hapa Haole Hula Festival sheds light on bygone era

By Manu Boyd In an age where Hawaiians are identifying more and more with | their indigenous roots and culture, 1 a splash of nostalgia is hitting V Honolulu, recalling a bygone era where V Hawaiian themes and English lyrics \ evolved into a genre of music known as 1 "hapa haole'" or "half foreign." And with those tunes like " Waikīkī ," "Sophisticated

Hula" and "Beyond the Reef" emerged a 1 1 distinct dance style and look where eello- \ phane skirts replaced lā'ī (tī leaf) and \ sarongs replaced pā'ū (traditional cloth \, skirts). T Sponsored by the Pa'i Foundation, a series 1 of Hapa Haole Celebration events — whieh planners hope will an annual event — began

with a preliminary hula and music eompetition July. August \ events include enter- \ tainment and educa- \ tional opportunities n that should be

enjoyable for all who appreciate the history and evolution of \ island music and l\ dance, or per- \\ haps, for those who just crave īl "eye and ear ^ candy." It'll be fun, for sure.

On Tues., Aug. 5, Bishop

Museum's DeSoto Brown will present a slide leeture titled "Hapa Haole HoIIywood. Hula! Hawai'i's Fantasy lmage in Ad.vertising."" The Honolulu Academy of Arts Doris Duke Auditorium is the site for the 7:30 p.m. program. Fee is $5. The following evening, finals for the hapa haole solo vocal and hula competition will be held at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Special guest performers include Nina Keali'awahamana and Mahi Beamer. Cocktails, dinner and show are $65 ($20 tax deductible). The celebration rounds off on Sat., Aug. 9 with historic hula and film presentation by Brown with clips from the Bishop Museum Archives illustrating colorful movie history from the 1920s through the 70s. 7:30 p.m. Honolulu Academy of Arts. $5. For additional information, eall 753 9773 or 754-2301. ■

Hanana Kūikawā

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