HOʻOHENO I KA HULA - CHERISH THE HULA
Honoring the life of ʻIolani Luahine
Hula Festival and Educational Challenge
Saturday, January 31, 2026
Mahalo nui loa to King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort
Hoʻoheno i ka Hula - Cherish the Hula is named by Lehua Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, student of Aunty ʻIolani Luahine.
He Lei Hiwa No ʻIolani Luahine Hula Scholarship Festival was established, in 2003, by Uncle George Naʻope and his students Kumu Hula ʻIwalani Kalima and Kumu Hula Pekelo Day organized the first event.
I was the Hawaiian Language judge at this first event and was honored to be apart of this ground breaking
journey to honor Aunty ʻIolani Luahine.
Now, 2024 Lehua Kawaikapuokalani Hewett changed to reflect Hoʻoheno i ka Hula - Cherish the Hula -
Honoring the life of ʻIolani Luahine Hula Festival and Educational Challenge scheduled for 2025.
Festival Schedule
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2026
HULA SHOW CASE
3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Hālau Hula o Manaʻolana o Kohala, Kumu Manaʻolana Keawe
Hālau Maunalei, Kumu Lehua Bray
Ka Pā Hula Nā Wai Iwi Ola, Kumu Keala Ching
Entry: FREE (donations are appreciated)
CONCERT
Hoʻoheno i ka Hula - Cherish the Hula
Honoring the life of ʻIolani Luahine Hula Festival and Educational Challenge
Hainoa - Weluwelu Bean, Russel Paio, Kumu Kealoha Reff
ALL EVENTS ARE AT THE FORMAL GARDENS
OF THE KING KAMEHAMEHA KONA BEACH RESORT
OPEN CASH BAR AVAILABLE
Festival Schedule
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2026
HULA WORKSHOPS
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Lehua Kawaikapuokalani Hewett - Hula ʻAuana
Kumu ʻIwalani Kalima - Hula Kahiko
Kumu Keala Ching - Papa Oli
Fee: $50 per person
TALK STORY
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Lecture on ʻIolani Luahine - Hula Then and Now
Presented by Lehua Kawaikapuokalani Hewett and Kumu ʻIwalani Kalima
Entry: FREE (donations are appreciated)
BREAK
12:00 noon - 12:30 p.m.
Lunch - Concession stand for purchase from King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort
WORKSHOP PRESENTATION
12:30 p.m - 1:00 p.m.
Workshop presentations
HULA PRESENTATION
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Presentations with several Hālau
Hālau Hula o Manaʻolana o Kohala, Kumu Manaʻolana Keawe
Hālau Hula o Kawaimaluhia, Kumu Keoni Kamuela
Hālau Hula E Hulali Mai I Ka LaKumu hula, Chrissy Kama Henriques
Hālau Presentation
3:00 p.m. Pule Hoʻokuʻu (closing prayer)
Entry: FREE (donations are appreciated)
CONCERT
Hoʻoheno i ka Hula - Cherish the Hula
Honoring the life of ʻIolani Luahine Hula Festival and Educational Challenge
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Hainoa - Weluwelu Bean, Russel Paio, Kumu Kealoha Reff
E Kolu Mea Nui - Kevin Kealoha, Sunny Lim & Kunia Galderia
ʻIolani Kamauʻu and Natalie Ai Kamauʻu
Concert Fee: $25 per person (Children 18 and under - Free)
ALL EVENTS ARE AT KAMAKAHONU BALLROOM
OF THE KING KAMEHAMEHA KONA BEACH RESORT
HAINOA
E KOLU MEA NUI
NATHALIE AI & IOLANI KAMAUʻU
About 'Iolani Luahine
'Iolani Luahine was born in 1915 in Nāpo'opo'o. 'Iolani Luahine was admired as a famed hula dancer that preserved the ancient dance traditions. She was trained by her aunt Keahi Luahine, and she taught and coached her niece Hoakalei Kamau'u. Aunty 'Iolani’s superb talents, attractiveness to audiences, and personal commitment kept the ancient dance art from being lost. Her career is testament to the adage that dances are passed down like myths, from one artist to another. 'Iolani Luahine is one of Hawai'i’s premier performers and cultural treasures.