“Kila Kila O Moanalua”…Majestic is Moanalua

The 37th Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival

“Kila Kila O Moanalua…Majestic is Moanalua,” is the theme of the 37th Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival which will take place at spectacular Moanalua Gardens on Saturday, July 19, 2014, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m, announced Moanalua Gardens Foundation (MGF), the festival’s presenter. The largest non-competitive hula event in Hawai‘i, the festival is held each year to honor Pri nce Lot Kapuāiwa who reprised the once forbidden hula in the district of Moanalua. 

An historic and cultural treasure, Moanalua Gardens is one of the most beautiful places in Honolulu on the island of O`ahu. Once a botanical garden, it is home to famous structures and rare trees, including the famous “Hitachi” tree.

“Kila Kila O Moanalua” is a most fitting theme for next year’s festival because it talks about the grandeur of Moanalua which still amazes us today,” said Alika Jamile, MGF Executive Director and President. “The mele (song) was composed by Pililua after Samuel Mills Damon sank the first well in Moanalua and piped water to the gardens nourishing the ‘āina (land), our people, trees and flowers,” Jamile stated.Opening the 2014 festival will be noted Kumu Hula Robert Cazimero followed by an impressive line-up of premier hālau hula (hula groups) who will perform both kāhiko (ancient) and ‘auana (contemporary) hula.  Dancers will perform on one of the few remaining pā hula (hula mounds) in Hawai`i.Local food and refreshments will be available for purchase throughout the day. Limited edition tee shirts and a souvenir button will be on sale. Proceeds from these merchandise sales will help cover the costs of the festival.

There is no charge to attend the festival, however, a button donation to MGF is requested to raise funds to support the event.

The public, and visitors, are welcome and encouraged to bring their beach chairs and mats and enjoy the fun, food and festivities under the shady monkeypod trees of Moanalua Ga rdens.  No commercial photography is allowed.

Festival sponsors and supporters include the Hawaii Tourism Authority, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the City and County of Honolulu and the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, Kamehameha Schools, Capital One 360, Hawaiian Airlines, Servco and RM Towill Foundations, Pasha Hawai‘i, Matson Navigation, First Hawaiian Bank, Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau, O‘ahu Visitors Bureau, the Honolulu Star Advertiser, MidWeek, ‘Ōlelo Community Media and others.

Named in memory of King Kamehameha V, Prince Lot, the festival was founded in 1978 by MGF and now attracts up to 10,000 residents and visitors each year. Moanalua was a favorite recreation spot for Prince Lot, who is credited with reviving the hula in the district of Moanalua. His summer cottage can be found on the gardens’ grounds.

Participating hālau and a festival performance schedule will be announced at a later date. For more information about MGF, please visit MGF’s website at www.moanaluagardensfoundation.org  or call 808.839.5334.

A non-profit organization founded in 1970, Moanalua Gardens Foundation (MGF) is committed to preserving and perpetuating the native culture, environment, and people of Hawai’i through education, celebration and stewardship of Kamananui Valley and Moanalua Gardens.  MGF depends upon grants and donations to cover festival costs.  To make a donation or become a member please visit www.moanaluagardensfoundation.org .

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