Pete Bostwick, Moanalua Gardens Foundation
Young dancers perform at last year's Prince Lot Hula Festival.
The event is a popular venue for keiki dancers, who can perform
without the pressure of competition.

---

Just Relax
And Dance

The focus of the
Prince Lot fest is hula,
not competition

By Malia Rulon
Star-Bulletin

The Pua Ali'i 'Ilima halau has danced in the Prince Lot Hula Festival every year since the festival started in 1978.

"I enjoy going to that festival and performing outside in the gardens," said Kumu hula Vicky Holt Takamine, who has been working with her halau for the last few months to prepare for the festival this weekend.

But this year, the festival holds a special place in Takamine's heart since it'll mark the 20th anniversary for both the festival and for her halau.

The two-day festival -- Saturday and Sunday in Moanalua Gardens -- will feature some of Hawaii's top halau. To commemorate the 20th anniversary, kumu hula Robert Cazimero will lead the other kumu in a hula accompanied by 20 pahu (drums).

Takamine's halau will perform three meles that were composed in honor of Prince Lot and Moanalua. "Pahua" is about Prince Lot's pet parrot, "Ia Aloha Ia Kilauea" is about a ship called Kilauea and "Moanalua Au La" was composed for King Kamehameha I while he was camping in Moanalua after conquering Oahu in the battle of Nuuanu.

Sponsored by the Moanalua Gardens Foundation, the Prince Lot Hula Festival is the largest noncompetitive annual hula festival in Hawaii. It also features arts and crafts exhibits, Hawaiian games and a Hawaiian Quilt display in Chinese Hall.

Takamine said the noncompetitive atmosphere of the Prince Lot Festival is more relaxing than other festivals.

"In competition, there's a lot of pressure on being precise and getting your technique perfect," Takamine said. "The Prince Lot festival is a place I can take my keiki because you can make mistakes and it's OK. It really is an enjoyable place to perform."

The festivals also allows the dancers to perform outside in the gardens.

"Being outdoors, you are exposed to the elements. If the sun is out, you feel the heat; if it rains, you dance in the rain," Takamine said. "It's very different from competing in Blaisdell (Arena) or in a hotel."

---

The order of the dance

Halau performing at the Prince Lot Hula Festival,
in order of appearance, with their kumu hula:

SATURDAY

Opening ceremony: Robert Cazimero leads a 20th-annivesary tribute

Halau Na Kamalei, Robert Cazimero

Halau Hula O Maiki (Oahu), Coline Aiu Ferranti

Ka 'Imi Na'auao O Hawai'i Nei (Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Samoa), Roselle F. Keliihonipua Bailey

Halau Hula Na Pua Pikake (Big Island), Virginia Halemano Kalua

Halau Na Mamo O Ka'ala (Oahu), hula Tiare Noelani Chang

Halau Kealakapawa (Oahu), Michael Kailipunohu Canopin

Keali'ika'apunihonua Ke'ena A'o Hula (Oahu), Leimomi Ho

Hula Halau O Tuahine (Tahiti), Melveen Leed Vairaaroa

Na Hula O La'i Kealoha and Halau Hula O Lehua (Lanai), Elaine Kaopuiki and Lehua Matsuoka

Halau Hula O Ku'ulei Punua and Na Pua Lei O Emmalani (Kauai and Oahu), Ku'uleialoha Punua

Pupukahi I Ke Alo O Na Pua (Oahu), Michael Casupang

Na 'Opi'o O Ko'olau (Oahu), Michael and James dela Cruz

Halau Hula Olana (Oahu), Olana and Howard Ai

---

SUNDAY

Opening ceremony: Ka Pa Hula Hawai'i will perform.

Ka Pa Hula Ho'oheno Hawai'i, Keith Kalani Akana

Ka Pa Hula Hawai'i (Oahu), Kaha'i Topolinski

Pua Ali'i 'Ilima (Oahu), Vicky Holt Takamine

Lehua Dance Co. 'O Wai'anae (Oahu), Kaulana Kasparovitch

Kuhai Halau O Kawaikapuokalani Pa Olapa Kahiko (Oahu and Kauai), Kawaikapuokalani Hewett

Halau Hula O Mililani (Oahu), Mililani Allen

Pohai na Pua O Laka (Oahu), Jan Kahoku Yoneda, Leimomi Khan and Leinani Among

Ke Ali'i O K Malu (Oahu), Derek Kia'aina Nu'uhiwa

Na Hanona o ka Halau Hula Pa Ola Kapu (Oahu), John Keolamaka'ainana Lake

---

Prince Lot Hula Festival

When: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
Place: Moanalua Gardens.
Admission: Free.
Details: Entrance to the park is off the Puuloa Road/Tripler exit ramp of the Moanalua Freeway, westbound.
Call: 839-5334