May Day Celebration Concert Premieres

Press Release May 3, 2008 -
TO: All Media
FROM: Mālie Foundation
PO Box 13, Kapaa, HI 96746; PH: 808-822-2166
Media Contact: Carol Bain, 246-2111 bain@kauai.net

Na Lei Hiwahiwa Event Kicks Off
May Day Celebration Concert Premieres

LIHUE – A contemporary Hawaiian cultural event, Na Lei Hiwahiwa, celebrating the season's flowers and lei premiered Saturday May 3, at the Hilton Kaua'i Beach Resort. Five of Kaua`i's talented Kumu Hula were asked to interpret a song in their own special way.

Lady Ipo and Na Hoaloha band provided the musical backup for each performer as they danced hula to songs all composed for them by Nathan Kalama, who coordinated this event for the Mālie Foundation.

“A specific flower is often the inspiration for many of my Hawaiian songs,” Kalama said. “I will compose a song for a person that I care about and select a flower that has hidden meaning, or kaona, for both me and the song's receiver. This event invites the song's recipient to creatively interpret what the song, and flower or lei, means to them.”

Performances of compositions in chronological order included:

• “My Pua Kinekeni” performed by Kumu Hula Leina'ala Pavao “My Pua Kukunaokala” composed for and performed by S. Kamakaokalani Herrod with dancers  Iwalani and Na Kupuna O Kalamaolaimaluhialni
• “My Red Melia Lei” Kumu Hula Naomi Yokotake
• “Ka Pua Lehua O Pahoa” performed by Kumu Hula Puna Kalama Dawson
• “E Ku'u Lei Hala 'Ula'Ula” composed for and performed by Kumu Hula Kehaulani Kekua

Officially opening the event with conch shell blowing and traditional chant, 'oli was Ke Kula Ni'ihau O Kekaha led by Kumu Hula Lopaka Bukoski. Lady Ipo & Na Hoaaloha were headliners for the evening’s entertainment, and her jazz rendition of “Summertime” wowed the audience. The event was a fund raiser for the Mālie Scholarship Fund for youth education in the Hawaiian language and culture. The fragrant pikake was also honored by Nathan Kalama with a performance of his composition "He Aloha No Ka Pua Pikake".

In honor of the Mālie Foundation's 2008 theme, “Year of Our Kupuna”, six seniors were asked to represent the Mālie May Day court. Selected from the audience, Ken and Barbara Smith served as “King and Queen” for the evening and treated as royalty. Each received a lei presented by the Mayor of Kaua'I, the Honorable Bryan Baptiste.

Mālie Foundation intends to offer this event annually for the next four years. “We are always seeking new ways to introduce and promote the Hawaiian culture,” Kalama said. Sponsors of Na Lei Hiwahiwa May Day Celebration include: Hawai`i Tourism Authority, County of Kaua`i Office of Economic Development, and Kaua'i Hilton Beach Hotel.

The Mālie Foundation also coordinates ongoing Hawaiian cultural workshops and the annual Kauai Mokihana Festival. The dates for the 24th annual Kaua`i Mokihana Festival are September 21 through 28, 2008. For updates visit http://mokihana.kauai.net

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Photos contributed by: Mālie Foundation; Joe Olivas photographer <joe.olivas6@hawaiiantel.net>

Caption 1 - IMG 8316 "A student from Ke Kula Ni'ihau O Kehaha, Joseph Keoualani Kanahele, performs during the May 3 opening of Na Lei Hiwahiwa, a Hawaiian cultural concert and fund raiser for the Malie Scholarship Fund to promote Hawaiian language education." 

Caption 2 - 0250 "Kumu Hula Puna Kalama Dawson interprets the song "Ka Pua Lehue O Pahoa" composed by Nathan Kalama at Na Lei Hiwahiwa May Day Celebration held May 3 at the Hilton Kauai Beach Resort."