18th Annual Hawaiian Festival Marks Start of PCC's 45th Anniversary Celebration
La‘ie, HI – January 7, 2008 – It is fitting that the Polynesian Cultural Center will kick off its 45th anniversary and yearlong calendar of cultural events with the host culture of Hawai‘i and the 18th Annual Moanikeala Hula Festival on Saturday, January 19. The beautiful dance of Hawai‘i will be performed by hālau from across the island as they gather and hō‘ike at the PCC's Pacific Theater.
The tribute of song and dance to the host culture of Hawai‘i is held in honor of the late Aunty Sally Wood Nalua‘i. Aunty Sally was the PCC's first hula instructor when it opened in 1963 and continued until 1980, after which she was a consultant until she passed away in 2000.
"At the PCC, Aunty Sally will always be remembered and celebrated as a beloved kumu hula," said Ellen Gay Dela Rosa, senior manager of promotions and Aunty Sally's niece. "But her legacy lives on in Hawai‘i at this festival that brings together kupuna and keiki to share and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture."
Hula Hālau participating in the 2008 Moanikeala Hula Festival include:
- Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio – Joan Lindsey
- Ka Pa Nani ‘O Lilinoe – Lilinoe Lindsey
- Hālau Hula ‘O Hōkūlani – Hōkūlani DeRego
- Hālau Hula Olana – Howard & Olana A'i
- Hālau Hula ‘O Kekela – Kekela Miller
- Hu'i Park Hula Studio – Corianne Park Chun
- Hālau Kawaipuhilani – Keith Awai
- Hālau Hula ‘O Namakahulali – Shirley Recca
- Hālau Hula ‘O Hali‘alaulani – Ellen Gay Dela Rosa
- Nāpuananionāpalionāko‘olau – Sunday Mariteragi
- Halau Pohai Ke Aloha – Kealoha Kalama
- Ka Leo O Laka I Iapana/Ka Pa Hula O Kaʻieʻie (Aichi, Japan) – Kasugai
- Hui Ho‘oulu Aloha Alumni (original PCC hālau hula)
The festival will begin at 10 a.m. and admission is $8 per person. Kama‘āina Annual Passholders are welcome to the festival for free.
Founded in 1963 as a non-profit organization, the PCC has entertained more than 33 million visitors, while preserving and portraying the culture, arts, and crafts of Polynesia to the rest of the world. In addition, the PCC has provided financial assistance to nearly 17,000 young people from over 70 different countries while they attend Brigham Young University-Hawai‘i. As a non-profit organization, 100 percent of PCC's revenue is used for daily operations and to support education.
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Contact: Amy Hennessey or Maria Quidez at (808) 531-0244
