For Immediate Release HALAU HULA OLANA WINS NINTH ANNUAL MOANIKEALA KEIKI ‘AUANA HULA COMPETITION AT POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER Top Three Finishers Also Qualify to Perform in “Horizons” Night Show this October as a Fund Raiser for Their Halau Laie, HI – August 29, 1999 – Halau Hula Olana, under the leadership of Kumu Hula Olana and Howard Ai of Aiea, yesterday (8/28) won the Ninth Annual Moanikeala Keiki ‘Auana Hula Competition at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Placing second was last year’s winner, Hula Halau ‘O Hokulani, led by Kumu Hula Hokulani and Larry DeRego of Mililani. Coming in third was Hu‘i Park Hula Studio and Kumu Hula Kepo‘omaikalani Park-Chun of Honolulu. In all, seven hula halau, six from Oahu and one from Kauai, displayed their talents before an estimated crowd of 1,500 at the Pacific Theater, site of the spectacular “Horizons” night show, the dazzling 80-minute extravaganza that showcases the music, dance and culture of Fiji, Hawaii, Maori New Zealand, Samoa, Tahiti and Tonga. Halau Hula Olana received a $1,000 first prize for winning the competition. Hula Halau ‘O Hokulani earned $600 and Hu‘i Park Hula Studio took home $400. In addition, the three hula halau also qualify to be performers for the Hawaii portion of “Horizons” at a mutually convenient date in October and can use the special appearance as a fund raiser. For each halau, the PCC will identify a designated day for their performance and provide them with 1,000 tickets to sell at the discounted rate of $7 apiece. For every ticket sold, the halau will keep a significant portion of the proceeds. Ticket holders will also receive admission to all daytime activities, including the cultural presentations at the seven island villages, the colorful and entertaining Canoe Pageant, the guided lagoon tour, and the IMAX™ Theater. By comparison, the regular kama‘aina rate, through December 31, 1999, is $15.95 for adults and $10.95 for children, which includes admission to all daytime activities and the night show. The Moanikeala Keiki ‘Auana Hula Competition is a tribute to two prominent Laie kumu hula, Sally Wood Nalua‘i and Sunday Mariteragi. Both have been instrumental to the teaching and popularity of hula in Laie. Nalua‘i was the PCC's first hula instructor when it opened in 1963 and continued until 1980. Her niece, Mariteragi, is credited with inspiring the start of the competition. At her aunt’s urging, Mariteragi—once a PCC dancer herself—began teaching keiki hula in 1981. Two years later, she was invited to hold lessons at the PCC. It proved to be a delight for visitors and eventually led to the annual competition. Founded in 1963, the PCC has entertained over 26 million visitors by preserving and portraying the spirit, culture, and people of Polynesia to the rest of the world. More importantly is the mission of the PCC, which supports the educational mission of Brigham Young University – Hawaii, and provides an extension of the classroom in a workplace setting. Since its establishment, the PCC has employed more than 36,000 BYU-Hawaii students and over $172 million of its revenues have been directed to the University.### For information on press releases or other public information, please contact: Amy Hennessey
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