Ticket purchase is to compete in the Hapa Haole Hula Competition.  There is no charge for being a spectator.

Classic Hapa Haole Music Lives! Join us for a throw back to this early modern era of hula & music. In keeping with the hapa-haole tradition, all songs within each category must be sung in English and the theme of the performance must be about Hawai`i. The era of music must be from the 1900 to 1959 period when classic Hapa Haole music was at it's prime.   Prizes and recognition will be awarded to the winners. Winning soloists and groups will be showcased at the following day’s Ho`ike and Hawaiian Festival.

Judges and Emcee

JUDGE: Victoria Holt Takamine is the founder and kumu hula of Pua Ali`i `Ilima, founded in 1977. She has served as a judge at Merrie Monarch and is co-founder and Executive Director of PA`I Foundation on O`ahu which sponsors the annual Hapa Haole Hula Festival on O`ahu and Las Vegas.

JUDGE: Robert Cazimero is a Grammy nominated, Hoku award winning musician and composer.  With his brother, Roland, they are known as the Brothers Cazimero.  He is the kumu hula of Na Kamalei, a halau founded over thirty years ago. 

JUDGE: Manu Boyd is a `Uniki (right of passage) graduate of Robert Cazimero’s Halau Na Kamelei and is the kumu hula of Halau o ke A`ali`i ka Makani.   Manu is the leader, composer, vocal arranger and ukulele player for Ho`okena, a Grammy and Hoku nominated musical and singing group in Hawai`i.

JUDGE: Leialoha Amina is the Kumu hula of the Na Lei O Kaholoku along with her sister Nani Lim Yap.  She is a member of Na Hoku Hanohano award winning traditional Hawaiian musical group, The Lim Family of Kohala.  Ms. Amina is an avid researcher of Hawaiian history and culture.


EMCEE: Harry B. Soria, Jr. hosts the weekly radio program, “Territorial Airwaves”, focusing on vintage Hawaiian music from the pre-Statehood era of 1900-1959. The program is a beguiling musical stroll back to Territorial days, playing historical recordings and sharing anecdotes and trivia about Hawaii’s past.

Competition Rules

GENERAL RULES:

1. All songs must be Hapa Haole, i.e. written between 1900 – 1959, sung in the English language and the theme must be about Hawai’i.  
2. No song duplication will be allowed. Earliest post mark will determine priority.
3. Each contestant must have reached age requirement by the competition date.
4. TIME LIMIT: All entries subject to 7 minute time limit. The time starts when the dancer steps out on stage or the music/singing begins, whichever occurs first. Respectfully, the time will stop when the dancer leaves the stage or the music/singing stops, whichever is last.
5. All participants must provide their own musical accompaniment. (live music, cd recording or MP3 format).
6. There will be one winner in each category.
7. Competition will be held on Friday, July 26, 2013 at Esther Short Park.  Approximate time:  5:00 PM
8. Applications are due by the requested deadlines so that the programs can be created.
9. HHHC Committee reserves the right to cancel any category with less than three applicants.
10. All entry fees are non-refundable. Unless category is canceled in which fee will be returned.

HAPA HAOLE HULA - SOLO COMPETITION (Open to Women only)

1. Ms. Hapa Haole Hula - age requirement age 14 to 25
2. Ms. Sophisticated Hula - age requirement 26 and above
3. Contestant does not have to be affiliated or represented by a hula instructor or hula halau.
4. Contestant is required to submit song selection and lyrics along with their application.
5. Contestants are subject to the general rules of the HHHC Committee.

HAPA HAOLE SOLO - COMIC HULA COMPETITION

1. Contestant does not have to be affiliated or represented by a hula instructor or hula halau.
2. Contestant is required to submit song selection and lyrics along with their application.
3. Contestants are subject to the general rules of the HHHC Committee.

HAPA HAOLE HULA - GROUP COMPETITION

1. Each group entry must be represented by a Kumu Hula/Hula Instructor.
2. Each group entry is required to submit song selection and lyrics along with the application.
3. Contestants are subject to the general rules of the HHHC Committee.

Minimum and Maximum requirements:

• Kane division (Age 14 and above) - minimum 3 and maximum 20
• Kupuna division( Age 50 and above) – minimum 5 and maximum 20
• Wahine division (Age 14 and above) - minimum 5 and maximum 20
• Keiki division (Age 13 and under) - minimum 5 and maximum 20
• Combined division (Age 14 and above) - kane 2 and wahine 3 minimum, total maximum of  20 dancers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hapa Haole Music?
Hapa haole literally means half caucasian. It refers to the music and times of the 1920’s through 1959’s when Hawai`i was the star of movies by Bing and Bob, Arthur Godfrey and Charlie Chan. “Hawaii Calls” was on the radio.

One of the first documented hapa haole songs was “Eating Of The Poi” written by Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs way back in 1888. It was Hawaiian hapa haole, Albert “Sonny” Cunha’s songs “Waikiki Mermaid” composed in 1903, followed by his big hit “Honolulu Tom Boy” in 1905 which penned him as the “Father of Hapa Haole Music”.

In 1915, a troupe of Hawaiian entertainers went to the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco and, in the Territory of Hawaii pavilion, the main attraction proved to be a show of Hawaiian music and hula performed by The Royal Hawaiian Quartette, led by George E. K. Awai. The lap steel guitar was a huge hit and from 1915 to 1930, a large number of Hawaiian guitar methods and songs were published by major music publishers. Tin Pan Alley and Hollywood soon took over and rocketed hapa haole to the rest of the world.

Why Celebrate Hapa Haole?
There was a dark time in Hawaiian history when the Hawaiian language was not allowed to be spoken. Lyrics in Hawai`i were composed only in English and musicians adapted their talents to fit brilliantly. Today’s modern Hawaiiana revival often overlooks this vital segment of Hawai`i’s history. These songs and hulas were very much a part of the history, thus they are to be cherished as part of Hawaiian culture. While it is wonderful that the ancient traditions, olis and kahiko dances are honored, these songs too should never be forgotten.

Often asked why a Hawaiian activist like herself embraces Hapa Haole music and hula in addition to the traditional, Vicky Holt Takamine replied in an interview with The Honolulu Advertiser’s Wayne Harada, “Young people don’t know the (hapa haole) music — or know very little about it. I think because of the Hawaiian Renaissance, the movement to uphold kahiko, hapa haole has been neglected. My kumu hula, the late Auntie Maiki Aiu Lake, always said to support and know everything.”

What is Ke Kukui Foundation?
Ke Kukui Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations dedicated to the perpetuation, education and preservation in matters relating to the culture and environment of Hawai`i. Ke Kukui Foundation was established in Vancouver, Washington under the aegis of Kaleinani o ke Kukui, a halau with membership of approximately 80 individuals.

Where should I stay?
Ke Kukui Foundation has established special rates at Red Lion Hotel on the River, which is the site of the Hula and Craft Workshop.  Located two miles south of Esther Short Park, site of the Hapa Haole Hula Competition and Ho'ike.  Information on how to register with these special rates will be included on the confirmation page of your order and in the confirmation email.  Space is limited and special rates expire July 9th, so please reserve your room quickly.