Hula and Chant competition in Long Beach Aug. 30-Sept. 2

Southern California’s only Hula & Chant Competition is back at the Long Beach Terrace Theater this Labor Day weekend to celebrate and honor Hawaiian tradition and values at the 19th Annual E Hula Mau®. The celebration features three days of competition, with 13 halau (dance schools) from all over California and Nevada. In addition to the competition, E Hula Mau®provides the public free entry to the outside festivities, which includes arts and crafts, Hawaiian food, lectures, workshops, contests and entertainment.

The 19th annual competition is sponsored by Nà Mamo® (The Cherished Offspring), a nonprofit organization committed to preserving key Hawaiian values through social interaction and education.

Since 1995, E Hula Mau® has blended honored traditions with innovative ideas, creating a wonderful Hawaiian experience and feeling of ‘ohana (family) for event participants and spectators.

This year, approximately 600 dancers will be sharing their rendition of the hula (dance), mele (music) and oli (chant) as they compete throughout the weekend.

“E Hula Mau® is an event where people will have opportunity to learn and appreciate the understanding of Hawaiian traditions,” said E Hula Mau® chair Mel Napuunoa. “We want to give people the chance to experience the kinetic poetry of hula and chant right here in Southern California.”

Various cultural workshops will be held throughout the weekend in the Hawaiian Cultural Village in front of the Terrace Theater and at The Westin Hotel in Long Beach. This year’s workshops feature the art of lei making, Hawaiian educational lectures, a slack key workshop, hula workshops and many more. All are open on a first-come, first-served basis. Some fees may apply. (Click here for a full list of workshops: http://ehulamau.org/events.php)

E Hula Mau® will also have a number of creative artisans and crafters demonstrating their talents throughout the weekend, along with a myriad of options for food, outdoor entertainment and informational booth for Hawaiian community organizations– all open for the public to enjoy!

E HULA MAU® SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

HULA & CHANT COMPETITION: Ticket purchase required

 

Friday, August 30th

3:30PM – 9:30PM - Competition Opening Ceremonies: Hula Pakahi (Solo Performances) Solo Awards Presentation "Wahine Soloist to be Crowned Miss E Hula Mau"

Saturday, August 31st

10:00AM – 5:00PM- Competition Opening Ceremonies: Kahiko (Ancient) Group & Oli (Chant) Performances, Kahiko & Oli Awards Presentation

Sunday, September 1st

10:00AM – 5:30PM - Competition Opening Ceremony: 'Auana (Contemporary) Group Performances, 'Auana Awards Presentation

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

(SOME FEES MAY APPLY)

Friday, August 30th

12noon – 9PM - Hawaiian Arts & Crafts Fair and Food Court Hawaiian Cultural Village & Workshops (Some fees may apply)
9PM – 12AM - Hawaiian Entertainment at The Westin Long Beach Hotel Lobby

Saturday, August 31st

8AM – 10AM - Lei Making Workshop (Workshop fee applies)
8AM – 7:00PM - Island Food Court
9AM - 7:00PM - Hawaiian Arts & Crafts Fair Hawaiian Cultural Village & Workshops(Some fees may apply)
10AM - 12PM - Slack Key Workshop – Westin Long Beach Hotel Marina Room ($45.00 at the door)
10AM – 5:30PM - Outdoor Plaza Stage Entertainment
9PM - 12AM - Hawaiian Entertainment at The Westin Long Beach Hotel Lobby – Kanikapila Jam

Sunday, September 1st

8AM and at  12PM - Hawaiian Lecture - TBA
8AM – 7PM - Island Food Court
9AM - Hawaiian Arts & Crafts Fair Hawaiian Cultural Village & Workshops (Some fees may apply)
9AM – 10AM - Lei Contest
10AM – 5:30PM - Outdoor Plaza Stage Entertainment
12:30PM – 1PM - Lei Contest Award Presentation Plaza Outdoor Stage
9PM -12AM - Hawaiian Entertainment at The Westin Long Beach Hotel Lobby

Monday, September 2nd (Labor Day)

9AM - 12PM - Hula Kahiko Workshop - Kumu Maelia Carter ($25 cash fee at the door) at The Westin Long Beach Hotel

1PM - 4PM - Hula 'Auana Workshop - Loea Kawaikapuokalani Hewett ($25 cash fee at the door) at The Westin Long Beach Hotel

Competition tickets are $25 per day and can be purchased through the Long Beach Performing Arts Center and the E Hula Mau® website (www.ehulamau.org). The cultural village is free to attend and workshops may have an additional fee. To charge by phone, please call TicketMaster at (800) 745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com. The Box Office is located at 300 E. Ocean Boulevard, and is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturday from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

For more information about E Hula Mau®, please visit http://ehulamau.org/.