Ka ʻAha Hula O Hālauaola
With the continued interest and rapid growth of hula rising around the globe, Ka ‘Aha Hula ‘O Hālauaola was born of a common desire to provide a nexus for masters, practitioners and enthusiasts of hula knowledge and Hawaiian culture to share their thoughts and understanding of this sacred Hawaiian art form. Founders and master kumu hula, Pualani Kanaka‘ole Kanahele, Leinā‘ala Kalama Heine and Hōkūlani Holt felt it was necessary to create unique and meaningful learning experiences and opportunities for participants from the world over, to reconnect to the primal sources of inspiration that emanate from Hawai‘i – the origin and birthplace of hula itself. It was their shared vision that made Ka ‘Aha Hula ‘O Hālauaola a reality.
Held once every four years, Ka ‘Aha Hula ‘O Hālauaola was first presented in 2001 in Hilo, Hawai‘i. The inaugural gathering featured 100 Kumu Hula and Cultural Practitioner presenter and 926 conference participants from around the world. The world conference on hula was again presented in 2005 in Kahului, Maui then most recently in 2009 at Kapālama, O‘ahu where a total of 1483 people participated. Ka ‘Aha Hula ‘O Hālauaola delegates came from the islands of Hawai‘i, 21 states from the US Continent, and 11 countries including Japan, Mexico, Canada, French Polynesia, Poland, Switzerland and others.
Conference Info
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To provide an opportunity for kumu hula and practitioners to share knowledge and insight about Hawaiian culture through hula.
To provide a learning and enrichment platform for hula practitioners and cultural learners from Hawaiʻi and around the world.
To encourage the preservation of the ancient art forms of Hawaiʻi.
To educate practitioners about the need to protect and nurture our fragile environment in order to ensure continual access to the plants and resources that are necessary to maintain our culture.
To demonstrate our oral traditions, teachings and ways of transmitting knowledge through generations.
To promote and showcase HawaiʻI Island as a distinguished destination and repository of authentic Hawaiian culture, history and renowned traditions of primordial hula knowledge.
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LĀLĀKEA FOUNDATION is the host organization and fiscal sponsor for KAHOH 2018. Previous conference hosts include: Maliē Foundation (Kauaʻi), Lālakea Foundation (Oʻahu),), Kauahea Inc. (Maui Island), and Edith Kanaka‘ole Foundation (Hawai‘i Island).
Founders and Honorary Hosts are:
Master Kumu Hula Dr. Pualani Kanaka‘ole Kanahele – Kumu Hula (Retired), Hālau O Kekuhi of Hilo, Hawai‘i
Hōkūlani Holt-Padilla – Kumu Hula, Pā`ū O Hi‘iaka of Kahului, Maui
(In Memoriam) Leinā‘ala Kalama Heine – Kumu Hula, Nā Pualei O Likolehua of Kapālama, O‘ahu (1940-2015)
