Hali’a ka Nani: An Evening of Elegance

Celebrate the future with an elegant homage to the graceful beauty of the past.

Kumu Hula Keala Ching and Na Wai Puna o Kona (the water source of Kona to Puna), a group of elders with the vision to educate the children of Hawaii, will host this year’s Hali’a ka Nani: An Evening of Elegance. Featuring stylish holoku gowns, sumptuous food, music, dancing and warm aloha, the group invites you to step out in style on Sept. 11 at the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay.

A delight for the senses, with exotic fashions from a timeless era, seasoned performers and historical authenticity, the event is one of the highlights of West Hawaii’s cultural calendar.

Today’s holoku fashions still resemble the 1820s dresses first imagined by Hawaiian royalty who were enchanted by missionary styles. During the reign of King Kamehameha II, also known as Liholiho, Queen Dowager Kalakaua brought out stores of brocades, silks and chintz to engage missionary wives in helping to sew the latest Victorian-style gowns.

Holoku — a word meaning cloak or mantle — originally covered as much skin as possible, with long sleeves, high collars and yoked, loose-fitting floor-length skirts without a waistline: think Mother Hubbard. But not anymore. Modern Pacific women have transformed these mere garments into breathtaking works of art. They are a salient symbol of Hawaiian culture at a crossroads, illustrating how creative connections can grow between ethnic groups and across periods of time through artistic endeavors.

Amid the aromas of tuberose, pikake and ti leaf, musicians and hula dancers directed by Kumu Keala will dance, sing and make a feast for the eyes and ears while you feast on delicious food and stroll among the items offered at the silent auction.

Beside delighting guests with delicious edibles, cash-bar cocktails, fashion, hula and sophisticated fun, this year’s event will also raise funds through the auction to fund scholarships supporting students who plan to enter the Hawaiian studies program at Hawaii Community College — Palamanui.

Kumu Keala and the members of his foundation, Na Wai Iwi Ola (the ancient waters of life), feel strongly about the importance of giving back to the community.

“Hula is the language of our people,” he said. Taught by the right individual, hula helps students “to appreciate who they are, where they can help and how life is all about solutions.”

As performance, sacred prayer and ancestral storytelling, hula brings the stories of Hawaii’s past to life while pointing to a future where young and old alike are helping build bridges that lead to a more aloha-filled world.

For example, senior student Brendon Nakata of Kalaoa, who attends Ke Kula ‘O ‘Ehunuikaimalino, is sharing his senior project at the event. By presenting on the historical relationships that led to and resulted from the holoku, he will help guests understand the impact of Western contact on the Hawaiian experience, as well as how Hawaiian lifestyles have affected others.

In addition, the kupuna (elders) will be wearing new apparel fashioned out of Na Wai Iwi Ola signature fabric. At past galas, they’ve worn vintage attire such as a black dress worn by someone’s grandmother at Queen Liliuokalani’s funeral. No one is quite sure yet what will come out of the grandmothers’ closets this year, according to Roberta Smith (whose Hawaiian name is Kapalili). While the dresses are astonishing, their mission is even more vital.

“Hula is a way of life,” she said. Once drawn to the beauty, grace and culture of hula, she found so much more — “language, ukulele, protocol and discipline.”

The dedication required by the dancers, musicians and foundation members is considerable. There are times when they eat, drink and sleep hula, immersed in an aspect of ancient Hawaii that was veiled for many years.

“I am happy we are able to bring something that was once a large part of Kona’s history back to our present Kona,” said Kumu Keala. “I have been blessed with k’puna willing to bridge the gap, and youth willing to be a part of our kupunas’ most precious lives.”

Kupuna encourage women to wear their favorite holoku, holomu or muumuu to the festive Friday night event. They invite men to dress for aloha and enjoy the magic and history of dazzling coral pinks, sensuous purples and the especially lovely promenade of women and children that will culminate the event.

Hali’a Ka Nani will be held from 4 to 10 p.m. in the Kaleiopapa Convention Center at the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay on Sept. 11. From 4 to 6 p.m., there will be a silent auction and no-host cocktails. Dinner and entertainment follows until 10 p.m. Seating is reserved and tables of 10 are available. Entertainment 6-10 p.m. Reserved seating. Tables of 10 available. The group requests a $75 donation.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.nawaiiwiola.org/UpComingEvents.html.

For additional information, call 936-0607.

Contact writer Marya Mann at Marya.Mann@gmail.com