Hula Arts Continue at Volcano Art Center

The Volcano Art Center’s Hula Arts at Kīlauea will continue in July, with all events held at the VAC’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. The Hula Arts Program includes our popular monthly Hula Kahiko performances and Nā Mea Hula demonstrations, weekly Aloha Friday hands-on demonstrations and the new Hula Voices series.

Kumu Hula Manailani Kalua will be the featured guest for Hula Voices at the Volcano Art Center on July 5. Courtesy photo

On July 5th, Hula Voices will present the second in a series of interviews with Kumu Hula Manaiakalani Kalua. Each month, Hula Voices presents an engaging, intimate “talk story” session with Hawai‘i Island’s hula practitioners, as they share their hula genealogy, traditions, protocols and experiences.  These free, educational offerings occur regularly on the first Thursday of each month, from 5 to 6 p.m.

Born and raised in Keaukaha, Kumu Manaialani Kalua graduated from Kamehameha School in 1996 and received a BA in Hawaiian Studies in 2002 from Ka Haka ʻUla ʻo Keʻelikolani at UH-Hilo. He has been an instructor at Hawaiʻi Community College in the Hawaiian Life Styles-program, since 2003. His hālau, Akaunu opened in 2012 and is closely tied to the traditions of UNUKUPUKUPU and Hālau O Kekuhi.

Aloha Friday programs also continue each week from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the VAC’s Niaulani Campus.  Friday, July 6th features special guest, multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award recipient Kainani Kahaunaele, sharing her passion for all things Hawaiian.  Kainani works primarily through Hawaiian language revitalization and music, and has released two solo CD recordings.  She is also a teacher of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, music, and haku mele (composing) at Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language and Literature at UH Hilo, a wife, and mother of 3 budding musicians.

Join VAC in celebrating the Hula Arts at Kīlauea. These programs are supported in part by a grant from the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, the County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development and individual funding from members of the Volcano Art Center’s ʻohana.

Volcano Art Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization created in 1974 whose mission is to promote, develop and perpetuate the artistic, cultural and environmental heritage of Hawai‘i’s people through the arts and education.  For more information visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.