KAHĀ Hula Festival

Celebrating the Next Generation of Hula

Festival Information

Date: June 26, 2027

Time: 1:30 PM to 9:00 PM

Location: Palace Station Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada

Hula is more than movement. It is a living expression of our history, language, identity, and connection to those who came before us. Through every mele, every gesture, and every story, we honor the ʻike passed down through generations and celebrate the young people who will carry these traditions into the future.

KAHĀ proudly presents the E Ola Loa I Ke Aloha Hula Festival, a celebration of our keiki and ʻōpio, the kumu who guide them, and the hālau that keep the traditions of hula alive.

Rooted in aloha, cultural learning, and the enduring beauty of Hawaiian storytelling, the festival brings together young hula practitioners to share their dedication, artistry, and love for hula.

More than a performance opportunity, this gathering celebrates the values of discipline, humility, respect, and kuleana that are nurtured through the study of hula.

We invite hālau and their ʻohana to join us in honoring the next generation of cultural practitioners.

Meet Our Judges

Kumu Kuʻualohanui Kauliʻa

Born in ʻEwa, Oʻahu, and raised on Hawaiian Homestead lands in Nānākuli, Kumu Hula D. Kuʻualohanui Kauliʻa has dedicated his life to perpetuating Hawaiian language, culture, and traditional hula. Raised among Hawaiian-speaking kūpuna and accomplished musicians, he developed a deep foundation in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, including the Niʻihau dialect. His hula journey began in 1980 under Loea Leialoha Lim Amina, followed by training with renowned kumu, including Darrell Lupenui, John Kaʻimikaua, and Kimo Alama-Keaulana, under whom he completed his ʻūniki in traditional hula disciplines. A respected educator and cultural practitioner, he served Kamehameha Schools and the Queen Liliʻuokalani Children’s Center for more than two decades, sharing his ʻike across Hawaiʻi, the continental United States, and Japan. In 2022, he ʻūniki-graduated six haumāna, ensuring the continuation of Loea Hula Joseph Ilalaole’s treasured lineage. His lifelong work reflects an enduring commitment to cultural preservation, intergenerational learning, and the living traditions of Hawaiʻi.

We are honored to welcome four respected practitioners who will bring their cultural knowledge, experience, and thoughtful guidance to the festival.

Kumu Leimomi Ho

Born in Hanapēpē, Kauaʻi, Kumu Hula Leimomi Ho, a distinguished KAHĀ honoree, has dedicated more than seven decades to preserving and perpetuating the art of hula. Mentored by revered kumu, including Vickie Iʻi Rodrigues, who hānai-raised her, she established Kealiʻikaʻapunihonua Keʻena Aʻo Hula in 1984 and later completed her ʻūniki under Loea Lani Kalama. Her remarkable legacy includes performances in Hawaiʻi’s celebrated hula productions and prestigious honors at competitions, including the Merrie Monarch Festival. As a respected kumu, judge, and cultural practitioner, she continues to inspire generations through her devotion to kūpuna, ʻohana, and the enduring traditions of Hawaiʻi. Her guiding belief remains: “If it’s in your heart and meant to be, hula will find you.”

Kumu Leialoha Lim Amina

Born and raised in Kohala, Hawaiʻi Island, Kumu Hula Leialoha Lim Amina is a revered cultural practitioner, researcher, musician, and educator dedicated to perpetuating the traditions of hula. Her distinguished lineage began with her mother, Mary Ann Lim, and continued under renowned kumu, including ʻIolani Luahine, George Nāope, Edith Kanakaʻole, and George Holokai. In 1981, she co-founded the internationally acclaimed Nā Lei O Kaholokū on Oʻahu with her mentor, Pilahi Paki, whose teachings inspired her lifelong mission to share the spirit of aloha through hula. A respected competition judge, composer, performer, and mentor to future kumu hula, Leialoha continues to preserve Hawaiian history, mele, and cultural knowledge while inspiring generations to embrace hula as a living expression of Hawaiʻi’s enduring heritage.

Kumu Pōhaikealoha Souza

Kumu Hula Pōhaikealoha Souza has devoted her life to preserving and sharing the traditions of hula, beginning her journey at just three years old. Her distinguished lineage includes renowned kumu George Holokai, Maiki Aiu Lake, and Mae Kamāmalu Klein, under whom she completed her ʻūniki in 1991. In 1996, she founded Hālau Hula Kamamolikolehua in Kakaʻako, Oʻahu, emphasizing cultural education and the perpetuation of traditional hula rather than competition. A respected educator and cultural practitioner, she established the first hula class at Sacred Hearts Academy and has shared her ʻike through workshops across Hawaiʻi, Japan, and the continental United States. Her lifelong dedication has earned prestigious recognition, including the 2020 E Pili Kākou i Hoʻokahi Lāhui honor and the 2023 Malia Kau Award at the Prince Lot Hula Festival, celebrating her enduring contributions to Hawaiian culture and the art of hula.

You are cordially 

Invited to

Participate

At KAHĀ, we believe the future of Hawaiian culture rests not only in preserving our traditions, but in creating meaningful opportunities for the next generation to learn, practice, and share them.

Every young dancer represents a continuation of this living legacy. Every kumu represents a commitment to its transmission. Every hālau strengthens the connection between past, present, and future.

Together, we celebrate the love of hula and the generations who will ensure it continues to flourish.

  • We welcome interested kumu hula and hālau with dancers between the ages of 6 and 17 to express their interest in participating.

    Keiki Division | Ages 6–11

    Celebrating our youngest dancers as they develop their foundation in hula, share their learning, and experience the joy of performing.

    ʻŌpio Division | Ages 12–17

    Honoring emerging young practitioners as they deepen their knowledge, strengthen their artistry, and embrace their responsibility to perpetuate the traditions entrusted to them.

    Participation is limited to a total of 20 performances. Additional competition guidelines, eligibility requirements, and registration details will be announced.

  • The safety and well-being of our keiki and ʻōpio are among KAHĀ's highest priorities.

    All participating dancers under the age of 18 must have a completed Parent/Guardian Consent, Media Authorization & Safeguarding Form signed by their parent or legal guardian before participating in the E Ola Loa I Ke Aloha Hula Festival. We will be providing these forms.

  • Parents and guardians may choose whether to authorize photography, video, or audio recordings of their child for KAHĀ's promotional and educational purposes. Declining media authorization will not affect a dancer's eligibility to participate.

  • Participating hālau must ensure that keiki and ʻōpio are accompanied and appropriately supervised by designated responsible adults throughout the festival. All participants and accompanying adults are expected to follow KAHĀ's youth safety and safeguarding guidelines.

  • KAHĀ invites Kumu Hula and their haumāna to celebrate the beauty, tradition, and enduring legacy of hula through our Keiki and ʻŌpio Hula Competition.

    • Registration Opens: November 15, 2026

    • Application Deadline: March 31, 2027

    • Registration Fee: $75 per accepted performance entry

    • Acceptance Notifications: By April 15, 2027

    • Payment Deadline: April 30, 2027

    All applications must be submitted by the participating Kumu Hula. Registration fees will be collected following confirmation of acceptance.

    • Review Eligibility: The competition welcomes Keiki (ages 6–11) and ʻŌpio (ages 12–17).

    • Complete the Registration Form: The participant's Kumu Hula must submit the official eligibility and registration form on behalf of their hālau.

    • Provide Kumu Hula Information: Include the Kumu's training background, lineage, years of study, and ʻūniki status, if applicable.

    • Submit by the Deadline: All applications must be received by the registration deadline. Please review our timeline.

    • Await Confirmation: KAHĀ will review submissions and notify applicants of their participation status. Space is limited to 20 performances.

    • Complete Required Consent Forms and Payment: Accepted participants must submit parent or legal guardian consent and media authorization documentation, sign all necessary documents and settle any outstanding fees before participating.

  • At the heart of the E Ola Loa I Ke Aloha Hula Festival is a celebration of dedication, cultural excellence, and the enduring legacy of hula. Outstanding performances in our Keiki and ʻŌpio divisions will be recognized with special awards and prizes honoring the artistry, discipline, and aloha demonstrated by our young dancers.

    Beyond competition, each recognition celebrates the commitment of our haumāna, the guidance of their Kumu Hula, and the traditions passed from one generation to the next.

    Additional details regarding award categories, prizes, and special recognitions will be announced soon.

Interested in Taking Part?

To be considered for participation in the E Ola Loa I Ke Aloha Hula Festival, please complete the form below. Only the Kumu Hula or designated primary instructor is required to submit this form on behalf of their hālau.

For questions or additional information, please contact aloha@kahahawaii.org.