Molokai Ka Hula Piko facts for kids
Molokai Ka Hula Piko is a special yearly festival that celebrates the hula dance. It takes place over three days each spring in a place called Kaana on the island of Molokai. The name Ka Hula Piko comes from the Hawaiian language and means "the center of the hula dance."
Contents
The Story of the Festival
How it Started
The very first Molokai Ka Hula Piko festival happened in 1991. It was started by the Molokai Visitors Association and a special hula teacher named John Kaimikaua. Today, a group called Halau Hula o Kukunaokala helps organize this wonderful event.
Why Kaana is Special
The festival is always held in Kaana for a very important reason. According to old Hawaiian stories, the goddess of hula, Laka, first created the hula dance there. She started it at a sacred hill called Pu'u Nana in Kaana. After that, she shared this beautiful dance with all the other islands.
A Short Break
The festival took a break in 2020. However, it has since returned to celebrate hula.
What Happens at the Festival
The Molokai Ka Hula Piko festival starts early in the morning with a special ceremony. This ceremony takes place at Puʻu Nana, the sacred hill where hula is said to have begun.
After the ceremony, the festival continues with a big celebration called a ho'olaule'a. There are also talks and other fun activities. These events are all about teaching people and sharing how important hula is as an art form. It helps everyone learn more about its history and meaning.
See also
