Prince Lot Hula Festival 2023
Text from Moanalua Gardens Foundation.
About
Since 1978 on the third weekend in July, the annual Prince Lot Hula Festival has brought together premier Hālau Hula (hula groups) from throughout the islands for a celebration of hula in a non-competitive setting. Along with craft and food vendors, and, cultural presentations, our Festival has become an exciting event allowing tens of thousands of island residents and visitors to experience the beauty and spirit of the Hawaiian culture.
E Ola Ka Hula - Hula is Life.
Lota Kapuāiwa
Known as the last great traditional chief, Lota Kapuāiwa ruled Hawai’i as Kamehameha V from 1863 to 1872. A respected and revered monarch, Lot was driven by his love for his people. He was groomed at an early are to rule, attending the chiefʻs school with other ali’i children where they were trained in leadership.
His travels abroad on Matters of State helped prepare him for his future role as King. At the age of 22, Lot began his government career serving on the Privy Council of State, House of Nobles, Minister of the Interior and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Lot and his younger brother Alexander Liholiho, were very close and shared a strong bond. Upon the death of Liholiho, Lot ascended the throne of Hawai’i in 1863.
During his reign he established a new constitution and inspired a cultural renaissance, including the revival of hula and chant, and the healing arts. His admiration for his grandfather, Kamehameha the First, and his leadership, was memorialized in 1865 when Lot founded the Royal Order of Kamehameha, which participates yearly in the Prince Lot Hula Festival. As a young prince, Lot often visited his Moanalua home and summoned hula dancers to perform for guests, a tradition he would continue as King, despite prohibitions against Hula. Today, Lotʻs legacy of hula lives on in the Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival presented by Moanalua Gardens Foundation, honoring an ali’i who defied criticism to keep our Hawaiian culture alive! E ola mō’ī ali’i Lota Kapuāiwa.