HONOLULU (HI Now) - Hawaiʻi’s next generation of hula is stepping into the spotlight from July 23 to 25. The 51st Annual Queen Liliʻuokalani Keiki Hula Competition and Festival returns to the Neal S. Blaisdell Center, welcoming keiki ages 6 to 12 from 15 invited hālau across Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island. This prestigious hula competition shares the traditions, values, and ʻike passed down through their kumu hula.
For many of these young dancers, the stage is a first. A moment of courage and connection where ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, mele, and movement come together in front of the community that raised them. Cody Pueo Pata, an ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi judge for this year’s competition, says this is the kind of event that hula lovers and anyone who cares about what makes Hawaiʻi special will want to experience. At this event you can feel the heartbeat of the culture in real time.
This competition carries a legacy born in 1976 during the Second Hawaiian Renaissance, honoring Queen Liliʻuokalani while cultivating generations of hula practitioners. Now stewarded by the Hawaiian Council, the member based nonprofit formerly known as the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, the festival continues as an investment in keiki and in the future leaders who will carry Hawaiʻi forward.
Make plans to attend one of the three showcases, Thursday night features the Miss and Master Keiki Hula solo competitions, Friday night is Group Hula Kahiko, and Saturday afternoon brings Group Hula Auana and awards
You can also plan a full week of culture since Keiki Hula follows the 2026 Native Hawaiian Convention, plus the Keiki Hula Market by Nā Mea Hawaiʻi runs all weekend. More than 90 vendors including 30 plus ʻōpio entrepreneurs will be there to share their local talent.
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If you cannot make it in person, tune in for a live broadcast on KFVE of The Queen Liliʻuokalani Keiki Hula Competition: Thursday at 6 p.m. for Miss and Master, Friday at 6 p.m. for Kahiko, and Saturday at 12 p.m. for ʻAuana.
To learn more, visit hawaiiancouncil.org/convention and follow @hawaiiancouncil on Instagram for updates.
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