The 48th Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival is the Largest Non-Competitive Hula Event in Hawaiʻi—and It’s This Weekend
Here’s what you need to know about the 2-day event taking place in Honolulu, Oʻahu
Celebrating hula along with traditional Hawaiian arts, the 48th annual Prince Lot Hula Festival is taking place this weekend, July 19-20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Frank F. Fasi Civic Grounds in Honolulu, Oʻahu.
The festival was founded in 1978 to recognize Prince Lot Kapuāiwa, who ruled as Kamehameha V. He reigned as the 5th monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom from 1863 to 1872. He’s known for his commitment to revitalizing hula, chants and other traditional Hawaiian practices during a time when Hawaiian culture was threatened.
Presented by the Moanalua Gardens Foundation (MGF), the free festival has grown to become the largest non-competitive hula event in Hawaiʻi. According to organizers, the festival welcomes thousands of attendees every year, even up to 17,000 people in previous years.
The theme of the festival this year is mākaukau (ready). It is a call to the community to mālama (take care) and stand rooted in aloha and kuleana. The organization is working to not only preserve Hawaiian culture, but ensure it thrives.
Along with hula performances, there will be kid-friendly activities, workshops, cultural demonstrations and food vendors.
Photo: Courtesy of the Prince Lot Hula Festival
“Our mission at MGF Hawaiʻi is to mālamaʻāina and moʻomeheu—caring for the land andperpetuating Hawaiian culture,” Ian Kealiʻi Custino said in a news release. The executive director of the Moanalua Gardens Foundation added, “The Prince Lot Hula Festival is more than a celebration. It’s a cultural movement. Are you mākaukau?”
Along with hula performances, there will be kid-friendly activities, engaging workshops, cultural demonstrations and food vendors. The event is free and welcomes attendees of all ages.
For those that can’t attend the event in person, performances will be streamed live on the Prince Lot Hula Festival Facebook page
What You Need To Know:
When: Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Frank F. Fasi Civic Ground Park, 650 S. King St., Honolulu
Parking: Frank F. Fasi Civic Center Parking, 346 Alapaʻi St., Honolulu. Enter the structure from S. Beretania Street.
Admission: Free
For a schedule of events and list of participating hālau and vendors, visit princelothulafestival.org
