Posted on: Wednesday, August 4, 2004

Maunalua, hula at city's free concert

Advertiser Staff

The second in a series of free Aloha Friday concerts featuring a Merrie Monarch and Na Hoku Hanohano Best Hawaiian Album of the Year winners will be held this Friday at the newly restored Mission Memorial Auditorium on the civic center grounds.

The concert, sponsored by the city and radio station 105 KINE, will start at 6 p.m. with a performance by Halau Hula Olana, followed at 7 p.m. by Maunalua. Musician Peter Apo will emcee.

Halau Hula Olana, under the direction of kumu hula Olana Ai and Howard Ai, placed fifth in the Wahine Kahiko and Wahine Auana competition. Halau Hula Olana member Kellilynn Kanoelani Cockett Smith was first runner-up in the Miss Aloha 2004 competition.

The keiki of Halau Hula Olana have won other competitions and performed internationally — most recently at the Shanghai International Children's Cultural Festival in China.

Maunalua, recipient of the 2004 Na Hoku Honohano Favorite Entertainers of the Year and Best Album of the Year awards, also won the Best Hawaiian album award in 2001 with its first release, "Maunalua."

Concert seating is limited to the first 350 guests. Doors open at 5 p.m. Parking is free at the civic center parking structure, with entrances off Alapai and Beretania streets. Call 523-4674.