Hawaii Girls Court will unveil a mural by participants tomorrow as part of the soft opening of the sixth annual GiRL FeST, which seeks to prevent violence against women through art and education.

The mural was completed by juvenile offenders who participate in a Family Court of the First Judicial Circuit program that provides programing for the young women to reduce female delinquency .

The mural, completed under the guidance of graffiti artist and mentor John "Prime" Hina, will be showcased at the art gallery opening reception at ING Direct Cafe at 1958 Kaläkaua Ave.

For more information about GiRL FeST, which starts Saturday and runs through Nov. 14, visit www.girlfesthawaii.org.

— Advertiser staff

ANCIENT ART

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SECRETS OF LUA

Under the cover of night, ancient Hawaiian warriors practiced the art of self-defense called lua. The lua master, or olohe lua, believed that this discipline would help them balance their spiritual and physical embodiments so that they could not only win a battle but also achieve daily harmony in their lives.

Because only those of royal bloodlines could learn the secrets of lua, it is slowly becoming a lost art. Today only a few people teach this ancient art of self-defense, which includes muscle toning, spiritual balance, chanting, dancing hula, breathing training and strategic games.

Mitchel Eli, a present-day olohe lua, points out that during the time of battle, aloha was put aside. Hawaiian chiefs led their men as a threat to their opponents. Lua warriors performed the warfare haka, a dance that showed their strength and fearlessness. The end of the haka signaled the start of a bloody battle with one objective, victory, which in all instances meant death.

For a video, visit http://www.sports.pacificnetwork.tv/xtreme and http://www.arts.pacificnetwork.tv/lifeisgood.

— PacificNetwork.tv