JULY 26-27

ANNUAL KEIKI HULA FEST

Keiki hula is why the word "cute" was invented. Also perhaps the word ku'una, (tradition), implying a passing down of what the kupuna (the elders) know. The 10th annual Keiki Hula Festival at Lahaina Cannery Mall on Maui brings to mind both words ... and is just plain fun to watch, too. The dates this year are July 26 and 27, and hours for the free, two-day event are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., so you can drop by and watch the seven competing halau, maybe wander off and do a little shopping and dining, then return for more hula. Both styles — modern and ancient — will be performed. As well, a free concert by Na Hoku Award-winning slack-key artist Owana Salazar will be presented at 5 p.m. July 27. (808) 661-5304; www.lahainacannery.com.

AUG. 4-9

MAORI WORKSHOP

In Maori culture, a carving tool is more than a way to create a pendant for a necklace, or some other piece of wearable artwork; it is a taonga, or treasure, something that is surrounded with spiritual power and not to be handled or given lightly. At an upcoming workshop planned for Linekona, the Honolulu Academy of Arts teaching center, Maori artist Te Kaha will teach participants to make a toki, or chisel, and to use it, and he will surround two different workshops with cultural material that includes learning chant, story, prayer and song. The self-taught artist has worked around the world. Workshops are set for Aug. 4 through 9 with different subject matter. His Web site is www.tekahapounamu.com. Registration: 532-8741.

LATE NOVEMBER

SURIN ELEPHANT ROUNDUP

The town of Surin is approximately 280 miles northeast of Bangkok, about halfway between Nakorn Ratchasima (Khorat) and Ubon. The population of the town is close to 150,000, the majority being of Khmer and Lao ancestry. Surin can function as an access point for the Khmer temples of Phanom Rung Historical Park and Prasat Preah Vihear. But one of the most exciting annual events is the Surin Elephant Roundup, held every year, usually on the third weekend in November, although the elephants may start converging as early as September. The event starts with a parade of the elephants through the center of the town on Friday morning, with the official show on Saturday and Sunday. Then, the elephants and mahouts show their skills to both locals and tourists alike. The show culminates in a re-enactment of historic battles between the Thai, Lao and Khmer armies.