RULES & REGULATIONS
I. PURPOSE:
To promote and perpetuate the culture of Hawai‘i through song and dance; to honor our most treasured resource: Nā Kupuna (Senior Citizens)
II. ELIGIBILITY:
A. The event is open to any senior citizen or group. Each participant must be 55 years or older on the day of competition. Proof of birth date may be required at the Festival.
B. A Hula Instructor is mandatory. All performers and performances must be accompanied with a Hula Instructor. No one will be allowed to enter without a Hula Instructor.
C. A Hula Instructor is ineligible to participate as a performer. A Hula Instructor may chant to bring a group on stage.
D. Dancers must be physically able to withstand the pressures of competition, waiting, rehearsals, etc.
E. All participants MUST sign and complete the Waiver of Liability Form before they are accepted for participation.
III. REGISTRATION:
A. Registration period:
- Registration Entry Form (Part 1): January 12 to March 16, 2026.
- Registration Forms (Part 2): Deadline to submit is June 15, 2026.
- Only completed online Part 1 will be accepted.
B. Registration Entry Form (Part 1): Complete and submit for FESTIVAL ENTRY and song approval. Song will not be approved without a registration form and lyrics. Lyrics need to be in Hawaiian and English. Composers name needs to be provided (if available).
- Registration Entry Forms will be accepted starting January 12, 2026 @ 12:00PM (NOON). Registration will not be accepted any earlier.
- Part 2 Registration Forms will be sent out after Registration Entry Form and song(s) are approved.
- Songs are first come, first serve.List an alternative song as second choice in the event the song is already reserved.
- Festival entries are limited to the first 16 halaus (Competition only).
- Judges Information Forms will not be accepted after June 15, 2026.Any changes or additions to judges information will not be accepted after August 1, 2026
- All registrations (part 1 and part 2) must be TYPED and submitted online no handwritten registrations will be accepted.
C. Ka'i, Ho'i and Mele lyrics can be submitted as an attachment with the online registration or mailed, faxed or emailed using the following information:
Elderly Activities Division/ Elderly Recreation Services
Attention: Ni’Cole Sasaki-Simmons
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy. Bldg B
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Phone: (808) 323-4340 Fax:(808) 327-3666
Nicole.Sasaki-Simmons@hawaiicounty.gov
IV. NA MELE HULA (SONGS / DANCE) SELECTION:
A. Dance must be performed in ‘AUANA (modern) song must be in the Hawaiian language and relate to the theme:
He Lei Poina’ole Ko Hawai’i
(Cherished moment of Hawai’i woven into a lei)
B. For group performance, dance cannot be more than five (5) minutes in duration, including entrance and exit; Individual performance, five (5) minutes. Discretionary points will be deducted if time is exceeded. 1 point deducted from total score for every 3 seconds overtime. Ho‘olaule‘a performance, cannot exceed (5) minutes.
C. Starting time will begin from the first step into your hula ka‘i or performance or utter of words (singing or oli). Time ends when last step off the stage. For all divisions time will end when the last dancer steps off the stage.
D. The hula ka‘i and ho‘i (entry / exit portion) is judged. Songs used for the ka‘i and ho‘i should complement the hula performed. In choosing your ka’i and ho’i must be of Hawaiian language. Please be sure to submit your songs for ka‘i and ho‘i with your online registration. Duplications are allowed for ka‘i and ho‘i.
E. Duplication of songs will be allowed but not within the same division. You will be notified if your song is acceptable. A copy of the song lyrics (English and Hawaiian), composer’s name and division is required at the time the song is submitted. If you do not submit your lyrics at the time the song is submitted, it will not be sent in for approval. The Group submitting the selection first will have priority.
F. Medleys are acceptable.
G. Original compositions are acceptable, but songs chosen cannot be of an English song translated into Hawaiian. Songs chosen must be written in Hawaiian.
V. COMPETITION:
DIVISIONS:
A. Minimum performers per division:
- 01 - Tutu Wahine - One (01) female entry.
- 02 - Tutu Kane - One (01) male entry.
- 03 - Nā Wahine- Min. of four (04) female dancers.
- 04 - Nā Kāne - Min. of two (02) male dancers.
- 05 - Hūi Pu‘ia - Min. of two (02) female & one (01) male dancer.
B. Groups may enter as many divisions, but limited to one entry per division.
VI. ‘A’AHU (COSTUMES):
A. Choice of costumes will be the decision of each individual/group. However, costumes must be of Hawaiian motif and appropriate for the dance/song selected.
B. Dancers attire/costume should be in a similar fashion.
C. Leis (Adornments) must be of all natural materials. (Examples: seeds, shells, feathers, or fresh flowers are acceptable. Unacceptable are yarn, cloth, and artificial materials.)
D. Please list an alternative on judges’ information form (part 2 packet) in the event original adornments are not available)
VII. MELE (MUSIC):
A. All music to accompany dancers in competition must be live.Ho‘olaule‘a is not required to have live music.
B. There is a maximum of five (5) musicians/singers to provide live music. Musicians audio set up: 4 vocals, 2 ukuleles, and 1 stand up bass microphones. 4 plug-ins: 1 bass D.I. and 3 extra D.I. Due to restricted space for the musicians’ area, it is advised to keep your number within the maximum of five individuals.
C. No age limitations for musicians.
D. All musicians must sign/submit the “Waiver of Liability” form.
E. A special award will be presented by Iris Nalei Napaipai-Kunewa based on the cohesion of musicians and dancers.
VIII. JUDGING:
A. Judges for the event will consist of a panel of four (4) to six (6) people knowledgeable and experienced in the art of hula, and are appointed by the Festival Committee.
B. Judging will be based on the following factors:
- Presentation: How well the dancers connect with their movements and flow with their hula.
- Facial expressions: Are the dancers’ emotions well expressed. Do the dancers understand their dance and emote what the words express and describe.
- Precision: Execution of movement of feet and hands throughout dance. The accuracy of the group dancing together with precision.
- Interpretation of mele (song): This category is the expression of the song through hula. How well do the feet and hand gestures explain the mele and hula.
- Costume & Adornments:Uniformity, neatness, and authenticity (appropriate for dance performed – color, design, texture, and style closest to the costume worn during the period from which the hula is from or make references to. Do the lei/flowers compliment the hula.)
- Hula Ka‘i/Ho‘i: Are your entrance/exit well executed and do they complement your competition number.
C. Groups / Individuals should be prepared to enter back stage at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled performance on stage. Those groups/individuals NOT ready or present for their scheduled performance will be disqualified.
D. The judges’ decisions will be final. If clarification is needed on the score sheet(s), questions may be directed to the Festival Committee for follow-up with any specific judge.
E. SCORING: The total score from the panel of judges will be calculated to determine the order of winners. Copies of Judges score sheets will be mailed to each group and will pertain to your group only, NOT for all groups.
IX. AWARDS: *Due to many entries in some divisions the committee will decide each year on how many awards will be given in each division: example, 15 entries in Wahine Group will have 5 awards, 3 entries in the Kane group 2 awards, etc. Checks will be made payable to the specified individual stated on the submitted awardee form. Forms will be presented to the awardee during presentation of awards. NO AWARD WILL BE REMITTED UNTIL THE COMPLETED FORM(S) HAS BEEN RECEIVED BY THE ELDERLY RECREATION OFFICE. The award sponsor may have the right to request for the payee’s tax I.D. number or Social Security number in order for award check to be distributed.
