Today, we marked the return of the reenvisioned Kodak Hula Show. We were in the audience for its debut at the Waikiki Shell Amphitheater, where the original show was held. The event has been on hiatus for 22 years and now returns as the Kilohana Hula Show. This new version of the original features dancers from award-winning hula schools across the islands.
Performances are free Sunday through Thursday at 9:30 am.
The location is the Amphitheater next to the Waikiki Shell in Kapiolani Park. Tickets and reservations are not required. Be prepared to sit outdoors for an hour in stadium seats with no back support. Both parking lots were packed today. Patrons are asked to walk or use public transportation. Bring water and sunscreen.
The Kodak Hula Show ran from 1937 to 2002 and has a long and rich history that dates back generations. Today’s performance included some dancers from the original show. The new version expects to have 18 dancers, four musicians, a chanter, and an emcee.
According to the organizers, “This new show features Merrie Monarch Festival dancers and is produced by the former entertainment stage director from the renowned Old Lahaina Lū‘au, bringing authentic Hawaiian hula and culture to Waikīkī for visitors and kama‘āina to experience.”
Kilohana Hula Show
Today’s Kilohana Hula Show was of “chicken skin” variety!
The Master of Ceremonies today and the voice of the Merrie Monarch Festival, Kimo Kahoano, has shared hula with audiences for over four decades. Among the most noted of great hula performers was Leimomi Ho. And the list of greats went on from there for the debut performance.
Brand new free Waikiki hula show now four times weekly and not to be missed.
Sponsored by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA), under agreement with The City and County of Honolulu, the event takes place at the Tom Moffat Waikiki Shell Amphitheater, set in nearby and easy to access Kapiolani Park.
Mayor Rick Blangiardi noted that the show is a continuation of the Kodak Hula Show’s legacy, “expresses his enthusiasm for the Kilohana Hula Show and its significance in revitalizing Hawaiian culture, fostering community pride, and revitalizing the Waikīkī Shell as a cultural landmark. He sees it as a continuation of the legacy the Kodak Hula Show established, “which left an indelible mark on the hearts of countless spectators.”
CNHA is also collaborating with Native Hawaiian plant specialist Rick Barboza on the “reforestation” of the Waikīkī Shell. This new initiative will reintroduce Native Hawaiian plants to the much-loved venue, enhancing its ecological value and contributing to sustainability efforts.
We suggest you put the Kilohana Hula Show on your list of things to do in Waikiki.
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The Kilohana hula show has been moved to the Kuhio Park mound while the bandshell is under-going some kind of repairs. Also, I think the days and times have changed. It’s worth checking on that before going to see what the latest info is.
OMG. I lived there in the early 70s and loved this. I would return just for this show. Fantastic news. WOuld only know it here on BOH!
Sure hope the hula show is a keeper. It will get us back to Honolulu every couple years.
Mahalo,
gr
Alooooha, well all I can say is ..it’s about damn time Kodak is Back! 👍😁👍❤️❤️
I lived behind the Shell in the early ’70s and would regularly walk to the park to watch it. Always great! So glad it is returning.
I remember it well from our early trips to Hawaii starting in 1994. If we were in Waikiki, we went to see the Kodak Hula Show. It was always a great performance.
This is exciting to hear. I first saw the Kodak Hula Show in about 1985 or 86. It was hot sitting in the sun. I’m happy that the new show is happening and sounds like it will be informative, especially for us visitors!