On Wednesday, Maui county officials held a blessing in Wailuku before the construction of the first Hula center funded by the government of the State.
The installation of $ 53 million, including $ 11 million in federal funds, known as Hālau of “Art ōiwi, will serve as a permanent place for Hula and the associated arts.
According to a press release, Kumu Hula Kap-Onoʻai Molitau, director of Maui, blessing the County entrepreneurs F&H Construction, other project partners and the site, according to a press release.
“Where in all Hawaii do we have a place for Hula?” Or?” Kumu Hula Hōkūlani Holt, who heads the Hoa steering committee, asked during the ceremony. “Nowhere. What a shock it was. We have football fields, football fields, skating parks, pickleball, but where is Hula? Hula is the only cultural practice that continues throughout Hawaiian history without break. ”
Construction should start on April 28.
“The hālau of” art “will be a place where Hula, Mele and Hana Noʻeau are not only practiced but neat as living and evolving traditions,” said Mayor Richard Bissen. “This space will nourish our Keiki, increase our Kūpuna and inspire our Kumu, ensuring that knowledge is shared with intention and integrity and traditions are maintained alive for future generations.”
Located at the corner of the streets of Church and Vineyard, Hoa will have a height of two floors and approximately 47,000 square feet. In addition to being a space for the study, practice and celebration of the Hula, it will host interior and exterior events and gatherings, a shelter space, a resilience and recovery center and service lessons for the elderly in Kaunoa.
Bissen thanked the former mayor Michael Victorino, who was present, and the council of the county of Maui for the work they have done to define the project on his way. “We will do our best to get this on the finish line,” he said.
Bissen also highlighted Kumu who was the key to the design process, notably Holt, Molitau, Cody Pueo Pata, Hiʻilei Maxwell-Juan, ʻālika and Kehalani Guerrero, Mapuana Aʻarona, Kahulu Malu-Pearson, Sissy Lake-Farm.