rolncathy

Our family will be in Hawaii in August. I want to be able to check out some of the free "student" hula shows often put on at local hotels/restaurants/lounges. We have been to a few, but none in Kona. We will have a large group of family so I am trying to get a list together early, to share with everyone in our group. Our ages range from 8 to 67, so we need family friendly venues.

charnees

Go to Konaweb.com for local calendars.

Once a month (I think the 4th Sunday) there is a public concert and dancing on the lawn behind Hulihee Palace in town at 4 pm. You need to bring your own chairs or beach towels and get there early. Look it up on the Hulihee Palace website.

For the past few years there have been free shows in the courtyard at Keauhou shopping center on Friday about 6 pm. I haven't been there this year so I don't know if they still do it.

There are free shows at the Kings' Shops at Waikoloa on Friday evenings, and maybe thursday, too. Look up Kings Shops on the internet.

By the way, the "student" groups are called halaus. They are very warm, welcoming social groups who make a huge comittment to the dance, music, culture, and history of Hawaii.

Kailani

I agree with charnees' recommendations. I recently attended the free concerts at Hulihee Palace, and was so moved by the performances. At the end, the hula dancers (and the keiki little ones are so adorable) pass out their beautifully handmade leis to people in the audience. The first time I went the lei was so spectacular that I'm glad I looked so longingly at it that the dancer put it around my neck.

The concerts are also the same time as the Kona stroll, where Alii Drive is blocked off and there are craft vendors. I thought the prices were pretty good, and the items a little different. I bought a darling baby onesie out of the softest cotton for $6 that said Aloha on the front, and Mahalo on the back. http://www.gohawaii.com/event?id=14135

The King's Shops now have the Queen's Shops, and I agree that the quality is excellent for hula halaus. http://waikoloabeachresort.com/big-i...ivities-events

The keiki (children) are so adorable, and it is the true spirit of aloha to see the commitment from families which have been involved for generations. I've seen all the recent shows and they are excellent.

I often stop by after a day of sightseeing before dinner. John Keawe, on Tuesday evenings is excellent, as are the Kupuka'as on Saturday.

Another great free event is the Full Moon Talk Story at the Mauna Lani, (Twilight at Kalahuipua'a) which is on the Saturday evening nearest to the full moon, and is held at an old cottage on the ocean. http://www.konafriends.com/maunalani-talkstory.html

The Mauna Lani is a favorite place of mine for exploring the ancient fish ponds. There is often hula and music near the lobby around cocktail time (6?). The Shops at Mauna Lani has a free hula show http://www.shopsatmaunalani.com/events.html

A couple of websites I use for free events are http://bigislandonthecheap.com/ and http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/ca...biaug_2010.htm
The last link will take you to events for August 2010.

If you feel like taking a trip up the coast, the Bamboo restaurant in Hawi has entertainment on the weekends, usually, and there are often large family groups. http://www.bamboorestaurant.info/Bamboo_Home.html

If you are there on a night when John Keawe is playing, his wife Hope will hula dance, and invite anyone in the restaurant for a dance lesson. It's a highlight for many.

In verifying some info, I came across this link from konaweb, which has more detailed music info. http://www.konaweb.com/musicians/events.shtml

Things change on the island a lot, so check the calendars once the time is closer.

charnees

Also check out the Sheraton Keauhou Hotel and the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Hotel. I just found out there are beginner hula lessons on the lawn at the Outrigger http://www.nawaiiwiola.org/CLASSES.html I am interested in that because I have been taking hula for year (some would say that means I am a beginner!)

rolncathy

Thanks to all of you who responded. Lots of good ideas and places to check for more information. Thanks, too, for giving me the correct terminology. We love the big island, but for many in our group this will be their first trip there.