'ALEMANAKA - CALENDAR

'Alemanaka Malaki

Thirty hula hālau will compete in this month's Merrie Monarch Festival. - Photo courtesy of KITV

HO'OMAU NĀ MEA HALA

Sun. to Thurs., March 13 to 16

Learn to weave the leaves of the hala the Hawaiian way and create everyday items of beauty. Featured teachers are cultural practitioners, who use the art to reinforce Hawaiian values. Fees. Kahumana Retreat Center, West O'ahu. 781-2488 or jolpac@hawaii.rr.com.

POETRY OUT LOUD—HAWAI'I 2008 FINAL
STATEWIDE COMPETITION

Sat., March 16, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

The best and the brightest young bards reflect plenty of themes unique to coming of age in Hawai'i in the 2008 final statewide competition. Finalists will go to the national poetry competition, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts. Free. Honolulu Theatre for Youth, Tenny Theatre. 839-9885 or htymail@htyweb.org.

HA'A KOA CONFERENCE

Wed., March 26, (Prince Kūhiō Day) 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Take up the traditional practices of the Hawaiian martial art of lua, including 'ai ha'a and ancient dances done with rousing mea kaua – war implements. Noted practitioners will demonstrate proud kāne warrior heritage and the virtues of strength, courage, loyalty and dignity. Free with limited seating. University of Hawai'i at Hilo, UCB conference room. 808-989-4844 or www.MamalaHoa.org.

MATERIAL CHOICES

Weekdays through March 30, business hours

This exhibition of plant and fiber textiles includes Polynesian lauhala mats by Esther Westmoreland and Wendy Hee, plus a diverse selection of bast and leaf fiber fabrics from the Asia-Pacific region. Features a lauhala demo and a March 9 screening of the film Ulana Lauhala, all about the challenges and beauty of textile weaving. Free. East-West Center Gallery. 944-7543 or
www.eastwestcenter.org.

MERRIE MONARCH FESTIVAL AND HULA COMPETITION

Thurs. to Sat., Apr. 3-9., telecast on KITV from 6 to about 11 p.m.

Your ringside seat to the Olympics of Hula is your TV because tickets for the 45th annual Merrie Monarch sold out long ago. Co-hosts Paula Akana and Kimo Kahoano offer colorful and cultural hula commentary on 30 stunning hālau. KITV presents the one-hour preview “Backstage at Merrie Monarch” at 7 p.m. April 1. www.kitv.com.