Information

INITIAL PRACTICES - START UP as of Sunday, July 6, 2025 

NEXT PRACTICE IS JANUARY 11TH

(CHRISTMAS BREAK)

Starting January 11th, practices at UH Manoa will be held EVERY SUNDAY from 11am-1:30pm

Past Practices:

July 6th / July 20th

August 3rd / August 17th / August 31st

September 14th / September 28th

October 12th / October 26th

November 9th / November 23rd

December 7th

*UH Manoa Athletic Department - Studio #3 

*Parking is usually FREE. 

*If there is a UH Function - Parking will cost $5 to $7 for entry! Please check website weekly! 

Immediate Tasks:  

• Fine tune basic rooted steps to establish continuity  

• Determine all Mele - Hula Kahiko / Hula Auana 

• Establish everyone involved by physicality 

• Establish Hoʻopaʻa  

• Establish Na Mea Hoʻokani 

Secondary Tasks:

• All Costumes - Walk Ins / Kahiko / Auana  

• 5 Day MM 2026 Schedule / Itinerary 

• Pre Ceremonies at Kumu Darrellʻs Gravesite 

• Post Celebration Event - In Hilo 

ONLINE ZOOM

For those unable to attend or live on neighboring islands or abroad. We will do our best to coordinate “live” zoom rehearsals and potential video recordings w/ strong policies and stipulations. TBA. 

This “live” zoom option will allow for those on the “fence” contemplating due to lack of availability should consider this option and confirm your participation based on this added benefit. 

NOTE: For any of the current men coming to practices - We will need HELP to form a small committee to coordinate a) A private YouTube. b) To oversee video recordings of portions of the rehearsals w/ authorization. c) To manage all video recordings into an archive of record keeping. d) To assist with ZOOM - wifi Connection Options & Tech Set Up.

ACCOMMODATIONS (All Participating Haumāna) 

*All confirmed attending haumana must handle and coordinate each of their own accommodations. 

This includes a) Airfare. b) Transportation. c) Hotel Stay. Eo Lei ʻIliahi Foundation nor its directives/affiliations shall be responsible for providing financial support in all areas of travel expenses and accommodations. We are ALL ON OUR OWN! 

*Kumu Chinky, Kumu Blaine and the Eo Lei Iliahi will NOT be responsible for this coordination as it applies to all accommodations. Everyone must find, secure, and pay for their own travel expenses and accommodations. WE WILL FIND AWAY TO WORK TOGETHER. 

*It has been highly recommended that all attending haumana MUST confirm your Hilo hotel stay or similar as soon as possible. Air B&B/Hotels/or alike, are difficult if this is not completed early enough. PLEASE ADVISE FOR ASSISTANCE. We can coordinate internally, as we also recommend that coordination efforts among groups of attending haumana be considered and coordinated to keep costs affordable for hotel / Air B&B stays, etc… 

NĀ MEA HOʻOKANI (All Participating Musicians) 

*All confirmed musicians will also be subjected to their own travel coordinations. The Former Men of Waimāpuna nor Eo Lei ʻIliahi Foundation shall be responsible for providing financial support in all areas of travel expenses and accommodations. 

*Rehearsals with musicians will be announced once we have confirmed the Hula Auana Mele. *There is also no fees involved in your professional services. 

*We are ALL REMINDED that we are in this for our late Kumu, Darrell Lupenui, 

who never charged hula dues to dance in the hālau under the Men of Waimāpuna. 

TRAVEL SCENARIO / UNOFFICIAL ITINERARY (drafted for consideration) 

Based on a (3 to 5) Day Scenario as a Maximum Commitment (between 4/6 to 4/12, 2026) 

April 6 Mon Arrivals all day 

April 7 Tue Arrivals in AM & StadIum Rehearsal - Afternoon hours TBA. 

April 8 Wed Preparations & Exhibition Night Performance 

April 9 Thu Post Gathering - Official Celebration Event TBA 

April 10 Fri Open / Departures 

April 11 Sat MM Hilo Parade Participation Under EO LEI ʻILIAHI TBA. 

April 12 Sun Departures 

COSTUMES: 

All participating (and OPTION to non-participating) haumāna must AGREE to purchase all costumes in association to this major performance in order to actually perform Wednesday night, April 8. A cost effective, common sense approach to costuming is to be allocated to achieve affordability for all. 

a) Halau Walk-In & Practice Apparel 

b) Hula Kahiko: Malo - 1 straight & clean design (no hoaka arches/puffs) 

c) Hula Auana: Black Dress Slacks / Dress Shirt (x1) w/ various color contrasts and identical to one unified motif artwork & design.

d) Adornments: TBA as they apply to Hula Kahiko & Hula Auana 

e) Commemorative: Other apparel/materials for consideration - TBA. 

COMMITTEES & GROUP COORDINATIONS

It is highly advised and recommended that we all work together to achieve a few coordinated committees and groups to better facilitate all of the needed and necessary travel logistics to allow everyone a fair opportunity to participate. EO LEI ILIAHI and its executive board, alone, cannot facilitate nor manage all of the necessary travel coordinations. It MUST be handled by ALL INVOLVED towards MM 2026. Includes: 

*Family Members attending in Supportive Roles. *Special Interests in Memory of our Late Kumu, Darrell Lupenui.  

*Significant Others w/ Coordination & Management Skills to Offer! *Partnerships w/ Private or Corporate Entities Affiliated w/ Individuals