Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival

Start: Saturday, August 22, 2026 10:00AM
End: Saturday, August 22, 2026 5:00PM

Renowned kumu hula "Aunty Emma" made it her mission to perpetuate hula and Hawaiian culture. To support that vision, she created the Emma Farden Sharpe "Hula is the language of the heart, and therefore the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people." - David Kalakaua. "Hula is the language of the heart, and therefore the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people." - David Kalakaua. Hula Festival, which began in conjunction with Na Mele O Maui—a choir contest among Maui County schools, grades K–12, that continues to this day. Emma was one of the founders of Na Mele and later introduced the hula festival in her name. Although the festival phased out in the early ’90s, we honor the legacy of Emma Farden Sharpe through a celebration of hula ?auana and kahiko. The event features a day of free keiki activities, workshops, artisans, and a lifetime achievement award dedicated to a pillar of the hula community.