The Hula O Na Keiki competition fosters the next generation of dancers

• Hula O Na Keiki is Maui's only hula competition for children that seeks to perpetuate Hawaiian culture
• The competition pushes students to reflect on what it means to be Hawaiian and practice hula, an art that was once banned in Hawaii
• Hula teachers see a lot of hope in the next generation of hula dancers

MAUI — Clipped into hair and strung into leis, fresh plumerias fill the banquet hall with a sweet scent. Soon, the dim stage lights brighten and the audience quiets. A group of 10 or so kaikamahine, or girls, take the stage outfitted in ruffled off-the-shoulder tops with vintage-inspired bloomers that peek out from their pāʻū lāʻī, or skirt made of green ti leaves. The hula dancers get into position.