Hula Fest Honors Aunty Sally

A hula festival honoring Polynesian Cultural Center’s first hula instructor takes place Saturday when PCC hosts talented dancers from here and Japan in its Pacific Theater, showcasing the best of both auana and kahiko styles.

The 23rd annual Moanikeala Hula Festival will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., celebrating the life of Aunty Sally Moanikeala Wood Naluai of Kahaluu, the cultural park’s first Hawaiian teacher, who devoted nearly four decades to sharing her native culture and dance skills with students at PCC – before and after her 1980 retirement from the Laie attraction.

Naluai died in 2000, but many of her former students have danced on in their own halau.

Admission is $10 for adults, and $6 for children ages 5 to 15. For more information or for reservations, call 293-3333.