Tropical dancers give annual show

Ka Waikahe Hula School presents its 12th annual May hula show on May 14 at 6 p.m. at the Stillwater Christian School in Kalispell.

Adding excitement to the annual show this year is Hawaiian music with renowned hula master Blaine Kamalani Kia and his band from O'ahu Kekaniwai. Kia will also be chanting for the ancient hula dances featuring the aggressive "Aia La O Pele" about Hawaii's goddess of the volcano, Pele.

This year's show is titled Ku Ha'aheo or "To Cherish with Pride," with students presenting dances they have worked on all year.

Aloha 'Oe written by Hawaii's only Queen regent Liliuokalani will be danced by high school seniors Alena Fleming, Katie Green and Kelsi Swank.

Ka Waikahe Hula School is formerly known as Paradise Productions and has been sharing hula and the Hawaiian culture in the Flathead Valley since 1993.

Students range in age from 6 to adult and attend classes weekly in Kalispell and Whitefish. The hula is shared in traditional manner where students are required to learn the language and teachings behind every step and song.

This year's show will be the last for Massey of Whitefish. Massey and her family will be moving back to the islands at the end of the summer after a decade here in the valley. The school will continue to function under the direction of Kumu Hula Blaine Kamalani Kia, a respected hula and Hawaiian cultural expert.

Polynesian goods will be for sale at the Hula Hut and a silent auction fund-raiser for the nonprofit school will be open for bidding at 5 p.m. Refreshments will be available.

Tickets are on sale now from Herbergers, Books West, Montana Coffee Traders in downtown Whitefish, any hula student or at the door. General admission tickets are $15; children 5 and under are free.

Visit www.hulamontana.com or call 862-0829 for information.