Na Mamo to Host 19th Annual E Hula Mau at Long Beach Terrace Theater, 8/30-9/1

Southern California's only Hula & Chant Competition is back at the Long Beach Terrace Theater this Labor Day weekend to celebrate and honor Hawaiian tradition and values at the 19th Annual E Hula Mau. The celebration features three days of competition, with 13 halau (dance schools) from all over California and Nevada. In addition to the competition, E Hula Mau provides the public free entry to the outside festivities, which includes arts and crafts, Hawaiian food, lectures, workshops, contests and entertainment.

The 19th annual competition is sponsored by Nà Mamo (The Cherished Offspring), a nonprofit organization committed to preserving key Hawaiian values through social interaction and education.

Since 1995, E Hula Mau has blended honored traditions with innovative ideas, creating a wonderful Hawaiian experience and feeling of 'ohana (family) for event participants and spectators.

This year, approximately 600 dancers will be sharing their rendition of the hula (dance), mele (music) and oli (chant) as they compete throughout the weekend.

"E Hula Mau is an event where people will have opportunity to learn and appreciate the understanding of Hawaiian traditions," said E Hula Mauchair Mel Napuunoa. "We want to give people the chance to experience the kinetic poetry of hula and chant right here in Southern California."

Various cultural workshops will be held throughout the weekend in the Hawaiian Cultural Village in front of the Terrace Theater and at The Westin Hotel in Long Beach. This year's workshops feature the art of lei making, Hawaiian educational lectures, a slack key workshop, hula workshops and many more. All are open on a first-come, first-served basis. Some fees may apply. (Click here for a full list of workshops: http://ehulamau.org/events.php)

E Hula Mau will also have a number of creative artisans and crafters demonstrating their talents throughout the weekend, along with a myriad of options for food, outdoor entertainment and informational booth for Hawaiian community organizations- all open for the public to enjoy!