Molokai Ka Hula Piko

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Cultural & TraditionalKaunakakai

DatesDates TBA · Usually JuneCheck locally before booking

DurationAnnualEstimate from available data

Crowd-Public scale varies

Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsThe festival is tied to a specific and

LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD

CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type

The story

Molokai Ka Hula Piko in Kaunakakai

Molokai Ka Hula Piko is a Hawaiian hula festival founded in 1991, historically held over three days each spring at Ka'ana on Molokai, the place Hawaiian tradition names as hula's birthplace. Organized by Halau Hula o Kukunaokala in honor of the festival's founder, kumu hula John Ka'imikaua, the event went on hiatus in 2020, and no confirmation of its resumption since could be found during this research.

Hawaiian oral tradition places the birth of hula at a specific location: Pu'u Nana, a hill at Ka'ana on Molokai's rural west end, where the goddess Laka is said to have created the dance before it spread across the rest of the Hawaiian Islands.

Your trip starts here

What is special

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

The festival is tied to a specific and sacred piece of geography: Pu'u Nana, a hill at Ka'ana on Molokai's west end, which Hawaiian tradition credits as the birthplace of hula itself, created there by Laka, the deity regarded as hula's patron

The mystery stays covered

Rather than staging performances in a generic venue, the festival opens each year with a ceremony at that hill before moving into a broader ho'olaule'a of lectures and performances, treating the event as much as a pilgrimage and cultural preservation act as a public show

The city starts moving

Molokai itself carries a reputation within Hawaii as the island most resistant to large-scale tourism development, and a hula festival honoring the art form's mythological origin point fits that identity closely

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's central ritual is the early-morning ceremony at Pu'u Nana

Water and renewal

Living ritual

the hill Hawaiian tradition identifies as the birthplace of hula

The sacred route

Living ritual

performed before the broader public ho'olaule'a begins each day

The local code

Living ritual

Hālau hula from Molokai and beyond travel specifically to honor that origin point and the festival's founder

Tradition 5

Living ritual

kumu hula John Ka'imikaua

Tradition 6

Living ritual

who helped establish the event with the Molokai Visitors Association in 1991 and whose halau

Tradition 7

Living ritual

Halau Hula o Kukunaokala

Tradition 8

Living ritual

has continued to organize it since

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually June

Getting around

For Molokai Ka Hula Piko, plan transport around the exact Kaunakakai venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Historically a modest, respectful dress code suited to a ceremonial hula gathering held outdoors in Molokai's warm, breezy climate: light, comfortable clothing that covers shoulders and...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Molokai Ka Hula Piko, stay near the part of Kaunakakai you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map21.09 N, 157.02 W Open in Google Maps

Kaunakakai, HI

Nearest airportOGG — Kahului

TransportFor Molokai Ka Hula Piko, plan transport around the exact Kaunakakai venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

Stay areaFor Molokai Ka Hula Piko, stay near the part of Kaunakakai you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Kaunakakai via local transport.Search routes Find a place to stayStays near Kaunakakai, close enough for the event-day route.Browse stays Find flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for June.Compare fares Festival gearHistorically a modest, respectful dress code suited to a ceremonial hula gathering held outdoors in Molokai's warm, breezy climate: light, comfortable clothing that covers shoulders and knees out of respect for the ceremony at Pu'u Nana, along with a hat and comfortable shoes for standing or sitting on natural ground.Shop the kit Check visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rules Travel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Molokai Ka Hula Piko?

Molokai Ka Hula Piko is listed for June. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Molokai Ka Hula Piko take place?

The festival is listed in Kaunakakai, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Kaunakakai, HI

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLkahulapiko.com

Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →

SourceSource link available

Listed datesDates TBA · Usually June

Source statusOfficial source linked

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →

Molokai Ka Hula Piko

Molokai Ka Hula Piko in Kaunakakai

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

The mystery stays covered

The city starts moving

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Water and renewal

The sacred route

The local code

Tradition 5

Tradition 6

Tradition 7

Tradition 8

Essential information

When to go

Getting around

What to wear

Safety

Where to stay

Tickets/cost

Language/currency

Family friendly

Kaunakakai, HI

Your Trip Starts Here

Quick answers.

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

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