Source: staradvertiser.com
“Kaula Lu‘au” is set to debut Feb. 27 at the Ko Olina Resort on Oʻahu.
More than $10 million in investment tied to “Kaula Lu‘au” and related contracts is poised to deliver hundreds of jobs and multi- million dollars in work to Ko Olina, injecting new momentum into a resort district that has long fought to draw visitors — and their spending — to Oʻahu’s West Side.
“Kaula Lu‘au,” opening Feb. 27 at Ocean’s Edge, is the first major project in a Hawaiian Council–Ko Olina partnership to build a culture driven entertainment district in West Oʻahu, and is creating 166 jobs. The Council’s second production, “Hawaiian Goddess: The Epic Tale of Hi‘iaka,” slated to open at Ko Olina in December, will add another 176 West Side positions. Together, the two shows are generating 342 jobs and anchoring a growing slate of locally rooted, high impact cultural investments.
“Kaula Lu‘au” features the familiar mix of Hawaiian hula, Tahitian otea, and Samoan fire knife dancing, but its economic model marks a shift in how visitor entertainment is produced and who benefits from it. Hawaiian Council CEO Kuhio Lewis said the production is Native Hawaiian led “from concept to casting to catering,” with local creatives, designers, and vendors driving every component.
“All aspects are driven by Native Hawaiians,” Lewis said. “The vision, the development, the creation, who’s being hired, what the story line is — every part of it is Native Hawaiian led. We built this venue, and it tells our stories in the way we want to tell them. An important part of this narrative is elevating the talent and capacity of our West Side community.”
The production is led by Native Hawaiian creatives Kipe Ebana, Mehana Hind, Moses Goods and Tiana Nonosina, with costume design by Native Hawaiian designers Manaola Yap and Kini Zamora. Backed by more than $5 million in construction funding — including financial and in kind support from Ko Olina — the project creates economic opportunities for Native Hawaiian and other local businesses.
“Kaula Lu‘au,” and Hi‘iaka are part of a larger partnership between the Hawaiian Council and Ko Olina and its partners — Aulani, Four Seasons and Marriott — that is developing a culture- centered resort that will welcome residents as well as providing entertainment and shopping opportunities for visitors. The plans include workforce development programs that will prepare local residents for careers in hospitality, the arts, and entertainment, and also creating opportunities for small local businesses and more then 40 cultural practitioners.
It’s a major step forward for Oʻahu’s West Side where growth has been uneven since the emergence of Kapolei as Oʻahu’s “Second City” many decades ago. While Ko Olina successfully established itself as a resort and master-planned community, many West Side neighborhoods continue to push for equitable investment, cultural protection, and access to the economic gains happening around them.
Michael Maika‘i Ahina is one of 37 former Paradise Cove employees hired for “Kaula Lu‘au.” He was in his 18th year dancing at Paradise Cove when the company announced it would shut down on New Year’s Eve. “We saw on social media they were having auditions,” he said. “More than half the cast is from Paradise Cove, so we already have that unity.”
Local businesses are also seeing direct gains. Moani, a Hawaiian-owned Kapolei restaurant, secured a one year, $3 million catering contract for “Kaula Lu‘au” and is hiring 15 to 20 additional staff. Owner Kapua Keolanui said most of the contract’s value will stay on the West Side through wages and local sourcing. “The majority of my family lives out here in Kapolei, and we’re really excited to have this opportunity,” she said. “Working through this build and development has allowed us to grow our catering arm and invest in what we need to take on larger contracts.”
Moani won’t offer a traditional luau buffet. Instead, Keolanui said the restaurant will serve “local favorites, local comfort food.” “Family style is our food and our brand, and we can present it as such, plated style, bigger than bites, more like a bowl size,” Keolanui said. “So instead of your traditional luau buffet, you can pick a poke bowl or the kalua pig tower — you could have one or two or three — and come back before the show starts if there’s something you like. I like being original at Moani, and we’re excited to share it with luau guests in that way.”
The Hawaiian Council and Ko Olina are also collaborating on creating an entertainment district within Ko Olina Marina that they say will serve as a “world class, culturally grounded” hub for jobs, small business.
Kaula Lu‘au
Ocean’s Edge in Ko Olina
Reservation Contact +1 (808) 897-2906
Visit: luaukaula.com