Aloha ‘Aina o Hawai‘i and Halau Hula Napuaokalei‘ilima will present the 21st annual Ho‘ike — hula exhibition show — offering authentic Hawaiian hula, culture and music. The show takes place Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Phillip England Center for the Performing Arts, located at 280 Camp Lincoln Road, in Camp Verde. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. and the two-hour show starts at 1 p.m.
The event begins with a cultural presentation by Hawaiian culture scholar B. Ka‘imiloa Chrisman, Ph.D., and Kehau Chrisman, demonstrating the instruments used in ancient hula — kahiko — and dances performed by her students. Chrisman is one of the recipients of the 2026 Living Treasures of Hawai‘i award honoring his contribution to reviving the lost art of ipu pawehe — decorated gourds — and preserving traditional Hawaiian craftsmanship. He is also the first recipient of the award to live outside Hawaii.
The program continues featuring hula ‘auana — modern hula — dancing to lyrics and music representing legendary and notable places throughout the Hawaiian Islands, taught by Kumu Hula Kehau Chrisman.
Before the show, attendees may participate in a 50-50 cash raffle and buy Hawaiian-themed items at the Halau Store. In a silent auction, attendees may bid on various Hawaiian artifacts, illustrations and artwork. Proceeds benefit Aloha ‘Aina O Hawai‘i, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting activities that promote public education about the customs, values, language, arts and crafts of Hawaiian culture. For more information, visit hawaiianculture.com.
Cottonwood-based Halau Hula Napuaokalei‘ilima is under the direction of Kumu Hula — hula master — Kehau Chrisman. Formerly of Hawaii and a 22-year Cottonwood resident, she accumulated more than 40 years in the field of hula, of which 17 were spent training in Hawaii to reach the rank of hula master by learning rigorous hula protocols taught by respected masters in Hawaii’s hula legacy. She started teaching hula in Hawaii in 1997 and has been teaching in Northern and Central Arizona since 2004. Since opening her Cottonwood hula school in 2004, Chrisman has also taught Hawaiian culture, including ‘ukulele music and Hawaiian language. Students travel from across the Verde Valley, Flagstaff and Prescott for her expertise. For more information about the hula school, visit arizonahula.com.
Pre-sale tickets are available online and must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. Oct. 16. Tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for youth ages 7 to 17, and free for children under 7. Tickets at the door cost $20 for adults, $10 for youth ages 7 to 17, and are free for children under 7. For more information, email HulaIsAloha@gmail.com.