Alohafest! Kanikapila!

"Kanikapila" is Hawaiian for jam session, a free-flowing, unstructured sudden outburst of dancing and singing just for the fun of it. The Kanikapila features Southern California talent from two Pacific island cultures. The indigenous Maori warrior traditions of New Zealand come to life with poi balls, sticks and the ever-popular haka, or war chant. An appearance by Halau Hula Na Meakanu O Laka O Hawaii performing ancient and modern forms of hula and the Ford debut of the Kalama Brothers -- the newest rising stars from Hawaii whose acoustic sound is a blend of rhythm and blues, rock and Hawaiian -- round out the evening.