Reed Travel Features
HONOLULU -- Hawaii's longest-running show for tourists
celebrates its 60th anniversary on March 7.
The Kodak Hula Show was started in 1937 on Waikiki Beach.
It is held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays year-round,
from 10 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. at the Waikiki Shell in Kapiolani Park,
near the Honolulu Zoo.
Admission is free.
Kodak started the show when there were limited opportunities to
take daytime photos of hula dancers.
During World War II, the show continued, and performers
entertained troops stationed at Hawaii military bases.
Today the show attracts between 140,000 and 150,000 visitors a
year, according to Tim Ryugo, Kodak sales account executive.
Special shows and promotions commemorating the anniversary are
being planned, he said.
The show features 40 dancers and musicians of the Royal Hawaiian
Girls Glee Club, which has performed since the show started.
It aims to teach basic hula movements, and visitors can
volunteer to dance on stage.
Hawaiian entertainer Kimo Kahoano is master of ceremonies.
May Akeo Brown, the show's director, joined in 1938 as a
dancer.
The grounds hold a maximum of 2,500 people.
For further information or to arrange for tickets, call Kodak at
(808) 627-3379.