Mokihana Festival 2025 | Full-Event Video Production by Kanakanowelo
A Celebration of Hula and Community
The Kauaʻi Mokihana Festival 2025 filled the War Memorial Convention Hall with the rhythm of pahu, the elegance of hula, and the warmth of aloha from September 26–28, 2025. For three days, dancers, musicians, and families came together to celebrate Hawaiian culture through story and movement.
Kanakanowelo was honored to handle the festival’s complete video production — recording every hula performance and ensuring that everyone, from backstage to the lobby, could experience the magic happening on stage.
Bringing the Stage to Every Corner of the Festival
Our role went far beyond filming. Using a network of PTZOptics 4K cameras, the Blackmagic ATEM Television Studio 4K, and HyperDeck recorders, we streamed a live video preview feed across the entire facility.
That meant guests shopping with vendors, kupuna resting in the lobby, and performers preparing backstage could still watch each hālau’s presentation in real time. This setup allowed the festival to feel united — one community, connected through shared viewing and sound.
Filming the Heart of Hula
Across three days of competition, over 20 hālau performed nearly 40 songs on Saturday alone, with slightly fewer on Friday and Sunday. Each performance carried its own interpretation of moʻolelo — stories told through choreography, chant, and expression.
What stood out most was the creativity and freedom that define the Mokihana Festival. Compared to other competitions, the atmosphere felt more relaxed and joyful, allowing each group to present their mele in unique, unexpected ways. For a videographer, this meant every dance offered a new artistic perspective to capture — from sweeping kaholo to intricate expressions of emotion.
Memorable Moments
May icons of Hawaiian culture graced the stage — whose presence added depth and legacy to the festival. Their guidance and artistry inspired both the participants and those of us behind the lens.
Filming them, alongside dozens of hālau and live musicians, reminded us how hula continues to bind our community together through shared passion and creativity.
Technical Precision Meets Cultural Respect
Each camera angle, audio feed, and switcher output was managed with precision.
Our Canon 1DX Mark II added cinematic close-ups, while the PTZOptics cameras handled fluid, wide-angle coverage. The Blackmagic HyperDecks archived every frame in pristine 4K so that each moment — from oli to ʻauana — can be relived for years to come.
Viewers who purchase online access will enjoy lifetime viewing of the entire competition — a modern way to preserve and share Kauaʻi’s cultural legacy.
Why Video Production Matters for Cultural Festivals
Events like the Mokihana Festival carry generations of history and meaning. Professional video production ensures these moments are not only remembered but experienced by future audiences.
For festival organizers, a high-quality video archive becomes a lasting resource — for promotion, education, and community pride.
Kanakanowelo specializes in exactly that: multi-day, multi-camera productions that honor Hawaiian culture while meeting professional broadcast standards.
Looking Ahead
The Mokihana Festival 2025 reaffirmed the power of visual storytelling in connecting communities. From the creativity of each hālau to the smiles of those watching from afar, it was a reminder that film can bridge spaces and generations.
If you’re planning a festival or cultural event and want to ensure every chant, every beat, and every emotion is captured with care, Kanakanowelo is ready to bring your story to life.
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