{"id":215574,"date":"2025-05-08T14:13:37","date_gmt":"2025-05-09T00:13:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=215574"},"modified":"2025-05-08T15:43:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T01:43:00","slug":"uh-asia-pacific-dance-fest-rallies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/05\/08\/uh-asia-pacific-dance-fest-rallies\/","title":{"rendered":"UH<\/abbr> Asia Pacific dance fest rallies after $25K<\/abbr> cut, public support needed"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"dancers
Credit: Dennis Nishihara<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Asia Pacific Dance Festival<\/a> (APDF<\/abbr>) is moving ahead—despite a last-minute loss of major funding. Just two weeks before its May 19 return to the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa, the National Endowment for the Arts withdrew its $25,000 grant to support the festival\u2019s programming.<\/p>\n

\"Dance
Credit: Eric Chang<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“While this loss poses a significant challenge, the APDF<\/abbr> team remains committed to delivering an inspiring celebration of dance, culture and connection, and this only strengthens our resolve,” said SheenRu Yong, associate director of APDF<\/abbr>. “We\u2019re not canceling\u2014we\u2019re coming together. The show will go on. If anything, this challenge is a call to gather for what matters, so come through.”<\/p>\n

Hosted by UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa\u2019s Outreach College<\/a>, the festival runs through June 1, and brings together artists and dance traditions from across Asia, the Pacific and Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>. Participants can take part in immersive workshops, attend performances and explore the cultural roots behind each movement.<\/p>\n

The festival happens every two years and offers a deep, hands-on dive into storytelling through dance.<\/p>\n

Purchase tickets online<\/a> or by phone (808) 956-8246.<\/p>\n

\"Dancers
From left: Arzoo Dance Theatre, Rako Pasefika and H\u0101lau Pua Aliʻi<\/span> ʻIlima<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Festival highlights<\/h2>\n

Residents Artists<\/strong><\/p>\n

H\u0101lau Pua Aliʻi<\/span> ʻIlima<\/span><\/a>, under the direction of Kumu Hula Vicky Holt Takamine<\/p>\n

Arzoo Dance Theatre<\/a> from India\/Canada, directed by Deepti Gupta<\/p>\n

Rako Pasefika<\/a> from Rotuma, Fiji, led by Letila Mitchell<\/p>\n

\"Hula
Credit: Gregory Yamamoto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Performance schedule<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Living the Art of Hula<\/strong>
\nH\u0101lau Kilipohe N\u0101 Lei Lehua
\nThursday, May 22 at 7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

Local Motion!: A Tribute to H. Wayne Mendoza<\/strong>
\nA celebration of traditional Filipino dance by Mendoza\u2019s former apprentices
\nSunday, May 25 at 2 p.m.<\/p>\n

ʻIke Hana I<\/abbr> & II<\/abbr><\/strong>
\nTwo dynamic performances showcasing different works by this year\u2019s resident artists
\nSaturday, May 31 at 7:30 p.m.
\nSunday, June 1 at 2 p.m.<\/p>\n

“The public is warmly encouraged to attend this year\u2019s performances, share the festival with others,” said Yong. “Every ticket, every social share, and every gesture of support helps sustain this work.”<\/p>\n

For a full schedule of performances and free public events go to APDF<\/abbr> website<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hosted by UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa\u2019s Outreach College, the festival brings together artists and dance traditions from across Asia, the Pacific and Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":215589,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[78,33,1041,1466,49,9],"class_list":["post-215574","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-dance","tag-hawaiian","tag-hula","tag-manoa-enhancing-student-success","tag-outreach-college","tag-uh-manoa","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t