Performance Finding Aid: Kent Ghirard 90th Birthday Celebration, 2008

Abstract

Reaching age 90 is a big milestone, and HPS wanted to help celebrate elder Kent Ghirard, founder and leader of the premiere 1950s Hula Nani troupe, upon this special occasion. Besides sharing his story through oral histories and performing with his dancers, he donated his personal collection of photos, slides, and scrapbooks to HPS prior to his passing. To help celebrate his birthday, HPS mounted a month-long photo exhibit in Honolulu Hale (City Hall), in conjunction with the concert that featured many greats in hula and music from the 1950s who offered gifts of hula and song. (See Finding Aid detail for names.) It was indeed a one-of-a-kind evening! Music was graciously provided by Paʻahana’s Doug Tolentino, Pakala Fernandes, and Kaipo Kukahiko. They notably donated their time and talents for every community performance Uncle Kent and his dancers gave, until his passing in 2011. Deep gratitude to Paʻahana for their generosity and dedication! This Finding Aid is but a small sample of performances in the HPS Archive.