Fulfilling its mission to preserve and perpetuate the art of hula, each year the Merrie Monarch Festival provides a stage for the world’s finest hula hālau (schools) in order to showcase Hawaiʻi’s unique cultural art of hula.
Here are highlights of the 5 top finishers in the 2013 Hula Kahiko (ancient), Wahine (female) Division
1st Place: Hālau Mōhala ʻIlima
Kumu Hula: Māpuana de Silva
“Aia i Waimānalo ko Nuʻa Hulu”
Although commonly identified as “He Mele Hulu no Kapiʻolani i Waimānalo,” this mele is actually the first paukū of the 3-part name chant “He Inoa Nua Hulu no ka Moiwahine Kapiʻolani” composed by Mrs. A.K.L. and published in the Elele of 12-25-1886.
The Waimānalo of our paukū refers to the steamship that carried the queen and her feather bounty from Heʻeia to the landing at J.A. Cummings’ sugar plantation in Waimānalo.
2nd Place: Hula Hālau ʻO Kamuela
Nā Kumu Hula: Kauʻionālani Kamanaʻo & Kunewa Mook
“Ma Ke Kai Malino A ʻEhua”
The King is praised as a “skilled navigator” - one whose sacred birthright and privilege are recognized throughout his kingdom.
The words to this mele were written to commemorate King David Kalākaua’s 50th Birthday Jubilee on November 16, 1886. “The Jubilee has arrived… for you, oh wohi chief, ruler of the islands.”
3rd Place: Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana O Leināʻala
Kumu Hula: Leināʻala Pavao Jardin
“Aloha Kekaha”
Composer and Niʻihau native Māmā Ane Kanahele binds three important landmarks together - Kekaha and Nohili on Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, with a special emphasis on Kaulakahi, the channel between Kauaʻi and Niʻihau. Kaulakahi suggests a tight bond between Kauaʻi and Niʻihau.
At Māmā Ane’s home in Kekaha, a gentle ocean breeze carries sea spray, and another light wind from the uplands brings the fragrance of mokihana berries and the small-leaf lauliʻi.
4th Place: Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe
Nā Kumu Hula: Tracie & Keawe Lopes
“Ua Awakea”
“Ua Awakea” is a composition of Lolokū that honors the land of Puna, particularly Cape Kumukahi where the sun rises in the most eastern point of all Hawaiʻi. The mele highlights three phases of the sun - “Kahikole,” the early morning sun, “Kahikū,” the mid-morning sun, and “Lolokū,” most noted as “Kau ka lā i ka lolo,” the noon day sun.
The refrain is “Let us live forever for the sun has arrived.” “All of Hawaiʻi is enlightened by the tranquil midday sun, for it is Awakea, it is noon!”
5th Place: Hālau Hula Olana
Nā Kumu Hula: Olana & Howard Ai
“Noʻenoʻe Ke Aloha”
In this name chant for King Kalākaua, many well-known and well-loved places on the island of Kauaʻi are mentioned. The icy mist touches the leaves of the hinahina plants atop Mount Hāʻupu, and the scent of mokihana berries and maile leaves perfume Kilohana.
The rich images presented in this mele are fitting tributes to honor our Merrie Monarch, David Kalākaua.
=====SOCIAL MEDIA=====
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjbzsPHmfq7ww5Yyin7IulA
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/merriemonarchfestival/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themerriemonarchfestival
=====MORE INFO=====
website https://www.merriemonarch.com
shop https://www.merriemonarch.com/shop or (808) 935-9168