[AGL] Aloha Hula - Part 1

[Bill Irwin]

One of the premire events of the Hawaiian Kingdom has just concluded, The Merrie Monarch Festival.  Billed as the world series of the Hula world it is a celebration of the Hula dance and things Hawaiian.  A week long festival with manmy free demonstrations of the Hula dance all week, seveal craft markets with Hawaiian crafts and the most important thing the competion for the best dance groups from around the world.  Competions are held for Miss Aloha Hula, the best single female dancer, and in Hula Kahiko, and Hula Auana.  Hula Kahiko is the anchient form and the costumes, dance form, and chants must be from the historical past.  Hula Auana is the modern form in which you can be more creative and deal with modern subjects, songs about Hawaiian cowboys are popular or driving the car around the island.  Prizes are awarded for best kane and waihine groups in each catagory.  The show I always try to go see is the opening night celebration which is an international Hula show.   Allways on stage is Hula Halau O Kekuhi of Hilo, this group you can think of as the royal dance group of the Temple of Pele as they are dedicated to the interpretation of the Pele legend.  They are so pure they never enter the competion and their Hula linage extends back to infinity,  the stadium is named after the mother of the kumu Hula of this group.  Then there are several groups from other places.  There is always a group from some place in the South Pacific, this year a Maori group from New Zeland.  Also a rather large Hula halau from Japan, their music was a dance band from Tahiti.

Here is a selection of photographs from the recent event.

The Merrie Monarch:  King David Kalakaua  and his Queen Kapi'olani.   He is called the merrie monarch because of his love of music and dance.  Kalakaua himself wrote many songs and dances, the state song, Hawaii Pono 'I, was writen by Kalakaua.



The event begins with the entrance of the King into the building.  He is proceeded by the blowing of the conch shell heralding the entrance of the King.  All stand for the entrance of the King.



Next comes the Royal Cantor singing a chant announcing the coming of the King and advising all to respect the King.  In ancient Hawaii it was a capital offense to allow your shadow to fall across the path of the king.


This years acting King - Grant Kauahi, a wholesale wine and sprits salesman.


Next comes the singing of the national anthem, then the state song which is the only state song composed by a King and the only state song in a non-western language.  Then a popular Catholic priest gives a prayer and sings a hymn, all in Hawaiian.  The audience knows these songs so everyone sings along in Hawaiian, I'm even beginning to learn the state song.  

HAWAII PONO 'I
Hawaii pono 'i, nana i kou Mo 'i
    Hawaii's own, look to your King

Ka lani Ali'i, ke Ali'i
    The highest Chief, the Chief

Makua lani e, Kamehameha
    The royal parent, Kamehameha

Na kaua e pale me ka ihe.
    We shall ward with the spear.

With the King presiding, we have sworn to defend the Kingdom and the Gods have been invoked:
Let the music begin.



Let the Dance begin.










The Maori group, Te Wharekura Maori A Rohe o Rakaumanga, preformed this year, they are from a Maori immersion school on New Zeeland's North Island.  With their aggressive, in-your-face style of dance they gave an impressive performance.



The Maori women.



I don't know if many of you guys have though about getting your butt tattooed but it seems to be the growing fad.  


The perfect accessory for the butt tattoo would be the fern frond jock strap.







Miss Aloha Chicken Feathers for 2007 is the lovely Miss. Pua Kamakawiwo'olenakanealoha



One of the best things about the Hula is the wonderful array of costumes.  Some adhere strictly to historical accuracy, some explore the heights of tropical fantasy.   Most all feature lots of flowers.   One of my favorite costumes is the traditional Hula costume of Ti leaf skirt and Plumaria leis, a classic Hula costume.  The Ti leaf skirt can be a bit of a problem for the dancer as a full Ti leaf skirt can weigh up to 20 pounds or more.  Ti has so many uses in Hawaii.   The dancers are carrying the 'uli 'uli, the gourd rattle, it has some small stones inside.


Hele on to Part 2
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