PICS: Hula at Hawaii Theatre

Photos by FL Morris / fmorris@staradvertiser.com

The Kawika Trask Trio, from left Keao Costa, Kawika Trask, Dwight Kanae and jeff Au Hoy, perform during “‘Ahihi Lehua: For the Love of Hula” last Sunday at Hawaii Theatre.

Star-Advertiser Staff
tgif@staradvertiser.com

Kumu Hula Robert Uluwehi Cazimero, Vicky Holt Takamine, Mapuana de Silva, Michael Pili Pang, Maelia Loebenstein Carter and Manu Boyd were at Hawaii Theatre last weekend to perform along with the Brothers Cazimero and Kawika Trask during “Ahihi Lehua: For the Love of Hula.” The concert was a benefit for the Hawaii Theatre Center and participating halau. Read more

Hawaii Theatre focuses on Hawaiian culture this weekend

Star-Advertiser Staff
tgif@staradvertiser.com

The Hawaii Theatre downtown will be busy this weekend with two special presentations.

On Saturday, it’s “Hollywood Goes Hawaiian,” showcasing three classic movies.

The 1939 film “Honolulu,” starring Eleanor Powell, will show at 1 p.m., followed by 1942’s “Song of the Islands” at 3 p.m., starring Betty Grable. At 5 p.m., see John Ford’s 1963 movie “Donovan’s Reef,” with John Wayne.

Ticket prices in advance are $7 general admission and $2 for those 18 and under; general admission at the door is $12.

At 4 p.m. Sunday, noted halau hula will gather for “‘Ahihi Lehua: For the Love of Hula.”

Kumu hula Robert Uluwehi Cazimero, Vicky Holt Takamine, Mapuana de Silva, Michael Pili Pang, Maelia Loebenstein Carter and Manu Boyd combine talents for an afternoon ‘aha mele featuring scores of dancers and chanters, with nahenahe Hawaiian music by the Brothers Cazimero, Kawika Trask & Friends and more. The concert will serve as a benefit for the Hawaii Theatre Center and participating halau hula.

Tickets for Sunday’s show are $25; call 528-0506 or visit www.hawaiitheatre.com.

Merrie Monarch 2010: Looking back

Eselu full of gratitude in victory

Dennis Oda / doda@starbulletin.com

Ke Kai O Kahiki kumu hula O’Brien Eselu, right, accepted three awards, including overall winner, on behalf of his halau at the Merrie Monarch festival last weekend.

By Nina Wu
nwu@starbulletin.com

HILO, Hawaii » Kumu hula O‘Brian Eselu has proven once again that a small group of hula dancers can be just as powerful as halau three or four times its size.

Eselu’s six-member halau, Waianae’s Ke Kai O Kahiki, won not only its second overall title at the 47th annual Merrie Monarch Festival last weekend, but also best kane overall as well as awards for best kane kahiko and kane ‘auana.

Originally from Samoa, Eselu returned to the Merrie Monarch festival two years ago after a hiatus due to health problems and surprised everyone by taking the overall title last year. The 54-year old entered his first Merrie Monarch competition 31 years ago with his late partner, Thaddius Wilson; the halau was known then as Na Wai ‘Eha O Puna.

Always humble, Eselu said he was full of gratitude when he learned his halau had won on Saturday.

“I just want to thank the Merrie Monarch Festival, Auntie Dottie and Uncle George,” he said. “Thirty-one years ago they were so kind to me, and so encouraging. I’m here to celebrate them and their legacy.”

Eselu said he was surprised at the wins because he introduced a new step in his kahiko number, “A Ka‘uku,” which is only used by his halau. It’s a step that involves jumping in the air, clapping, then coming back down with a waterfall movement. Eselu learned it from his own kumu decades ago.

It was a bold move and risk, one which the Merrie Monarch judges might not have approved of. Still, Eselu — also the director of a Polynesian show at Paradise Cove Luau and a Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning musician — is known for taking risks. Read more

Merrie Monarch 2010 winners announced

Eselu, Reichel win big in Hilo

By Nina Wu
nwu@starbulletin.com

HILO, Hawaii » Once again, it was kumu hula O‘Brian Eselu’s halau, Ke Kai O Kahiki, that swept all categories for a second year in a row at the 27th Merrie Monarch Festival.

Ke Kai O Kahiki was the overall winner, as well as the winner of the kane kahiko, kane ‘auana and kane overall categories — a clean sweep. Last year, Eselu’s halau did not win the kane ‘auana category, which went to kumu hula William “Sonny” Ching.

Keali‘i Reichel’s Halau Ke‘alaokamaile, meanwhile, won the wahine overall title, as well as wahine kahiko and wahine ‘auana.

Eselu’s halau, made up of just six male dancers, was the last to perform out of 28 contestants. They did not disappoint, with a rendition of “A Ka‘uku,” a tale about the land battle between Pele and Kamapua‘a in the hula kahiko competition on Friday night. The halau also delighted the crowd last night with a lively performance of “E Koa‘e E,” a tale about a white tropic bird that nest upon sheer cliffs, while fishing from the sea.

Ching’s halau took third place in the wahine kahiko as well as the kane ‘auana categories. Read more

[PICS] Merrie Monarch 2010: Group Hula Kahiko Competition

Merrie Monarch moments

Photos by Dennis Oda
doda@starbulletin.com

>> Nā Pualei O Likolehua
Kumu hula: Leinaʻala Kalama Heine (Kapālama, Oʻahu)

Read more

Merrie Monarch 2010: Na Mamo O Pu‘uanahulu visits Halema‘uma‘u

Paying homage to Pele

Photos by Dennis Oda / doda@starbulletin.com

By Nina Wu
nwu@starbulletin.com

VOLCANO, Hawaii » There was a peaceful quiet and calm over Halema‘uma‘u at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Wednesday, as smoke from the caldera spouted upward into the vast horizon.

From a lookout spot before a healthy Ohia lehua tree in full bloom at the crater’s edge, kumu hula William “Sonny” Ching and his halau, Na Mamo O Pu‘uanahulu, offered chants to Pele and danced in full costume — first the men, then the women.

Miss Aloha Hula contender Ashlynne Kahoapilianakupuna Jingao stepped out onto a lauhala mat, chanted out to the caldera and performed her kahiko (an homage to her own ancestors) to the natural elements, completely in the moment.

In the stillness, there was no other sound except for the song of birds in the background (and people snapping photos). It was a spiritual moment — an offering — rather than a competition or a performance.

Then one by one, each member of the halau went up to the edge, and offered first their lei po‘o (head lei) and lei a‘i (neck lei) in a neat pile. Read more

Do It: ‘Twilight at Helumoa’

Hula highlights Royal Hawaiian show

Star-Bulletin Staff
features@starbulletin.com

Head to Waikiki for an evening of music and fashion on the grounds of the Royal Hawaiian Center. “Twilight at Helumoa” will take place at the Royal Grove along Kalakaua Avenue between the center’s B and C buildings.

Kumu hula Coline Aiu and Halau Hula o Maiki will start the evening with traditional hula kahiko at 6 p.m. tomorrow, followed by a fashion show at 6:30 p.m. featuring items from center merchants and models from ADR Productions. 2009 Na Hoku Hanohano Award winners Holunape will wrap things up with an hourlong set that will begin around 7 p.m.

While admission to the concert and fashion show is free, parking is $5 with validation; eat at one of the Royal Hawaiian Center’s restaurants or food court for up to three hours of free parking.

>> Where: The Royal Grove at Helumoa, Royal Hawaiian Center
>> When: 6 to 8 p.m. March 27
>> Cost: Free
>> Info: 922-2299 or www.royalhawaiiancenter.com

Do It: 20th Annual Moanikeala Hula Festival

Hula’s elite to gather in Moanikeala contest

The Polynesian Cultural Center will host some of hula’s elite dancers at the 20th Annual Moanikeala Hula Festival.

The festival has evolved from its early roots as a keiki hula competition into what is now a one-of-a-kind ho‘ike, or exhibition, preserving and sharing the hula as well as honoring Auntie Sally Wood Naluai, the center’s first kumu hula.

Some of Hawaii’s best hula halau, including former students and family members of Auntie Sally’s, and a special guest halau from Japan, will be gracing the stage.

Attendees can also use their tickets for free admission to PCC’s six island villages following the event, and upgrade their tickets to a dinner and/or the “Ha: Breath of Life” show package.

>> Where: Polynesian Cultural Center, 55-370 Kamehameha Highway
>> When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 16
>> Cost: $10 general admission, $6 for children 5 to 15 years old
>> Call: 293-3333

‘Music and Dance of Hawaii’ returns to Bishop Museum

Photo courtesy Bishop Museum

Thanks to a grant from the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Bishop Museum will be resuming the popular Music and Dance of Hawaii hula program during this month.

The program begins June 5 in the Hawaiian Hall Atrium and will occur daily except Sundays and Tuesdays through June 29.

To have hula in the Atrium is wonderful, as we await the opening of Hawaiian Hall in August, said kumu hula Noelani Chang, pictured, whose Halau Na Mamo O Kaala had provided the program for eight years at the museum before it ended last September. There is so much for us to share.

A half-hour hula show, showing both kahiko (ancient) and auana (contemporary) forms, will be held at noon and 2 p.m. as part of the program, with a 45-minute craft demonstration and easy hula lesson given in between at 12:45 p.m.

Music and Dance of Hawaii is included with Bishop Museum admission: $15.95 general admission; $12.95 for keiki ages 4 to 12 and seniors 65 and older; $8.95 for kamaaina and military; and $7.95 for youth and senior kamaaina and military.

For more information, call 847-8511 or visit www.bishopmuseum.org.