[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)

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Merrie Monarch 2010: Miss Aloha Hula

Miss Aloha Hula full of color, emotion

Photos by Dennis Oda / doda@starbulletin.com

Mahealani Mika Hirao-Solem from Hula Halau O Kamuela reacts in her dressing room after it was announced that she won the Miss Aloha Hula title. She is flanked by her kumu, Kau’i Kamana’o, left, and Kunewa Mook.

By Nina Wu
nwu@starbulletin.com

HILO, Hawaii » The evening was full of applause, emotion and anticipation as 13 dancers vied for the title of Miss Aloha Hula at this year’s Merrie Monarch Festival. Every performance was unique, telling yet another story, in a different voice as many-colored and varied as the hues of the pa‘u skirts.

Three hours into the competition, there was no clear winner. 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