I had another cousin named Peter (Pohaku) who passed away suddenly a couple of years ago. He was a kumu hula who established the Halau Kanikapahuolohi‘au in Kapa‘a in 1980 on the island of Kauai. I'm told that the halau performed a beautiful hula at his funeral. My mother says my aunt used to call her from Kauai to remind her to watch her son on TV when they performed at the Merrie Monarch Festival.
The Merrie Monarch is a big occassion in Hawaii where the halaus come together for a hula competition.
"Begun forty-seven years ago by the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce and continued by the private Merrie Monarch Festival community organization, the major purpose of the festival is the perpetuation, preservation, and promotion of the art of hula and the Hawaiian culture through education. The festival is considered the world's premier forum for people of all ages to display their skills and knowledge of the art of ancient and modern hula.
The annual presentation of the Merrie Monarch Festival has led to a renaissance of the Hawaiian culture that is being passed on from generation to generation. The week-long festival includes art exhibits, craft fairs, demonstrations, performances, a parade that emphasizes the cultures of Hawaii, and a three-day hula competition that has received worldwide recognition for its historic and cultural significance."
It was so much fun trying to pick out Yumiko in the group. This is from last night. They'll be performing again tonight. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for their halau since the competition is stiff.Before you ask... No, I have no idea how to do a hula aside from what I learned from Nona Beamer at a hula workshop almost 35 years ago. Let's face it. Learning to do line dancing with mostly my feet is enough of a challenge for me. Can you imagine how much harder it would be to add the all important hand movements that tell the story? I'd rather just watch Yumiko.
I personally can't dance period with any kind style, ballet, hip-hop, etc. But seriously, the hula allows people to get up and perform in front of other people and it's must be a great confidence builder especially for the kids.
ReplyDeleteI think hula is wonderful to watch, but I know next to nothing about it. Glad it is being passed on to the next generation! :-)
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh at your description of her grace and coordination being a result of hula dancing.
ReplyDeleteIt reminded me of a delightful Hiwaiian girl I worked with years ago who often worked nights as a hula dancer in a club. On stage Kapi was pure grace, off stage she had trouble navigating a door way with out hitting something.
What fun. I have a friend who belly dances too. Keeping moving whether line dancing or dancing the hula is the key to keeping moving. :)
ReplyDeleteI took a hula class during summer session at UH. Got a "B" for it. I almost flunked the final exam because my hands and knees shook so much from nervousness! lol
ReplyDeleteI love to watch graceful people. I have been tripping over my own feet all my life. Dancing lessons of any sort were beyond me.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to Kumiko and her halau in the competition.
— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Thanks for this wonderful post that shares some of the flavor of the festival & hula with our blog friends outside of Hawaii, Kay.
ReplyDeleteWarm Aloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
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sounds like a lovely festival. The hula is so pretty to watch.
ReplyDeleteThat is so beautiful. I can only imagine what it would be like to sit in the audience. Hope they do well.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful!!
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