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As Merrie Monarch prepares to shake off all pandemic restrictions, Festival President Luana Kawelu is filled with gratitude.
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Tickets will go on sale Dec. 1 ― old school style.
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We spoke with Kumu Hula Leina'ala Pavao Jardin and her 'olapa minutes after their historic win at Merrie Monarch 2022.
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Merrie Monarch Extra: Kumu Hula and local fashion designer Micah Kamohoali'i joins us to talk Kahiko
Kumu Micah Kamohoali'i shares how he trains his 'olapa in the art of Kahiko. He also explained where he draws inspiration from for his successful fashion line.
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Kumu Hula Leina'ala Pavao Jardin shared mana'o on their mele and their journey to Merrie Monarch over the years.
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This year, Ho'ike night was the only night at the stadium open for the public to attend. Tickets went fast, and these people were lucky enough to score some.
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In a special episode of "Hula is Life," Talk Story's McKenna Maduli takes a look at the art of haku mele. Sheʻs joined by Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, Robi Kahakalau and Louis “Moon” Kauakahi.
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“It was all about gratitude this year, it was all about Ke Akua, all about love.”
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The wahine of Halau Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina’ala made history this weekend, bringing home to Kauai the coveted Merrie Monarch Lokalia Montgomery Overall Award for the first time.
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The 2022 competition kicked off on Thursday night with the annual Miss Aloha Hula contest at the Edith Kanaka’ole Stadium in Hilo.
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The final night of competition Saturday at the Merrie Monarch Festival featured hula ‘auana, or contemporary hula.
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Twenty-four halau took the stage at the Edith Kanakaole Stadium.
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The final night of competition Saturday at the Merrie Monarch Festival featured hula ‘auana, or contemporary hula.
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"Itʻs just nice to feel people again, and to see the smiles on everybody. We love it.”
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For the first time in two years, the Merrie Monarch Festival Royal Parade made a grand return to the streets of Hilo on Saturday.
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For the first time in two years, the Merrie Monarch Festival Royal Parade made a grand return to the streets of Hilo on Saturday.
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Written by Hula Master Johnny Lum Ho, this mele takes us on a bus ride around the island of Moloka‘i. It was composed for dear friend, Kumu Hula Moana Dudoit, who shows us the beauty of Moloka‘i from the seats of her bus as it travels up and down the roads of Mana‘e and Hālawa. Hold on to your seats and get ready because da bus coming!
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This is a mele lovingly composed by Kumu Paredes for his Tūtū wahine, Mary Kaleleiki Lee. Affectionately known to her ‘ohana as Mele, she was born in Maunawili Valley, O‘ahu. She was raised there by her maternal grandfather, Samuel Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi Kaleleiki. Tūtū Mele shared many stories of her childhood growing up in Maunawili.
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“Nā Kuahiwi Kaulana” is a composition of the famed Kohala native and falsetto poet Bill Ali‘iloa Lincoln. The mele celebrates the extent of Lincolnʻs home – from the heights of Mauna Kea, Kaulana” with Bell Records [LKS 245] in 1947.
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In September 2007, Kumu Hinaleimoana Wong composed this mele as a rallying call to unite. “Be honored always, oh beloved descendants of the land. The new dawn for our people of Hawai‘i is upon us...” The men dance to pay tribute to the kūpuna and the descendants of this land.
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Kumu Paredes wrote this composition for ‘Ele‘io, the messenger of Chief Kaka‘alaneo, whose court was at Keka‘a on West Maui. At the request of his chief, who was ‘ono for ‘awa from Waiohue, ‘Ele‘io runs to the Ko‘olau side of the island. He encounters the beautiful, mysterious Kanikani‘ā‘ula, and is unable to complete his task.
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This mele is about beloved Waikīkī and its whispering sea. The scent of limu līpoa (seaweed) is carried on a gentle breeze. “Your name is famous to visitors, all your beauty known around the world.” The mele was given to Helen Ayat by her mother who was a lady-in-waiting to Kūhiōʻs wife, Princess Kahanu.
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Haku mele Robert Uluwehi Cazimero declares his aloha for Kaua‘i in the words “My love forever returns to Kaua‘i afloat in the sea.” Following a visit to Hanalei, Limahuli, Makan and Hā‘ena in the moku of Halele‘a, he returns to O‘ahu and pays loving tribute to wahi pana (legendary places) on Kaua‘i in this mele.
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In this mele, composers Kumu Chinky Māhoe and Louis “Moon” Kauakahi boast of men who eat healthy and stay fit. They work out at the gym, surf and admire themselves in the mirror to check out their appeal–handsome and vain! “Checking out the waves, and the ladies. Here I am, look at me.”
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Today, fishing is a favorite pastime of many Hawaiians, whether itʻs throwing net, casting, diving, or just kicking back with a bamboo pole. This mele, composed by Kumu Chinky Māhoe and ‘Iokepa De Santos was dedicated to Chinkyʻs grandfather who often fished with nets of Kailua Beach.
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This mele lei wehi (song of praise) provides a snapshot of Palace life and a brief moment with Queen Lili‘uokalani on a particular afternoon. Lili‘uokalani was a woman of regal stature and she was best known for her kindness and compassion. Today, our beloved Queen continues to be a source of inspiration and hope for our lāhui Hawai‘i.
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“The sun greets the dawning of the day; The flowers bloom in the morning dew; She is awake.” These lovely images were written and put to music by Lukela Ke‘ala for his “U‘ilani.” Lukela recalls a special memory, a longing and the feeling of deep love that only he and his U‘ilani share. Larry Kimuraʻs composition “Sweet Memory” finishes the mele “U‘ilani.”
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Beautiful is the view of Wao Akua in the lofty heights of Pi‘iholo, Maui. The sun casts a brilliant stream of golden rays upon the mountain and it adorns the clouds in hues of goldenrod, peach and orange. Kumu Carlson Kamaka Kukona III composed “Nani Pi‘iholo” and set the lyrics to a haunting melody.
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This love song relates to a bittersweet affair that romantically links the manu ‘ō‘ō and the lehua blossoms. The Kani Lehua rain of Hilo is symbolic of the chatter and gossip experienced by the two lovers.
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Late composer and pianist Momi Jones describes Kui (Kukui) Tree Dam located in the mountains above Lake Wilson in Wahiawā, O‘ahu. Here, kukui trees stand guard and “voices of birds are heard; sending sweet calls in the early morning.” It is at Kukui Tree Dam that the composer was courted by her husband.
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