The wahine of Halau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi perform during the hula kahiko portion of the competition at the 2021 Merrie Monarch Festival, which had no live audience. This year the halau will be able to perform before a limited audience. — Photo courtesy of Merrie Monarch Festival
After the canceled Merrie Monarch Festival in 2020 to an event with no live audience last year, Maui halau competing next week are thrilled and thankful to have an in-person crowd, even though it will be only a fraction of the thousands of onlookers that they are used to.
“We are so excited to have any audience,” joked Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona of Halau O Ka Hanu Lehua based in Wailuku.
“All kidding aside, we are thrilled that some of our family and friends will be able to join us in person.”
‘Iliahi Paredes of Halau Kekuaokala’au’ala’iliahi expressed similar sentiments, saying he and his wife, fellow Kumu Hula Haunani Paredes, are “excited and thankful” to be in front of spectators, which this year will be ohana and halau supporters.
“We look forward to being surrounded by the positive energies of this year’s live audience,” said ‘Iliahi Paredes of the Wailuku-based halau.
Members of Halau O Ka Hanu Lehua of Wailuku hold a Merrie Monarch rehearsal last month on the grounds of The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona is at the far right. — Photo courtesy of Halau O Ka Hanu Lehua
“The vibe in the arena will be electrifying and we can’t wait,” he added.
Both halau will represent Maui in the hula competition of the weeklong 59th annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo. The Miss Aloha Hula or female soloist competition is on Thursday.
Riann Nalani Michiko Fujihara of Halau O Ka Hanu Lehua and Kyleigh Hokuao Manuel-Sagon of Halau Kekuaokala’au’ala’iliahi will both be competing in the soloist competition.
Individual halau will then compete on Friday in the hula kahiko, or ancient hula, category. On Saturday will be the ‘auana, or modern hula, category. It will be followed by awards.
In 2020, the competition was canceled because of COVID-19. Last year performances were back onstage in Hilo but taped without an audience and broadcast later.
This year there will be 18 halau who will perform before families of the dancers along with longstanding supporters and sponsors of the festival, according to the festival website. There were no general public ticket sales for the competition portion.
However, the contest will be broadcast on K5 and livestreamed on its website.
Not only is having a live audience special to Kukona and his halau, but this year marks the 15th year since the halau was initially invited to compete with its men, or kane, in the festival back in 2007.
As a nod to the anniversary, Kukona said the halau’s 19 women will also dance to “A Ko’olau Au,” in the kahiko competition, like the men did 15 years ago.
The dance is from the saga of Pele, the volcano goddess, and Pele’s sister Hi’iaka, telling of the torrential storms that Hi’iaka faces on the windward side of Oahu, Kukona explained.
He said the dance has been passed down to him from his kumu, Kamamalu Klein, and her kumu, Maiki Aiu.
For the ‘auana, the women will dance to an original composition by Kukona.
“Ha’ena i ka ‘Ehukai,” talks about a trip to Kauai more than 20 years ago to visit and dance at Ke Ahu A Laka, Kauluapaoa Ke’e, the scared and famed pa hula heiau, an ancient Hawaiian temple or sacred site.
Kukona said The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, “has been so generous” in allowing the halau to use the resort’s luau grounds for their large Merrie Monarch rehearsals.
Kukona had to find a place where the halau could map out the large stage that is at the Edith Kanaka’ole Stadium in Hilo.
Halau Kekuaokala’au’ala’iliahi is also no stranger to the stadium stage and hula competition. The halau last year won the wahine division and finished second overall among all halau.
‘Iliahi Paredes said that last year, “performing without an audience challenged us to do our best no matter the circumstances.”
“Our haumana (students) rose to the challenge and we are so proud of their achievements,” he added.
This year the Paredes’ halau will bring 22 wahine and nine kane.
The women’s hula kahiko will feature “Pohina Ka Ua,” or “misty is the rain.” It goes back to 1878 when Princess Ka’iulani was a toddler. The composition talks about Maui and the upper reaches of Wailuku and its surrounding valleys.
The woman’s hula ‘auana will be “E Ho’i Ke Aloha I Maunawili,” which means, “may love always return to Maunawili.” It was composed by ‘Iliahi Paredes for his grandma Mary Rebecca Kaleleiki Lee. His grandma “Mele” was born and raised in Maunawili on Oahu.
For their kahiko competition the kane will dance to “Ku’u Ipo Kehau,” or “my beloved mist.” It was composed for and in honor of Prince Jonah Kuhio.
The ‘auana will be “Ele’io” and is a lighthearted mele for the kukini, or speedy messenger, of Chief Kaka’alaneo who held court at Keka’a on Maui’s west side. It was also composed by ‘Iliahi Paredes.
* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.
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