Miss Aloha Hula competition starts tonight at Merrie Monarch

By Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writer

Family ties, always a potent element in the hula world, are on full display in tonight's Miss Aloha Hula Competition, the women's solo event that kicks off the three-day Merrie Monarch contest in Hilo.

Natasha Oda, last year's Miss Aloha Hula, dances in the 'auana portion of the hula competition. Advertiser library photo • April 19, 2001

• Malia Hi'iakaikawenaokeao Stender, 24, will make her second appearance in this competition, this time representing Ka Pa Hula o Kamehameha, the Kamehameha Schools halau taught by her father, Holoua Stender. In 1997 she danced for Ka Pa Hula O Kauanoe O Wa'ahila, with the late Mae Loebenstein as her kumu.

• Shelsea Lilia Makanoe Lindsey Ai, 18, is the youngest child of kumu hula Howard and Olana Ai. She will represent her parents' school, Halau Hula Olana, 12 years after her elder sister, Natalie, won the title.

• Lei'ohelo'ulaokalaniopele K. K. Hewett, 19, is the daughter of kumu hula Frank Kawaikapu'okalani Hewett. However, she has been trained by kumu hula Aloha Dalire — who is related to the Hewetts — and will dance for Dalire's halau, Keolalaulani Halau 'Olapa O Laka.

It's a special night for contestants, and viewers can count on sentimental touches in all the performances.

These three women certainly are no exception. Because Stender's name includes that of the goddess Hi'iaka, her kahiko (ancient hula) chant concerns Hi'iaka and the plant celebrated in legend, pa'u o Hi'iaka ("skirt of Hi'iaka"). You can see the plant in her costuming, too.

Both Ai dances are tributes to family loved ones who recently died, said her mother, Olana Ai. Some are musicians — Loyal Garner, Myra English, Leina'ala Simmerson — who have helped the halau; one is leimaker Phoebe Cullen. A chant about the wind, "Ka Makani Ka'ili Aloha," seemed appropriate as a vessel of love for their friends, she said.

"They're not far away, just on the wind," Olana Ai said. "And Merrie Monarch is the season we think of them."

Hewett, known as 'Ula to her family and halau sisters, is dancing two compositions written by her father for the occasion, Dalire said.

The elder Hewett generally focuses on performance but not competition; because 'Ula wanted to compete, he sent her to Keolalaulani, where she has studied for about three years, Dalire said.

He is not performing the music, however, for his daughter's hula.

"We want him to sit and watch," Dalire said. "To be honest, he's more nervous than she is."

Correction: Because of an editor's error, Natasha Oda's name was incorrect in an earlier version of this story.