MERRIE MONARCH NOTEBOOK
A final aloha from Hilo
| • | Three days of competition, a lifetime of memories |
| • | Merrie Monarch Festival results |
| • | Merrie Monarch photo gallery |
By Wanda A. Adams
Advertiser Staff Writer
HILO, Hawai'i — As the screams rise around me with the halau getting the good news of their awards, it's hard to believe that Merrie Monarch 2003 is coming to a close.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
Even if you're not in the thick of it, dancing or judging or even reporting, it's a wild ride, with so many events in addition to the six hours a night of hula — yesterday's parade down Kilaue'a Avenue, for example, during which, for once, the rain did not fall, an event unusual enough that Father George De Costa thought it worth giving a special thanks to Ke Akua in his opening prayer last night.
Kau'i Kamanao, left, and fellow kumu hula Kunewa Mook, holding a picture of the late kumu hula Paleka Mattos, embrace after Halau 'O Kamuela won the top award last night.
Thankful for much more than that was Kau'i Kamanao, who has assumed the primary responsibility for the instruction of top award winner Halau 'O Kamuela last year after the untimely death of his kumu hula Paleka Mattos. When the halau's first-place win was announced, in the kane kahiko category, Kamanao was overcome with tears — not just the usual few trickling down the face but convulsed with sobs to the point of having to stop and recover himself on stage before accepting his award.
"I was just empty inside when (her death) happened," said Kamanao later. "This just filled me up. I wasn't expecting it. I just wanted to do the best I could do for the group and for what she has left me. I still miss her. I'll always miss her, but this helps." His fellow kumu hula, Kunewa Mook, who carried a picture of Mattos throughout the competition and displayed it whenever the kumu were on stage, concurred: "Oh, yes," he said. "This was all for her."
In the aftermath of kissing and flowers and picture-taking and prize-giving, Halau I Ka Wekiu, which won several awards, gathered backstage to cement togetherness with a rousing chant that poured out into the Edith Kanaka'ole Tennis Stadium forming a background to the hubbub as workers began to break down the TV equipment and seating arrangements.
The crowd that had already made for the doors even as announcer Kimo Kahoano was saying a final aloha included many visitors from Japan, most of them middle-aged women, enthusiastic fans who clearly recognized their favorite kumu hula and musicians and tittered with excitement whenever a Cazimero or Kanahele came near. (The sight of one of the Makaha Sons solemnly blowing a kiss right back to a blushing Japanese visitor is one you don't soon forget.) They are enthusiastic readers of Japan's hula magazine and forked out a lot of yen to spend many hours on hard chairs listening to a language few of them understand, marveling at an art form many of them practice with enthusiasm if not authenticity. They made up the bulk of the customers for the Hula Supply Store's temporary shop in the Hotel Naniloa.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
The musicians this year, as usual, included many of Hawai'i's best-known and went completely unheralded as is Merrie Monarch's custom, although it was difficult not to notice that it was Amy Hanaial'i voice on "Heha Holualoa" or Ho'okena backing Chinky Mahoe's men last night. One that many may not have recognized, but will, is a newcomer whose powerful voice and sweet singing style added warmth to the performance of "Ka Lawai'a," Lorna Lim's song for her brother Kimo, a fisherman, performed by Halau I Ka Wekiu. That beautiful woman you may have caught a glimpse of on TV is Kainani Kahaunaele, whose new CD, "Na'u oe," was just released.
Halau Hula O Kahikilaulani dancers, under the tutelage of Ray Fonseca of Hilo, compete in the wahine division on the final night of the Merrie Monarch Festival. The 'auana competition last night showcased contemporary hula to cap off the Hilo festival, which also included soloists and the traditional kahiko style.
Altogether, those who attended or watched all three nights of Merrie Monarch hula witnessed 59 performances. Close watchers may have noted these trends:
• More and more playing to the audience — bowing toward the crowd, nodding or winking, shouting out, performing little bits of business with the clothes (several male halau did major flirting with their grass skirts, swishing them about).
• Lots of vertical and horizontal work in choreography, such as having one line kneel or crouch while the other stands to dance; having lines move through each other or dance to or even with each other (for example, slapping each other's bamboo rattles).
• Dancing in close groups rather than spreading out across the stage; this is very dramatic and risks collisions but also helps dancers to maintain the highly desired straight lines and gives the impression of the group as a single entity.
• Leaving a few dancers behind to complete the dance as the others file or dance off, creating a memorable finish.
And speaking of finishing, I need to wrap this up; it's 1 a.m. and they're literally pulling the house to bits around me.
A hui hou until Merrie Monarch 2004!
