Merrie Monarch Festival: Overall Winners
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The men of Halau I Ka Wekiu, above, were champions Saturday at the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, taking the men's titles for kahiko (ancient), auana (modern) and kane (men) overall. In vibrant purple the men performed "Pua Lawena," honoring Maui's Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm, in the auana competition. The halau, directed by Karl Veto Baker and Michael Casupang, took the overall title, with the women's group also scoring well.
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Halau 'o Kamuela dances to "Ka 'Ano'i Pua," a mele by Charles Nahale'a about a love affair that ended in a broken heart.
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Halau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala performed Saturday at the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, earning fourth place in the auana competition.
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@Caption1:Mapuana de Silva's Halau Mohala 'Ilima, above, performs "Hiehie Kilaulani," which won the auana competition.
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@Caption1:<*R>Chinky Mahoe's Kawaili'ula halau won second place for this auana performance, "Ha'ua'u E," a procreation chant written for a son of Kamehameha. The halau also took second place in the kahiko competition and second among kane overall.
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A dancer with Manu'aikohana Boyd's Halau o ke 'A'ali'i Ku Makani dances to "He Lei 'Ala No Likelike," which won first place in wahine kahiko.
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Kyle Atabay, above left, Mapuana de Silva and Maelia Loebenstein Carter cheered as it was announced that de Silva's Halau Mohala 'Ilima had taken first place in the wahine auana competition. Her halau also placed second among women overall.
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