Hula ‘auana closes out the 2025 Merrie Monarch Festival
Hula ‘auana closed out the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26.
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Halau Hiiakainamakalehua under the direction of Kumu Robert Keano Ka'upu IV and Lono Padilla from Nihelewai, Kona, O'ahu (Kãne) performing "Ke Ali'i Hulu Mamo" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. Helen Desha Beamer honors Princess Elizabeth Kahanu Kalaniana'ole, drawing poignant comparison between her and the rare mamo bird found in the uplands of Waimea, Hawaii. Additionally, the mele praises the prized lehua blossom, a favorite of the mamo bird, symbolizing the beauty and revered status of both the princess and the blossom. The comparison underscores Kahanu's unique and cherished qualities, her rarity and elegance.2/29
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Halau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina ala under the direction of Kumu Leina'ala Pavao Jardin from Kalaheo, Kauai performing "Palisa" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. This is a song dreamed by a boy's imagination. He was a patient living isolated in rural Kalaupapa, Molokai in the late 1800s. This young man was inspired by a movie and he envisioned himself exploring Paris, France and other fascinating places mentioned in the mele. Paris was the most beautiful. This performance was inspired by the choreography of the late Kumu Hula Odetta Nesmith.3/29
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Halau Kekuaokala' au'ala iliahi under the direction of Kumu Haunani & 'Tiahi Paredes from Wailuku, Maui (Kane) performing "Na 'Ono Holopeki" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. Kuana Tones Kahele composed this playful mele with a taste for Lanai venison and mutton pleasantly in mind. Affectionately called the "Deer Song," this fun hula is about the wild game found roaming the pali area as well as the lowlands of Lanai.4/29
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Halau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine under the direction of Kumu Kailihiwa Vaughan-Darval from Manoa and Waimanalo, Oahu performing "Ku'u Tita" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. Sam Bernard wrote this playful mele about a special person who stirs enthusiastically during the hours of aumoe, midnight. Affectionately called "Tita" or "Sister," she is revealed as a love interest, not as a sibling or a casual friend as initially hinted. Join the wahine as they share this cheeky but delightful tale of Tita who loves to play under the cover of night.5/29
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Kawai ulaokala under the direction of Kumu Keli iho omalu Puchalski from Kaiwi ula, Oahu (Kane) performing "Ka Wei Makahiki" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. The changing of seasons from Kau Wela to Ho'oilo and the appearance of the Makali'i signify the time of Lonoikamakahiki. Makahiki is a time of celebration and there are many ceremonies to honor Lono, the akua of peace and agriculture. Various Makahiki games are played, among them are 'ulu maika, 'O'o ihe, hapai pohaku, hakoko and hukihuki.6/29
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Halau Mphala Hima under the direction of Kumu Mapuana de Silva from Kaohao, Oahu performing "Alii Iolani" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. Although this mele is sometimes attributed to Helen Parker (1866-1964), its insistent, urgent intimacy suggests that it was composed during the lifetime of Alexander Liholiho CIolani) and probably before his 1856 marriage to Emma Rooke. It bears the trademark "Hea aku o mai" language of a mele inoa, but its enduring appeal can be attributed, in part, to its mele ma' i, mele ha' old' au undercurrents.7/29
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Halau Hula O Kauhionamauna under the direction of Kumu Theresa Kauhionamauna Ramento Tehiva from Waipahu, Oahu performing "Nani Venuse" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. The appearance of the beautiful planet Venus provides an intimate setting for a rendezvous between lovers. Composers Mary Kawena Pukui and Maddy Lam collaborated on the writing of this well-loved mele, a favorite among generations of hula dancers and musicians. Images of the night sky, the sea whispering on the sand amid great rain and wind are metaphors for bonds rooted in the heart.8/29
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Halau I Ka Wekiu under the direction of Kumu Karl Veto Baker and Michael Lanakila Casupang from Pauoa, Oahu (Kãne) performing "Pe ahi O Makana" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. Devin Kameaaloha Forest, a native of Ha'ena, wrote this song using the wind and the mountain as metaphors for a love story unfolding between two people. The peak of Makana is surrounded by the fragrant scent of pe'ahi ferns. Central elements of this mele are the famed firebrands of Makana and the Ko'olauwahine Wind which carried the firebrands out to sea.9/29
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Halau Na Lei Kaumaka O Uka under the direction of Kumu Napua Silva from Waiohuli, Maui performing "Waimea I Ka Lei" "Waimea Lullaby" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. 'Iolani and Natalie Kamateu composed this mele for Wairnea in the calm of Mauna Kea where love awaits. Beloved to the Lindsey ohana, Waimea is the land upon which they were raised amid wind-swept beauty and deep aloha. The mele is coupled with "Waimea Lullaby" which serves to deepen their connection to this 'aim and to the ohana Lindsey from which Kumu Hula Napua descends.10/29
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Halau Kekuaokala'au'ala'iliahi under the direction of Kumu Haunani and 'Iliahi Paredes from Wailuku, Maui performing "Nana'ika'ula" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. Penned by Kuana Torres Kahele, this mete honors the older name of Lanai and the lyrics feature places and plants found there. Unique lei materials that can be gathered on the island include the kauna'oa and pohuehue vines, the manewanewa grass and the lehua. The golden kauna'oa, graceful manewanewa and purple-hued lehua are woven together as a lei to adorn a loved one.11/29
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Ke Kai O Kahiki under the direction of Kumu La'akea Perry from Waianae and Laie, Oahu (Kane) performing "Makaha" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. The late Kumu Hula O'Brian Eselu wrote this mele paying tribute to the beauty of Makaha on the Waianae coast of Oahu. Standing in the shade of coconut and kiawe trees, the body tingles in the morning breeze. Makaha's open hospitality welcomes the malihini and the cry of peacocks sweetly call out Makaha's name—the land of exquisite loveliness that is admired.12/29
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Academy of Hawaiian Arts under the direction of Kumu Mark Keali'i Ho omalu from Oakland, Calif., performing "Pakalana Blossom," during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. The song is a tribute to the composer's makuahine. When Kuana Torres Kahele writes a song that mentions a pua pakalana, it is always about his Mama. It is her favorite pua of all blossoms and she thinks poetically of her children as a cluster of pakalana. The fragrance of these flowers is likened to her love for each of her children.13/29
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Halau Hiiakainamakalehua under the direction of Kumu Robert Keano Ka'upu IV and Lono Padill from Niuhelewai, Kona, Oahu performing "'O Ko 'a Aloha Id 'De" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. Johnny K. Almeida composed many exquisite mele, each praising the splendor of a specific flower and comparing them to particular subjects of his admiration. His endearing mele ho'oheno " 'O Ko 'u Aloha Ia 'Oe" honors Kananiondpua, a blossom who is either very obscure or perhaps very exposed. In tonight's performance, Halau ladies weave Johnny Almeida's timeless and lovely blossoms to bring life to the beauty, Kananiondpua.14/29
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Academy of Hawaiian Arts under the direction of Kumu Mark Keali'i Ho omalu from Oakland, Calif., (Kane) performing "Kumukahi" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. The entire performance honors Kurnukahi which is located in Puna, the easternmost point on the Island of Hawaii in the Hawaiian archipelago. Translated to mean "the beginning or origin," Kumukahi refers to the rejuvenating sunrise and the wafting of the freshest breezes on the planet. As air currents arrive here after weeks at sea, its quality is pure and untainted by any human contact.15/29
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Halau I Ka Wekiu under the direction of Kumu Karl Veto Baker and Michael Lanakila Casupang from Pauoa, Oahu performing "I Ka Uluwehi" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. Kumu Hula Karl Veto Baker and Michael Lanakila Casupang wrote this mele for their endearing love for their Kumu Robert Uluwehiondpuaikawelduokalani Cazimero who is celebrating fifty years of teaching hula. The poetry of this song begins at Mount Ka'ala on Oahu which symbolizes their profound admiration for their Kumu and his esteemed place in our world of hula.16/29
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Halau Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniakea under the direction of Kumu Kapua Dalire-Moe from Heeia, Oahu performing "Poli'ahu" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. Composer and Kumu Hula Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewitt pays homage to Poli'ahu, the beautiful goddess of snow and ice dwelling at Mauna Kea. Poli'ahu takes 'Aiwohikupua as a lover and feels great loss when he abandons her. 'Aiwohikupua was a Kaua'ali'i who returned to his court at Maria, leaving the snow goddess with only her memories of happier times.17/29
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Halau Hula 'O Kahikilaulani under the direction of Kumu Nahokuokalani Gaspang from Hilo, Hawaii island, performing "Pita Mdmane" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. This mele describes the bud of a pua ni5mane whose beauty is matchless. Composer, singer and musician Lena Machado recalls well-known places on Kauai, the land of Chief Mano-ka-lani-po. Yet, nothing approaches the loveliness of this very attractive mamane blossom. "The beauty is up in the heights where the mamane is in bud, charming and beyond compare, so very attractive."18/29
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Keolalaulani Halau 'Olapa O Laka under the direction of Kumu Keolalaulani Dalire and Regina Maka'ika'i Igarashi Pascua from He'eia, Kaneohe, Oahu performing "Muliwai" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. "Muliwar was composed by Mekia Kealaka'i for the home of Charles Pokipala Sr. Mr. Pokipala was a member of the Royal Hawaiian Band. In pauku 'ekahi, Mekia expresses his yearning and love for the beautiful Pokipala Hale that hosted many rehearsals for some of the members of the Royal Hawaiian Band Glee Club and Ensemble which was originally founded by Prince Leleiohoku.19/29
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Halau o ka Hanu Lehua under the direction of Kumu Carlson Kamaka Kukona III from Waikapu, Maui (Kane) performing "Hawaii No E Ka Di" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. Harry Na'ope wrote a very descriptive mele praising the beloved mountains, Mauna Kea cascaded in mist, Mauna Loa in a position of honor and Hualalai in the calm. All of these mountains are exalted and praised for their wondrous beauty. This classic Hawaii island tune refers to the cold upland lake as the piko and exclaims that Hawaii island is indeed the best.20/29
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Pua Ali'i 'Ilima under the direction of Kumu Vicky Hanaka'ulaniokamamalu Holt Takamine and Jeffrey Kanekaiwilani Takamine from Honolulu, Oahu performing "Wahine Holo Lio" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. The chant, "Wahine Holo Lio," honors Emma Kaleleonalani Na‘ea Rooke and praises her skills as an equestrian. Her mo'oku auhau, genealogy, acknowledges her descent from ali'i George Na'ea and Fanny Kekelaokalani Young. Emma was hanai by her mother's sister, Grace Kama'iku'i Young and Dr. Thomas Charles Byde Rooke, Grace's husband. "You are a horsewoman upon the steed, Kinau."21/29
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Kawai ulaokala under the direction of Kumu Keli iho omalu Puchalski from Kaiwiula, Oahu performing "Radio Hula" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. "Radio Hula" was composed in the 1920s by Elizabeth Alohikea to celebrate the arrival of radio in Hawaii. The composer marvels at the ingenuity of this invention and its ability to connect people from distant lands. In addition to music, one could tune in to a broadcast of a "radio drama," an audio version of a soap opera filled with drama, love, and romance.22/29
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Halau Hula 'O Kahikilaulani under the direction of Kumu Nahokuokalani Gaspang from Hilo, Hawaii performing "Heha Waipio" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. Waipio Valley's famed composer Sam Li'a Kalainaina penned "Heha Waipio" in 1907 at the request of schoolmate, Joe Perez. As Perez prepared for his wedding at his newly refurbished home in Waipio Valley, friends and family quietly criticized the seemingly haughty castle that appeared to be fit only for a king. At the wedding, Kalainaina presented the mele, that quickly became a favorite of many.23/29
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Hula Halau 'O Kamuela under the direction of Kumu Kunewa Mook and Kauionalani Kamanao from Kalihi and Waimanalo, Oahu, performing "Krvili" during the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. Kuwili and Kawa were a pair of fishponds located between Iwilei and Kou. These ponds were filled in to make way for the railroad and wharfs used by the sugar industry. Also mentioned in this mele are a few notorious houses of prostitution a famous one being Hale Lea or Iwilei Stockade, in Honolulu's Red Light District.24/29
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Hula Halau 'O Kamuela under the direction of Kumu Kunewa Mook and Kauionalani Kamana'o from Kalihi and Waimanalo, Oahu, performing "Krvili" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. Kuwili and Kawa were a pair of fishponds located between Iwilei and Kou. These ponds were filled in to make way for the railroad and wharfs used by the sugar industry. Also mentioned in this mele are a few notorious houses of prostitution a famous one being Hale Lea or Iwilei Stockade, in Honolulu's Red Light District.25/29
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Kawai ulaokala under the direction of Kumu Keli iho omalu Puchalski from Kaiwi ula, Oahu performing "Radio Hula" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. "Radio Hula" was composed in the 1920s by Elizabeth Alohikea to celebrate the arrival of radio in Hawaii. The composer marvels at the ingenuity of this invention and its ability to connect people from distant lands. In addition to music, one could tune in to a broadcast of a "radio drama," an audio version of a soap opera filled with drama, love, and romance.26/29
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Halau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina'ala under the direction of Kumu Leina'ala Pavao Jardin, Kalaheo, Kauai (Kane), performing "Na Pi O Kauai" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. This classic mele and hula from our home island brings life to the many beautiful and important wahi or places on Kauai that the Halau holds dear to our hearts. The kane depict familiar high spirited tunes including "Ka Ua Loku" and "Na U'i O Kauai." The dancers use pftili to mimic the famed pouring rain of Hanalei and the sounding sands of NOhili.27/29
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Ka Pa Hula O Ka Lei Lehua under the direction of Kumu Snowbird Puananiopaoakalani Bento from Honolulu, Oahu, performing "Ku 'u Hae Aloha" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. Kamehameha I designed the first Hae Hawaii to include the British Union Jack and stripes of red, white and blue that would later be standardized to 8 stripes. The Hae Hawai'i continues to be the symbol of Aloha 'Aim—patriotism and love of country—for the people of Hawai'i even after the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and the illegal occupation of the United States.28/29
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Halau Hula Keali'i O Nalani under the direction of Kumu Keali i Ceballos from Los Angeles, Calif., performing "Wailuku" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. To pay tribute to his beloved hometown of Wailuku on Maui, composer Dane Fujiwara highlights the familiar sights and natural elements found in West Maui. In particular, he fondly recalls memories of his childhood home on Kaho' okele Street. Though many years have passed, the permanence of his home along with the feeling of aloha and 'ohana that come with it forever remain.29/29
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Halau Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniakea under the direction of Kumu Kapua Dalire-Moe from Heeia, Oahu (Kane), performing "Ka Ua Kilihune" during the Merrie Monarch Festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Saturday, April 26. To honor late Kumu Hula Al Makahinu Bacarse, one of "Pops"' alaka'i, La'ie Gasper Kamakea, composed this mele. Halau classes were taught at Ke'alohi Point, the site of the former Ulu Mau Village and the current location of He' eia State Park. The names of various plants are used in the mele to identify individual halau members and the ua kilihune, misty rain, symbolizes "Pops" Bacarse.
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