This past weekend was wonderful! After months of hard work, dedication, and overcoming challenges, Kamaehu and Kuʻuipo shared their hula presentations at Hula O Nā Keiki! It was such a blessed weekend! We enjoyed being a mini "staycation" at Kāʻanapali Beach Hotel, but we kept busy preparing Ehu and Kuʻu for their competition. The kids got to enjoy time at Puʻu Kekaʻa (Black Rock) and in the pool.
Friday morning was a stressful and nerve racking morning for everyone. One of the hardest parts of this competition is the interview. Both Ehu and Kuʻu went through rigorous preparation for this. They had to study their dances, the history and background, the composers of their hapa haole songs, their costumes, adornments, oli - every aspect of their presentation had to be studied and researched and the kids had to be prepared to share their research with the judges in the interview. They also take all of their costumes and adornments with them to show the judges what they will wear. They receive separate scores and awards for costumes and adornments. We were all so nervous, but the kids did great!
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| Ehu and Kuʻu waiting to be interviewed. |
Friday night was hula kahiko (ancient hula). Kuʻu was number 6 and Kamaehu was number 15, the very last performance of the night. Kuʻu was beautiful and elegant as she danced for Princess Kaʻiulani. Her oli (chant) was a genealogical chant she wrote that recites the genealogy of Princess Kaʻiulani. Kamaehu was strong and powerful as he chanted and danced Mālie ʻo Maui, a very difficult hula passed down from Kumu OʻBrien Eselu who taught Kumu ʻIliahi.
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| Kamaehu presents "Mālie ʻo Maui" for his hula kahiko. |
Saturday afternoon was the hula ʻauana (modern hula) accompanied by beautiful Hawaiian music! The hula ʻauana for this competition has to be hapa haole (Hawaiian and English lyrics) and be written between 1929 and 1939, the era of hapa haole music. Kuʻu presented "Dancing Under the Stars" and "Iʻll Weave a Lei of Stars for You". Her entire costume and adornments complimented the mele. Kamaehu swung his ti-leaf skirt to "Do the Hula" and "Hula Town", dressed in an Asian-inspired silk Aloha Shirt from the hapa haole era of clothing. He wore lei plumeria sewn with love by his mother, grandmother, and aunty.
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| Relieved and excited after his hula ʻauana |
One of the highlights this year was watching Kamalani do her farewell performance as Miss Hula O Nā Keiki 2011. She did a medley of Hawaiʻi Calls, sung by Holunape, Roselani Blossoms, sung by her hula brothers of Papa ʻIliahi (including her brothers Kamaehu and Kamahiwa), and The One They Call Hawaiʻi, sung by her brother, Kamalei. It was truly a heartwarming, tear-jerking, memorable performance that will last in my heart and mind forever!
After her farewell, the winners were announced and boy did the hard work pay off! Kuʻuipo won ʻŌpio Interview Award, ʻAuana Costume and Adornment Award, 1st place Oli Award, 1st place Hula Award, and Overall Winner - Miss Hula O Nā Keiki! Kamaehu won Kahiko Costume Award, 1st place Oli Award, 1st place Hula Award and Overall Winner - Master Hula O Nā Keiki! The hālau also won the Kumu Hula Award and Music Award.
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| The new winners pose with Kamalani! |
As the new Miss and Master Hula O Nā Keiki 2012, their very first commitment is an early morning photo shoot with Randy J. Braun on the beach. They woke up at 4:30 am to prepare. The perfect picture of each will be selected for the Hula O Nā Keiki wall of fame at the hotel. We feel so very blessed and we thank Ke Akua, God, for this wonderful accomplishment!
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| A bond between hula brother and sister. |
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