KS alumni shine at 2021 Merrie Monarch Festival

Winning the Merrie Monarch Festival’s top individual hula title – Miss Aloha Hula – was Rosemary Kaʻimilei Keamoai-Strickland KSK’14. Her kumu hula are Tracie Lopes KSK’89 and Keawe Lopes of hālau hula o Ka Lā ‘Ōnohi Mai O Ha‘eha‘e. Ki‘i courtesy of the Merrie Monarch Festival.

July 7, 2021

Contributed by Nadine Lagaso

Members of the KS ‘ohana abound at the 58th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival hula competition in Hilo, under the direction of esteemed KS alumna Auntie Luana Kawelu KSK’58. From kumu hula and haumāna to broadcast hosts and haku mele, KS was well-represented.

The annual festival honors King David Kalākaua, the “Merrie Monarch,” in recognition of his role in the revival of hula. Winning the competition’s top individual hula title – Miss Aloha Hula – was Rosemary Kaʻimilei Keamoai-Strickland KSK’14. Her kumu hula are Tracie Lopes KSK’89 and Keawe Lopes of hālau hula o Ka Lā ‘Ōnohi Mai O Ha‘eha‘e.

Also taking top honors were nā kumu hula ʻIliahi Paredes KSK’92 and Haunani Paredes of Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi whose women took first place in the Wahine Overall and Wahine ‘Auana categories.

The hula competition aired from July 1 through 3 on KFVE. Performances were filmed a week before the broadcast at the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium with strict COVID-19 protocols being enforced. Island entertainer Kimo Kahoano KSK’66 announced the names of hula dancers and hālau as they took the stage. The participants were not notified in advance of the results before they were announced during the telecasts.

The winners were named as part of the festival’s TV broadcast by hosts Kamehameha Schools Cultural Consultant Manu Boyd KSK’80 and Amy Kalili KSK’89. The Merrie Monarch shows were produced by Kalili and another KS alumnus – Nāʻālehu Anthony KSK’93. Much of the taping was done at the KFVE studio in Kapālama Kai, Honolulu.

The KS alumni featured here and throughout the Merrie Monarch Festival are shining examples of nā pua a Pauahi who have embraced their heritage by perpetuating the art of hula, the Hawaiian language, and cultural traditions.

To view all of this years winners and participants, visit the Merrie Monarch Festival webpage.

Also taking top honors at the hula festival were nā kumu hula ʻIliahi Paredes KSK’92 and Haunani Paredes of Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi whose women took first place in the Wahine Overall and Wahine ‘Auana categories. Ki‘i courtesy of Hawai‘i News Now.

The winners were named as part of the festival’s TV broadcast by hosts Kamehameha Schools Cultural Consultant Manu Boyd KSK’80 (left) and Amy Kalili KSK’89 (right). The Merrie Monarch shows were produced by Kalili and another KS alumnus – Nāʻālehu Anthony KSK’93 (standing). Ki‘i courtesy of ‘Ōiwi TV.