Apr. 9, 2015

Contributed by Nadine Lagaso

“Hula is the language of the heart, therefore the heartbeat of the Hawaiian People.” This ʻōlelo by King David Kalākaua has been adopted by the annual Merrie Monarch Festival, which honors the king for his role in the revival of hula.

This “language of the heart” was once banned at Kamehameha Schools. Today, the heartbeat of hula beats strongly in the hearts of Pauahi’s children.

The week-long Merrie Monarch Festival features an internationally acclaimed hula competition showcasing kahiko (ancient) and ʻauana (modern) hula. The festivities also include a Miss Aloha Hula competition, Hawaiian arts fair, hula shows, and a grand parade through Hilo town.

The following Kamehameha Schools alumni will share their passion for hula, Hawaiian language and culture at the festival’s hula competition which begins tonight. Mahalo to each of them for bringing honor to the legacy of our founder Ke Aliʻi Bernice Pauahi Bishop.

KUMU HULA

Robert Uluwehi Cazimero, KSK’67
Hālau Nā Kamalei O Līlīlehua (kāne)

Kapua Dalire-Moe KSK’90
Hālau Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniākea (wahine)

Keola Dalire KSK’99
Keolalaulani Hālau ʻŌlapa O Laka (wahine)

Nāpua Greig KSK’92
Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka (wahine)

Tracie Lopes KSK’89
Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe (wahine)

ʻIliahi Paredes KSK’92
Hālau Kekuaokalaʻauʻalaʻiliahi
(wahine and kāne)

Kaleo Trinidad KSK’93
Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka Lā (kāne)
Trinidad is also a KS Kapālama performing arts teacher

Kaʻilihiwa Vaughan-Darval KSK’93
Hālau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine (wahine)

MISS ALOHA HULA

Alyssa Akiyama KSK’08
Hālau Hula Olana 
Nā Kumu Hula: Olana and Howard Ai

Kelsey Galago KSM’10
Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi 
Nā Kumu Hula: Haunani and ‘Iliahi Paredes KSK'92

Kelsey is the daughter of KS Maui HR Client Services Administrator Kris Galago KSK'89 and Kamehameha Scholars/ Extension Education kumu “Tiny” Galago.

ʻĀnela Tanigawa KSM’10
Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka
Kumu Hula: Nāpua Greig KSK'92

ʻĀnela is the daughter of KS Maui Educational Assistant Naomi Tanigawa.

The 2014 Miss Aloha Hula – Keʻalohilani Tara Eliga Serrao of Ka Lā ‘Ōnohi Mai O Ha‘eha‘e – is a 2009 KS graduate. In addition to earning the title, she garnered the OHA Language Award as well.

For details on the event, visit the Merrie Monarch Festival website. Learn more about King David Kalākaua in the I Mua Newsroom story, “Celebrating the life of the Merrie Monarch,” by KS’ Hoʻokahua Cultural Vibrancy Group.

A heartfelt mahalo to Pauahi Foundation Alumni Relations Coordinator Denise Ka‘a‘a KSK'84 for helping to gather and verify the information for this story. If we missed anyone, please email us at ksonline@ksbe.edu.

Kumu Hula Kaleo Trinidad KSK'93 and his halau – Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka Lā – will return to Merrie Monarch this year after winning first place in the 'auana competition, second place in the kahiko competition, and earning the coveted Lokalia Montgomery Overall Award in 2014.

Kelsey Galago KSM'10 – daughter of KS Maui staffers Kris and "Tiny" Galago – is among the KS alumni vying for the Miss Aloha Hula title.

Festival President Luana Kawelu KSK’58 (right) oversees the event to ensure that it remains true to its roots, following in the footsteps of her late mother, Dottie Thompson (left).

The annual festival honors King David Kalākaua, the “Merrie Monarch,” in recognition of his role in the revival of hula.

In honor of Kalākaua, KS Hawaiʻi haumāna and kumu produced the short film, "A Ka Wailele ʻO Peʻepeʻe." The story is told in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi with English subtitles. View the video below.