MERRIE MONARCH WEEK 2009: A Slice of The Goings On

So many things happen in Hilo during Merrie Monarch week, aside from the Merrie Monarch hula competition itself. 

I will add new photos here every day throughout the Merrie Monarch Festival.

Hula Icon, Uncle George Na‘ope, outside Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Kalimakuhilani Suganuma, Miss Aloha Hula 2008, at ‘Imiloa

Big Island Native Hawaiian Art Exhibition - Prince Kuhio Plaza

Unukupukupu with Kumu Hula Taupori Tangaro at Naniloa Hotel

Dr. Kalena Silva after his lecture at ‘Imiloa

Lecture Audience at ‘Imiloa

Kana‘e Keawe with his Drum "Namaka"

Audience Inspecting Hula Implements at ‘Imiloa

Kumu Hula Pua Crumb at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Hula at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Hawaiian Craft Fair at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium

Hawe, Manu O Ku, Hawai‘i

Hawaiian Art at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium

John "Keoni" Aweau Turalde: Fisherman, Paddler, Carver

Unukupukupu, Kumu Hulu Taupori Tangaro at Afook-Chinen Auditorium

Kumu Hula Taupori Tangaro

Halau Leo Nahenahe O Pohai Kealoha at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Kumu Hula Stan Kaina and Friends

Dwight Tokumoto: Steel Guitar Player

Haulani, Pi‘ilani of Leo Nahenahe O Pohai Kealoha

Halau Hula O Hilo Hanakahi, Kumu Hula Pua Crumb at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Glenn Okuma: Coconut Weaver at Afook-Chinen Auditorium

Kumu Hula Manu Boyd Workshop at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center

Kumu Hula Manu Boyd Workshop at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center

Big Island Native Hawaiian Art Exhibition-Prince Kuhio Plaza

Dancer with Ke Ola Pono: Kumu Hula Rayce Bento at the Naniloa

Big Island Native Hawaiian Art Exhibition-Prince Kuhio Plaza

Kumu Hula Paul Neves at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Halau Ha‘a Kea ‘O Akala, Kumu Hula Paul Neves at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Halau Ha‘a Kea ‘O Akala - Kumu Hula Paul Neves: Hilo, Hawai‘i

He Kane Holo Lio: Merrie Monarch Parade

Na Wahine Holo Pa‘u: Merrie Monarch parade

Halau Hula ‘O Kahikilaulani - Kumu Hula Rae K. Fonseca: Hilo, Hawai‘i

Halau Na Mamo O Ka‘ala - Kumu Hula Tiare Noelani Chang: Wai‘anae, O‘ahu

 Macario:

All in all, it was a great week. We caught up with friends and relatives not seen for awhile, visited with our hula brothers and sisters and watched performances all over town. Seeing the culture alive and well in hula, music, art and parades is so satisfying. There’s nothing more to say.                            PAU