What It Takes to be a Hula Champion

Hula is a dance of illusions. Behind the grace and the sway there is grit, athleticism, and a knee-breaking, blister-inducing effort to leave everything you have on the dance floor. Every year, the best compete at the Merrie Monarch Festival, the world’s most prestigious hula competition. Kayli Ka’iulani Carr, who is in her last year of eligibility for the contest, is trying to win the festival’s solo competition, Miss Aloha Hula. Does she have what it takes?

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[Windmelodie]

People need to keep in mind: Whenever anything is done professionally/competetively, it WILL be exhausting and downright painful. Be it ballet or hula dancer, tennis or chess player, violinist or opera singer. Perfection and professionalism requires dedication and love for the things you are doing. I am so glad there are so many people who love Hula so much that people like us are blessed to see it.

[delaneym.]

Hula is a bit like ballet in terms of practice intensity and the knee and feet problems. My god it's intense. It's so beautiful. I loved watching her perform so much.

[itsjade]

I really don't like the people who disrespect the Hawaiian culture and make fun of it by thinking Hawaii is just a place for them to use for their luxury or just randomly doing the hula incorrectly without honor.

[STomBoy]

Am I the only who gasped and paused when she said she dances FOR A 14 MINUTE SOLO!?!? DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEA HOW LONG OF A SOLO DANCE THAT IS!? insane dedication!!

[TheCatsMew]

I like how the physical demands that is involve is up there with ballet(or ballet is up there with hula ;) ). Mad respect to hula dancers.

[deadpoolz]

Uncle freaked out over there yelling at the girls 😂. You know he's from Hawaii.

[JPlovesmusic]

All the women in my family danced hula in halaus my whole life. it is like dancing ballet. hardcore to the point of the kumu screaming, people crying, giving up, physical so insanely beautiful and powerful. this is REAL hula.

[politespoon]

man i’m so jealous of them

also when he yelled it reminded me of the vine “PATRICIA”

[Great_Lake_Surfer]

The U.S. needs to give Hawai'i back to its true people

[Fumi]

I didn't get tickets for Miss Aloha, but I was there to see Kayli perform with her halau for auana and kahiko, and she stood out then. So pleased she won. Be blessed, sis.

[Christian-vnsf]

This channel is great, it reminds me of when Vice was actually good

[haleyfujimoto]

I am a competitive hula dancer, I also do Tahitian. A lot of people come up to me in school and try to do their version of "hula" in front of me, I walk away from them, it's really disrespectful if people don't take it seriously and think it's easy because they don't know how much effort is put in

[eaiza]

When you can't explain why you love something, that's how you know you truly love it.

[jgallub]

I would never assume hula is easy. The amount of elegance, grace, strength, and poise you need is insane. Her dance was so beautiful and her humbleness is a breath of fresh air.

[trashfourlife]

I am a 13 year old Hula dancer who has been dancing since I was 5. My Halau has won many prizes at Merry Monarch, all because of their hard work. I danced for Keki Hula twice, and it's not as big as Merry Monarch, but Kumu brought us in for 2-3 hours yelling at us if we messed something up. It was hard, but worth it. I can't imagine what our Merry Monarch girls have to go through just comparing it to my Keki Hula practices.
This video brought me to tears, as it finally shows how hard dancers have to work in order to be that beautiful, that elegant on stage.

[radda_k]

I dropped out of an halau the first day. It was just too strict & comfortably didn't and doesn't exist in this case. Wanted to carry on our cultural dance, but I feel like I disappointed my people, I'm sorry. For now, I'm on the uke.
I didn't tell anyone but I actually cried on my first day, I got categorized with high expectations. Not usual for me. Spent the rest of the class hours in the bathroom pouring my eyes out .. but my advice for those who are looking forward to join an hula halau.

1. Not all kupuna's/kumu's are the same, some will be patient with new comers & others .. not so much.

2. Take it seriously .
Hula is not to be mimicked in an jokingly manner.
When you enter the room/class be in a firm mindset.

3. If you don't feel hula isn't for you, DON'T continue.
No matter how many people pressure you into continuing. In the end, it's your choice to make. Don't feel afraid to speak up! ❤

[Kaileighbean]

oh man. I'm a white American and this brought even me to tears. this culture is so fascinating and she danced beautifully. she deserved to win

[mesh]

3:02 this dude scared the shit out of me when he just screamed at the dancers

[royalysweet]

Watching videos like these makes me feel so disconnected from my ancestors, being mixed you have no idea which gods to pay tribute, which dances to dance, which music should resonate with your soul, how do I plant my roots without knowing which trees they came from?

[megmo]

Mahalo for telling indigenous stories.