2013 Merrie Monarch Winners- Miss Aloha Hula ʻAuana

Fulfilling its mission to preserve and perpetuate the art of hula, each year the Merrie Monarch Festival provides a stage for the world’s finest hula hālau (schools) in order to showcase Hawaiʻi’s unique cultural art of hula.
Here are highlights of the 5 top finishers in the 2013 Miss Aloha Hula competition, Hula ʻAuana (Modern) performance.

1st Place: Manalani Mili Hokoana English
Hālau: Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka
Nā Kumu Hula: Nāpua Greig & Kahulu Maluo

“E Pili Mai”
“Kuʻu lei o ka pō,” is a metaphor for my sweetheart, “my lei of the night.” Intense yearnings deeply fill my heart.
“E Sweetheart mine, e pili mai.” Come close to me for you are mine now and forever.
Originally, this mele had only one verse, but on December 1, 2012, lyric composer Larry Lindsey Kimura added two more verses. Peter Moon composed the lovely music.

2nd Place: Sloane Makana West
Hālau: Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi
Nā Kumu Hula: ʻIliahi & Haunani Paredes

“Kimo Hula”
This hula was composed by Helen Desha Beamer as a gift of appreciation for her friends Kimo Henderson and his wife, Lydia Leimakani May Henderson, in recognition of their love and hospitality.
He was a Scottish businessman and Hilo philanthropist. Moanikeʻala was their beautiful, stately home and gardens located in the uplands of Piʻihonua, Hilo, Hawaiʻi.

3rd Place: Jasmine Kaleihiwa Dunlap
Hālau: Hula Hālau ʻO Kamuela
Nā Kumu Hula: Kauʻionālani Kamanaʻo & Kunewa Mook

“Aloha No Kalākaua”
This expression of gratitude to King David Kalākaua was inspired by the King’s perpetuation of ancient arts - hula and chant among them. Kalākaua’s encouragement of the practice and preservation of dance and chant made him particularly beloved by his people.
“My one request is to dance in your presence in gratitude to you, Kalākaua, one so beloved.”

4th Place: Chalei Malianapuaonahala Puʻulei McKee
Hālau: Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe
Nā Kumu Hula: Tracie & Keawe Lopes

“Pīkake Onaona”
“Pīkake Onaona” was penned by composer Kaiponohea Hale for a dear friend, the renowned Robert Cazimero. It honors the notion of friendship in true Hawaiian style, venerating its importance with lyrics that bring tribute to a favored flower so beloved.
Hale writes, “Like a dear, dear friend, the pīkake is truly a prized blossom, and I honor its beauty in this song.”

5th Place: Whitney Piʻilani Baldwin Schneider-Furuya
Hālau: Hālau I Ka Wēkiu
Nā Kumu Hula: Karl Veto Baker & Michael Casupang

“Lei Mānoa”
Musician Barry Flanagan hoped to compose a love song which would one day serve as his wedding proposal. He was told that every day without fail, a lei of rain clouds descends and encircles Waʻahila Ridge in Mānoa Valley. This beautiful metaphor inspired his love song for his wife-to-be, Leslie. It symbolizes the marriage bond, sealed with a ring, and calls to mind the rain clouds in Mānoa.

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