Saturday – Parade and Last Day of Hula Festival

Saturday – Parade and Last Day of Hula Festival

We had breakfast at a local fast food place that the Hilo locals seemed to prefer.  We then spent the morning wandering around downtown Hilo waiting for the Merrie Monarch Festival parade to start.  

Early morning, central part of Hilo, Hawaii

Looking South - Central Hilo

Municipal Buildings in Hilo, Hawaii

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A small burger place on a backstreet, Central Hilo, Hawaii

Big Island Candy Company - Great  handmade candy!

Farmers Market, Central Hilo, Hawaii

 

The sun was quite strong making it a warm, humid day.  I sat in the car reading quite a while Sherb and Jan wandered around the central part of the town.

Start of the Merrie Monarch Festival Parade

Parade Queens with their Pa'u (Pah-OO) mounted honor guard
  

Merrie Monarch Festival - The Royal Court in the Parade

Not exactly the Rose Parade, but it will do !

Later, we returned to our friend’s home to nap until it was time for the last evening of the Festival.

Once again our dinner was hot dogs or a rich beef stew that was available at the refreshment booths at the festival arena. 

Jan and Sherb at the Merrie Monarch Festival

 

The Royal Court was again announced by conch shell trumpeters and a herald as they crossed the stage to take their special seats and the dancing began again. (Photos of the Royal Court are on the previous blog page.)

Trumpeting the arrival of the Royal Court

This part of the competition was reserved for the less classic ‘Auana (Ahh-oo-AHN-ahh) form of hula.  You will remember that the more classic and formal style of hula, Kahiko, was performed the night before.   

And, I hope you remember that the songs or chants or stories that the dance is performed to are called “mele” and are performed by the various “Halau” – groups of dancers.

1st Place - Wahine 'Auana - Hula Halau 'O Kamuela, Oahu, HI

                                                                                                                                                                                             

1st Place Winners for 'Auana Style Hula

1st place winners with a bold new move - spelling out the word "Oahu" as part of the mele. At the right is one of KITV Channels 4 and 5 camera crew

1st Place Winners - Kane (Men's) 'Auana Style Hula

The mele is a tribute to Duke Kahanamoku, a legendary surfer and Olympic Athlete. Performed by Halau Kaleo Trinidad, Honolulu, Oahu

2nd Place Wahine 'Auana - Halau Ki'alaokamaile from Wailuku, Maui

2nd Place Kane 'Auana - Halau I Ka Wekiu - from Pauoa, Oahu

2nd Place - Kane 'Auana style of Hula

3rd Place Wahine - 'Auana - Halau Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniakea from Kane'ohe, Oahu

3rd Place Kane 'Auana - Halau Hula 'O Kahikilaulani from Hilo, Hawaii

Here are some un-captioned photos of contestants from other halau who competed the second night of the competition.  You will notice the striking variation in costume styles for the less formal, more contemporary 'Auana hula style.

 

The photos are taken using a Canon G-11 digital camera using available light.  I use a mono-pod to help the image stabilization circuit in the camera to overcome my "shakiness."

The location of the great seats that aided my photography efforts were thanks to Jan Medieros, who reserved them about 8 months before - on the first day the tickets became available!

I hope you enjoy sharing the journey and my photos.  Please share this blog site with your friends and family.  I reserve all rights to the photos for any type of publication and commercial use.  

Your comments are my pay - I enjoy receiving them.

Next time - Sunday - A drive to Waipio Valley and a view of Peter Pan's Island of the Lost Boys and the Temple on Whale Hill.  This will be the last page about my trip to the Big Island - Hawaii.