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By Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin
Tehani Kealamailani Gonzado from Hula Halau O
Kamuela performs during the Miss Aloha Hula kahiko
portion of the competition yesterday. The mele is about
Kinoiki Kekaulike, high chiefess and mother of Prince
Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole and sister of Queen Kapiolani .
Gonzardo won the Aloha Hula crown.

Confident
performance wins
Miss Aloha Hula

A radiantTehani Kealamailani
Gonzado takes the title

Travel, search bring dancer opportunity

By Tim Ryan
Star-Bulletin

In a stunning, seductive and confident display of both ancient and modern hula last night at Hilo's Edith Kanakaole Stadium, Tehani Kealamailani Gonzado of Honolulu was named Miss Aloha Hula in the opening competition of the 37th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival. It was Gonzado's first attempt at trying for the solo title.

Gonzado, of Hula Halau O Kamuela of Kalihi/Waimanalo, outperformed 13 other dancers with self-confidence that sometimes seemed to border on arrogance.

She began her kahiko with a chant about Kinoiki Kekaulike, high priestess and mother of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana'ole and sister of Kapio'lani. It was composed in 1870.

THE WINNERS Here are the results of last night's Merrie Monarch Festival's Miss Aloha Hula competition: 1st, Tehani Kealamailani Gonzado, Hula Halau O Kamuela, Oahu; 1,167 points 2nd, Lauren Leialoha Kana'e, Halau Hula Olana, Oahu; 1,148 3rd, Mavis Ali'imanukai Kanei, Keolalaulani Halau 'Olapa 'O Laka, Oahu; 1,114 4th, Erica Lauren Duran, Ke Kai o Kahiki, Oahu 5th, Vonn Hanaloia Gerona, Halau Hula 'O Kawaili'ula, Oahu Language Award: Lauren Leialoha Kana'e Catch the Merrie Monarch Festival live on the Internet at: http://www.merriemonarchlive.com

While Gonzado kneeled on stage during her kahiko performance, her smile radiated through the near-capacity crowd, bringing cheers and whoops from the audience. Then the dancer sprang to her feet and turned to walk away, glancing back at the judges as she left the stage to even more applause.

Her 'auana performance was far more subtle, but the smile remained, perhaps even more brilliant. This time her mele was a love story of seduction, romance and intrigue composed by Princess Likelike and Gonzado played the crowd perfectly with graceful hand movements, determined steps and a radiance to die for.

The crowd was generous in its applause to all 14 contestants, representing nine halau from Oahu; two from the mainland; and one each from Kauai, Maui and host Big Island.

Thunderous applause greeted Jaclyn Kapuamakamae Abella of the Halau Ho'ola Ka Mano O Hawai'i of Dallas, Texas. The group almost didn't make it to the festival after a member stole its travel monies.

"We love you Texas," several people yelled.

By Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin
As Tehani Kealamailani Gonzado is named
Miss Aloha Hula, she is hugged by her
teacher Kauionalani Kamanao.

Abella acknowledged the aloha with a smile and subtle tilt of her head.

The stadium was filled with a rainbow of aloha shirts, muumuu and other tropical wear as the audience sat through more than four hours of performances in an evening that began humid and turned cool as the time passed.

By the end of the competition, and as the seven judges were making their decision, Gillian Akeakamai Odani, of Halau Keali'i O Nalani, of Los Angeles, was the first contestant to join her halau sitting in the audience. She was immediately covered with more than two dozen leis. By the time the winner was announced her eyes barely peeked over the scented flowers.

Lauren Leialoha Kana'e of Aiea's Halau Hula Olana was awarded second place and the language award.

The competition continues tonight at the stadium featuring 27 halaus in the Group Kahiko dancing for men and for women and tomorrow night the same number of halau performing the Group 'Auana.

Events will be televised on KITV beginning at 6 p.m. each day.

---

By Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin
While Tehani Kealamailani Gonzado reacts to her victory with
tears and her teacher Kauionalani Kamanao with a hug, the
kumu hula of her halau, Paleka Leina'ala Mattos, center,
and Kunewa Mook show their joy.

Travel, search bring
dancer opportunity

By Tim Ryan
Star-Bulletin

Tehani Kealamailani Gonzado, winner of last night's Merrie Monarch Miss Aloha Hula title, had to leave her island home and return before she could find a place where she could thrive as a dancer.

Gonzado won the award for ancient and modern hula hands down last night, after more than four hours of competition with 13 other dancers.

Gonzado, 23, had performed in William Sonny Ching's Halau Na Mamo 'O Pu'uanahulu a few years ago but was never selected to represent the group in the Miss Aloha Hula competition.

So the Oahu-born-and-raised dancer moved to Las Vegas two years ago, continued her studies, then returned to Honolulu and last year joined Hula Halau O Kamuela, which she represented last night.

"I just try to free myself when I'm on stage dancing; I try to bring the culture to the art and what I believe in," she said. "I think I can be very effective in my facial expressions and my eyes."

Gonzado has been dancing since age 4 and works with her parents as a consultant.

As for her time in Ching's halau, Gonzado says she doesn't dwell on what's in the past.

"He wasn't ready to run me out there at that time I was dancing with him," she said. "But I know I was there for a purpose and that was to be a halau member.

"If he had picked me to represent the halau, that would have been great, but he didn't and that's OK because there is a reason for everything and here I am now."

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