Will Chrissy Noelani Kama, left, be able to regain the Miss Aloha Title for Halau O Ka Ua Kani Lehua? Stay tuned to KITV for live broadcasts:
>> Miss Aloha Hula: 6 p.m. today.
>> Hula Kahiko: 6 p.m. tomorrow.
>> Hula 'Auana: 6 p.m. Saturday.
Time to be Merrie
as Miss Aloha Hula
graces the stageTickets hard to get
It's a special spark that sets a Miss Aloha Hula candiate apart from other dancers. The Merrie Monarch competition opens with the search for this rare solo performer who embodies the spirit of the dance.
The Big Island's Johnny Lum Ho has trained six Miss Aloha Hula winners since the 1980s, with his last winner, Natasha K. Oda, taking the title in 2001.
Last year's award went to Hula Halau O Kamuela's Malia Ann Kawailanamalie Petersen. The school lost one of its kumu hula, Paleka Leina'ala Mattos, a month after the competition. Under Mattos and Kunewa Mook, the halau grew to dominate the wahine portion of the competition. All eyes will be on them this year to see how the school carries on the tradition.
Here is the lineup and the dance they will perform:
| NAME | HALAU | HULA KAHIKO | HULA 'AUANA |
| Ka'enaalohaokau'ikaukehakeha Aoe Hopkins | Halau I Ka Wekiu, Honolulu | "Kahikiklani" | "Pua Laha'ole" |
| Annie Matsumoto, Pukalani Hula Hale | Pukalani, Maui | "Aia Ia 'O Pele" | "Pohai Kealoha" |
| Wendee Hualani Lim | Halau Kealakapawa, Honolulu | "Makalapua" | "Ke Anu O Waimea" |
| Gabrielle Kamalamalamaonalani Yamashita | Halau Hula 'O Kahikilaulani, Hilo | "Ua Nani 'O Wailuku" | "Hi'ilawe" |
| Meali'i Kapiko | Halau Mohala 'Ilima, Ka'ohao, Oahu: | "Hana Waimea I Ka 'Upena A Ka Makani" | " 'Aia Pikake" |
| Kara Leonani chow | Na Hula 'O Kaohikukapulani, Hanapepe, Kauai | "Ka Oli Laua'e Ka'u Aloha" | "Ka Beauty A'o Ha'ena" |
| Brooke Kealahou Takara | Halau Hula 'O Kokulani, Central Oahu | "Mele No Na Pali" | "Medley O Ni'ihau" |
| Chrissy Noelani Kama | Halau O Ka Ua Kani Lehua, Hilo | "O Hina Ka Wahine" | "He Nani Kekaha" |
| Shelsea Lilia Makanoe Lindsey Ai | Halau Hula Olana, Aiea | "La'iekawai" | "Wailele 'O Akaka" |
| Lauren Teani Kahiwahiwa Buchner | Keolalaulani Halau 'Olapa 'O Laka, Heeia, Oahu | "Lele Ana O Ka'ena" | "Ka'ena" |
| Sheena Makahilahila Lino | Halau Ke Kia'i A O Hula, Honolulu | "Kauiliua I Ke Anu O Wai'ale'ale" | "Mi Nei" |
| Hi'ilelokalani Costa | Ka Pa Hula O Kamehemeha, Kapalama-Uka, Oahu | "Pua I Lehua I Ka Makani" | "No Ke Aha No 'Oe" |
| Jennifer Kehaulani Oyama | Halau Na Mamo O Pu'uanahulu, Honolulu | " 'O Kauhike'imakaokalani" | "Ka Manu Kikaha 'Olu" |
| Laura Leiali'ioKalanihekilimakaniilunaonapali Mano'i | Ka Pa Hula O Kauanoe O Wa'ahila, Honolulu | "Kahiko Ka 'Ohu I 'Iao" | "I Waikapu Ke Aloha Ka Makani Kokoiolio" |
| Cialyn Thara Kawahineikuilaikau'i Broclic Kukona-Pacheco | Kano'eau Dance Academy, Lahaina/Wai'ehu, Maui | "Hanohano Wailua Nui A Ho'ano" | "Ka Wahine Lewa I Ke Kai" |
| Melanie Lehua Kim | Hula Halau 'O Kamuela, Waimanalo/Kalihi, Oahu | "A Kona Hema O Ka Lani" | "Uaianipili I Ka Nani O Papakolea" |
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