Hula troupe stages
Merrie Monarch
preview
Halau Mohala Ilima will
polish its performance at
the Hawaii Theatre
"We don't have secrets," de Silva says, laughing. "It's so close to Merrie Monarch that it's too late for other halau to make any significant changes by copying us."
That's true, because the hula schools participating in the annual Hilo festival, considered the Olympics of hula competition, began rehearsals months ago.
"If we don't have the dancers learn all the routines before Christmas, there's a certain anxiety that sets in," said de Silva, whose halau, with 27 consecutive Merrie Monarch appearances, holds the record for participation. "Things can start to deteriorate when people are on the edge, tired or grouchy. Sometimes you start thinking more about 'me' than 'we.'"
So there's a pragmatic reason why de Silva is having her wahine dancers -- and a few kane -- staging a major performance less than two weeks before competition begins.
"Having a performance so close to Merrie Monarch really helps the dancers," the soft-spoken kumu says. "The more exposure they have dancing the dances for Merrie Monarch, the more comfortable they are when they get there.
"They're less nervous even if they have been there before."
And this year, they all have.
Halau Mohala Ilima will have a few kane, and 18 wahine dancers -- each with two to 12 years at the Hilo event -- at Saturday's show. There are about 300 dancers in the halau.
De Silva estimates that about 60 percent of the halau's dancers have been members five years or longer. Several are 15-plus-year veterans.
"The Hawaii Theatre concert is harder for (the troupe) because it'll be the first time they've danced these dances, even when it's something they feel they know," de Silva says. "To present it in this form and at a new venue is different.
"Oh, they feel the pressure to be really good."
There's another, more understandable issue.
On stageMerrie Monarch sneak preview featuring Halau Mohala Ilima under the direction of Mapuana de Silva, at left, with 'Ale'a and Holunape:Place: Hawaii Theater Time: 6:30 p.m. Saturday Tickets: $18 and $28, available at the Hawaii Theater box office and from halau members at 261-0689
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Kahiko will comprise the first half of Saturday night's performance, with 'auana in the second half.
De Silva choreographs routines she believes are important for continuing Hawaii's oral history tradition, which she wants her students and future kumu to learn.
"You choose by context the words," she says. "It's important as a trained kumu to create new dances for significant things of our time so this period in history can be documented in chants, which is what all Hawaiian chants are, oral histories."
De Silva describes her choreography as having "no frills, no innovation, no new steps."
"I've said this before, but our path follows the footsteps of our kupuna directly to some of the most traditional hula," she said.
The halau's first practices focus on the "basics" of the dances, she says.
"We need to know that early so that worry is gone," de Silva says. "Then it's the mechanics, then the (Hawaiian) words."
Halau members must pass three written tests before they can "get on that stage," she says.
"Perfection is knowing the words."
Halau students learn Hawaiian language and Hawaiian values. Her "hula rules" aren't subject to compromise.
"Shirts have to be tucked in," she says. "Belts must be worn if there are belt loops on the hula shorts."
De Silva sets goals for the audience as well.
"I want everyone -- the audience and dancers -- to have a grand time," she says. "I want the audience to want more and the dancers to contribute to the tradition of hula and the greater community."
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