[Hawaii's Schools]
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Hula dancers T HE SLEEPY TOWN of Hilo wakes to the chanting of dancers each Easter Sunday on Coconut Island. It is a yearly ritual to begin Merrie Monarch week.
nourish native art
Preparing for Merrie Monarch
week takes a deep commitmentModel U.N. program hones debate and lobbying skills
ABOUT THIS PAGE
YOU ASKEDBy Tiffany Pavao
Hilo High SchoolHalau, schools of hula, come from as close as the backyards of Keaukaha to as far as the other big island -- Japan -- to be part of the weeklong festivities. Hula dancers, crafters, musicians and lei makers come together to show their talent and share in the perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture.
Merrie Monarch is the Olympics of hula, attracting halau from all over the world who come to win or just to be a part of the festival and to say that they have danced on stage at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium. Tourists and kamaaina are bombarded with things to do and see.
Besides the free daily hula shows at the hotels, there are numerous crafts for sale and a free show on Wednesday where halau from Japan, New Zealand and even Hilo's own Halau o Kekuhi have been known to give crowds stunning performances.
At the Merrie Monarch parade, it is not unusual for the musicians by the judging stand to entertain the parade-goers when there is a lull in the parade. They also have been known to call out to an old friend in the crowd and play a song for them, and soon there is a kupuna dancing hula on the median strip as cars slowly pass.
BUT DESPITE the festive atmosphere, for the hula dancers this is not only a serious competition, but the culmination of a year's worth of hard work. And for some it represents a lifetime of dedication.
"I've been dancing hula constantly since I was 5 years old," said Vanessa Adams, a Hilo High senior and haumana from Halau Hula o Kahikilaulani. The average age of dancers is 18, although dancers can compete in Merrie Monarch from age 13.
Despite the many halau in Hilo, only three planned to compete: Halau Hula O Kahikilaulani, kumu hula Ray Fonseca; Halau O Ka Ua Kanilehua, kumu hula Johnny Lum Ho; and Halau O Ke Anuenue, kumu hula Glenn Vasconcellos.
Hilo High students can be found in all three halau, and in spite of their differences, these three halau work extremely hard at practice to perfect their dances so that they can represent Hilo and their halau positively. They must balance this with their schoolwork, their jobs and their family time.
Adams said, "To win ... it takes a lot of dedication, teamwork and faith."
PRACTICING FOR Merrie Monarch means doing the same song 500 times and perfecting every detail.
"Every little thing, even down to a little hand gesture, has to be perfected," said Hilo sophomore Lianne Hirano of Halau O Ke Anuenue.
By the second day of practice, the dancers are expected to memorize every single word of both their 'auana (modern) and kahiko (ancient) numbers. Practice days range from two to seven days a week, depending on the kumu hula.
When dancers grow up dancing in one halau, they tend to become extremely close to their kumu hula and their "hula sisters" or "hula brothers."
"Even though I haven't been dancing as long as some of the other girls, we still share unity by being so comfortable with each other," said Kahanu Adviento, a senior dancing with Halau O Ke Anuenue.
In some halau it is a ritual to share certain things with all members of the halau, including the kumu hula. When preparing for Merrie Monarch, the relationships become even closer between the 'olapa (dancers) and the kumu hula. Practices then become more than just practicing hula, they become life lessons.
MANY SACRIFICES come with being part of a halau. Every halau requires commitment and dedication.
"Merrie Monarch is all about being dedicated to practice and working together with patience," said Kimberly Quintal, a senior dancing with Halau O Ka Ua Kanilehua.
When dancers reach the level where they are allowed to compete, the commitment becomes even greater, not only because the practices are so often, but also because hula is sacred and some halau have rituals the dancers must follow. For example, Fonseca follows a ritual during the preparation for Merrie Monarch that mandates members of his halau do not smoke, drink or have sex. This is what is considered kapu.
When Merrie Monarch goes into full swing, the competitors need to learn the mana'o (knowledge) of their dance, chant and attire. Their kumu hula gives them information on exactly what they're dancing about. If the dances deal with the Big Island, the halau travel to the mountain, volcano or other site where their song takes place in order to get a feel for their songs. If they were doing a number on Pele, practicing at the volcano would bring more meaning to their dance.
When they know what they're dancing about, it shows on stage.
As the applause dies down and the last dancer leaves the stage, the kumu hula sit back and dream of next year's performance, and the dancers continue to balance school, family, work and halau.
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Hilo High is unique because it, together with the Hawaii Island Chapter of the United Nations Association, hosts the only high school model United Nations program in the state. Model U.N. program hones
debate and lobbying skillsBy Chad Ahia
Hilo High SchoolIn a model United Nations, students act as ambassadors from various nations in simulations of U.N. bodies, such as the General Assembly and the Security Council. Most students form delegations composed of several students.
As ambassadors the students must carry out their individual nations' foreign policies and objectives in debates on topics ranging from the African AIDS epidemic to xenophobia.
"This is a unique opportunity for students to engage in an extracurricular, educational program that fosters social responsibility while participating in discussions of international public policy," said Donald Memmer, the Model U.N. adviser.
Students must carry out extensive, multifaceted research on the nation they are representing, the other nations represented and the issues of debate. They must also become familiar with parliamentary procedure.
"Getting down parliamentary procedure is the hardest," said James Cogo, the current deputy secretary-general.
"If you want your delegate to be the best, you have to get in the library and research," said Travis Nakayama, a former model ambassador representing Japan.
Students from Hilo High have in the past averaged about 60 hours of research and sessions learning parliamentary procedure. The effort has paid off, with Hilo High students winning a major citation each year for their debating and lobbying skills, as well as their in-depth knowledge of the debate issues. Many of the students have gone on to use those skills and knowledge to pursue college majors in government, economics and international relations.
"My communication and lobbying skills have really come in handy at collegiate model U.N. conferences and in daily life," Nakayama said.
On April 20, Hilo High will host the Model U.N., simulating the General Assembly. High school students from around the Big Island will attend, debating the inclusion of a verification protocol to the Biological Weapons Convention, the discontinuation of the use of multilateral economic sanctions and the addition of Taiwan as a voting member.
Each participant must write a policy statement on the issues outlining their represented nations' positions, give a formal opening session speech and actively debate the issues, lobbying other ambassadors to vote for various resolutions.
But Model U.N. isn't purely academic. "It's also about meeting lots of people from different schools," said Cogo. "We don't just talk policy the whole day."
The Model U.N. program on the Big Island was founded five years ago by state Rep. Helene Hale, Dr. Ellen Bonaparth and Dr. Jim Wilkinson, the former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Security Council. It has continued with the fiscal support of the Hawaii Island United Nations Association and various private donors, as well as the technical support of Don Moriwaki.
Moriwaki is a Hilo High alumnus who helped organize several Model U.N. programs in Europe, including the Hague Model United Nations program, which continues to set international standards for Model U.N.
"It hasn't been too hard so far," Memmer said. "We just hope to put on a good, sound simulation, that's all."
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ABOUT THIS PAGE
Each week, Hawaii's teenage reporters and photographers tell us about their high school. This week's school is Hilo High School.
Newspaper: The Viking
Editor: Chad Ahia
Faculty adviser: Cathy Ikeda
Next week: Lutheran High School
Hilo facts
Address: 556 Waianuenue Ave., Hilo, HI 96720
Principal: Katherine Webster
Founded: 1906
Mascot: Viking
Colors: Blue and gold
Oldest building still standing: Makai A building (built in 1922)
Vision: E kulia pono I ka nu'ui, "striving righteously for excellence"BACK TO TOP
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YOU ASKED
What are the advantages of living in Hilo?
Jessica Bondaug
Freshman
"The Big Island people are so friendly, and it has beautiful kick-back places like the beaches and parks."Rodney Augustin
Senior
"Only here can you surf and snowboard all in one day."Gena Villaruel
Junior
"Everything moves at a slow pace, and no one rushes you. There's hardly any terrible things happening. It's the best place to live."Melissa Yamanaka
Senior
"The people in Hilo know the true meaning of aloha."Lyndsey Borges
Sophomore
"In Hilo, everyone knows everybody."Kauhane Castro
Sophomore
"The local girls, just living in paradise, and the nice green plants."Makayla Rasmussen
Junior
"The short drives."Kawika Sebag
Junior
"The beaches and the Big Island girls."Kirk Kunimoto
Freshman
"Living near the ocean."Joshua Ravey
Senior
"Nowhere else in the world can you find blue skies, warm waters, cool rain and beautiful people."
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