DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Kano'eau Dance Academy wahine, under the direction of kumu hula Ke'ala Kukona, from Lahaina/Waiehu, Maui, performed yesterday during the kahiko portion of the Merrie Monarch Festival.
Visitors catch
Merrie Monarch
rehearsalsTickets sold out months ago
for the actual competitions
HILO » Hannah Shiroma's cherubic face stares up at the pounding bare feet and slender legs of several kane dancers from Halau I Ka Wekiu rehearsing yesterday for their Merrie Monarch performance.
The young, bare-chested dancers from the Honolulu halau are oblivious to the 6-month-old infant held high by her mother, Irene, while husband Takeshi stands nearby, taking digital pictures of their daughter's close encounter of the Merrie Monarch kind.
A few moments later, the baby flails her arms, then lets out a wail that echoes through the rustic Edith Kanaka'ole Tennis Stadium. Mom retreats to calm the crying baby.
The family is visiting from Osaka, Japan. The Shiromas, including Hannah, each wear this year's dark green Merrie Monarch Festival T-shirt, and the child's diapers and formula are carried in a Merrie Monarch tote bag.
"We weren't able to get tickets for tonight, so we say we go to a no-charge rehearsal day and get real close if we can," Irene said yesterday.
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Halau Ke Kia'i A 'O Hula kane, under the direction of kumu hula Kapi'olani Ha'o, from Kapalama, Oahu, performed yesterday during the kahiko portion of the Merrie Monarch Festival.
The festival, which began Thursday and runs through tonight, changes the normally laid-back Hilo to an economic boomtown, with filled hotels, unavailable rental cars and packed restaurants.
For the 10th consecutive year, Merrie Monarch tickets for each night of the three competitions sold out months ago. Still, people come hoping to get a seat.
John and Linda Adams, of Los Angeles, drove more than two hours yesterday from a Kohala coast condominium hoping to snag a pair of tickets for last night's kahiko, or ancient dance, competition. There weren't any, and they were rebuffed in offers to pay four times the face value to ticket holders.
"Well, it was a beautiful drive," said Linda, laughing.
Ticket prices range from $5 to $25 depending on the seat location and the number of days attending.
The Adams instead watched several halaus rehearse during the afternoon in the nearly empty stadium. They joined mostly Japanese visitors also unable to get tickets.
"This seems better because we can have our pictures taken with them when they finish rehearsing," said Lucy Iwanaga, of Tokyo. "Hilo needs a larger stadium, I think."
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Halau Keali'i O Nalani wahine, left, under the direction of kumu hula Keali'i Ceballos, from Los Angeles, performed yesterday during the kahiko portion of the Merrie Monarch Festival.
Merrie Monarch week also features craft fairs and hula demonstrations throughout the city. Radio deejays broadcast welcomes to visitors and special events.
Wednesday night's free hoike (show) -- featuring noted kumu hula Johnny Lum Ho's Hilo halau, and Tahitian and Maori dancers -- attracted more than 2,200 people, forcing some to stand in the aisles. The concession that sells the official Merrie Monarch T-shirt nearly sold out its 2,000 inventory at $12 each.
Richard and Victoria Kellar, of Vancouver, Canada, visiting the Big Island to see Kilauea Volcano, purchased eight shirts Thursday night for family and friends.
"These are the most colorful, unique, least expensive and best-made shirts I've ever seen," said Richard, who scored two Miss Aloha Hula competition tickets from his bed-and-breakfast owner.
Thursday night's Miss Aloha Hula contest was followed by last night's kahiko (ancient) hula competition, with halaus from Hawaii and California performing. Winners will be announced tonight after the auana, or modern, dance competition. KITV will broadcast the event live starting at 6 p.m.
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Halau Na Lei Kaumaka O Uka wahine, under the direction of kumu hula Napua Greig and Kahulu Maluo-Huber, from Kula, Maui, performed during the kahiko portion.
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Halau O Ke 'A'ali'i Ku Makani wahine, at left, under the direction of kumu hula Manu Boyd, from Kaneohe, performed yesterday during the kahiko portion of the Merrie Monarch Festival.
