Miss Aloha Hula credits the spirit of the classic romance she danced

Before taking the stage, Bernice Alohanamakanamaikalanimai Davis-Lim of halau Na Lei O Kaholoku closed her eyes in meditation.

Top finishers, Miss Aloha Hula The other top finishers for Miss Aloha Hula at the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo on Thursday night: Second place: Makalani Franco-Francis of Halau Na Lei Kaumaka O Uka from Kula, Maui, who performed "He Mele No Kihawahine" and "Umia Ka Hanu I ka La'i A ke Aloha" Third place: Kapalai'ula Kamakaleiakawainui de Silva of Halau Mohala 'Ilima from Ka'ohao, Oahu, who performed "'Ahia" and "Umia Ka Hanu I Ka La'i A Ke Aloha" Fourth place: Ka'enaalohaokau'ikaukehakeha Aoe Hopkins of Halau I Ka Wakiu from Honolulu, who performed "'Oni Ke Kula O Kama'oma'o" and "Mele No Ka'ena," and also won the Hawaiian Language Award Fifth place: Tatiana Kawehiokalani Miu Lan Tseu of Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka La from Honolulu, who performed "Mele O Ke Ke'ena Kalaunu" and "Ho'ola Lahui Hawai'i"

She felt the spirit of a love-lorn ancient Hawaiian chiefess enter her. As the music started, she breathed deeply and opened her eyes, and from that point Thursday night, the Kohala dancer was the clear audience favorite to win the 2006 crown of Miss Aloha Hula at the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo.

Wearing a pure white dress and dancing with poised restraint, Davis-Lim often drew Beatlesque screams from the audience as dancers from other halau watched with rapt expressions.

Davis-Lim's first production was "Ho'ohiki Pili Aloha," a tale of unrequited love in ancient Hawaii that took place in Kohala. She danced to a minimalist metronomic beat that contrasted with the often grandiose music from other performers; she revved it up near the end.

Her second selection, in the auwana department, was Kawaikapuokalani Hewett's aching "Ka 'Eha A Kealoha," another love song.

Although Miss Aloha Hula is a solo award, it's a family affair. Na Lei O Kaholoku kumu Nani Lim Yap and Leialoha Amina are Davis-Lim's aunts; Amina's skills as a land-title researcher uncovered many stories about Kohala that touched the hearts of the halau, and Yap has coached Davis-Lim since she was a child.

"She's a veteran at solo hula," said Yap. "At 13 she won Miss Hula na Keiki on Maui. We'd actually been planning to take a little break from competing this year, but Bernice felt so strongly about this that we went forward.

"We love doing the research in creating a dance, to carry on the kahiko tradition. We always try to pick meles from where we come from, in Kohala. My sister finds the land documents that contain the background for the meles, and then we create the spiritual side and let that guide the creation.

"Our ancestors help us along. ... We feel truly guided."

It is not quite the classic hula epics of Hiiaka and Lohiau -- ancient Hawaii's version of Tristan and Isolde -- but there was an elegant simplicity and visual metaphor to the tale of Kohala's legendary chiefess Poliahu that appealed to the Kohala halau.

As the legend goes, Poliahu falls for Aiwohikupua, a chief from Wailua, Kauai, just as he is taking his leave of the Big Island. Aiwohikupua is so smitten that he wants to marry her immediately, but that is not to be. As symbols of their love, they exchange cloaks, his of feathers and hers of snow, which can be seen today nestling the high peak of Mauna Kea.

"I loved the story from the moment I first read it," said Davis-Lim. "I was consumed. I couldn't stop reading everything I could about Poliahu. It's such a good story."

"I was raised in Kohala. It's where my parents and grandparents are from. It's a very special place to me," said Davis-Lim. "When kumu Leialoha stumbled on the story of Poliahu, who was from Kohala, we knew it was a story we had to tell, because it wasn't well known."

Research provided names and places, and Davis-Lim made it a point to visit each site to absorb the area's energy.

"It helps your imaging to know exactly what happened, to walk where they once walked, as if they are walking through you."

This intense preparation made the performance an emotional experience.

"I didn't even see anyone in the audience. Apparently, my sister was right in front of me. I closed my eyes, and a presence took me to a different realm entirely. It was like Poliahu wanted to bring her story to life; it was playing like a movie in my head," said Davis-Lim, her voice still full of wonder the day after. "It was like I was meant for this purpose."

Her dress was as purely white as the driven snow, and that was on purpose. It represents the mantle of mountain snow that symbolizes Poliahu's love. Because of the traditional aspects, Davis-Lim preferred the kahiko portion of the competition, but thinks Kawaikapuokalani Hewett's lovely song "Ka 'Eha A Ka Aloha" was also perfect, because -- naturally -- it's about Poliahu.

"This is all very much about Poliahu," said Davis-Lim. "After I left the stage, I was grasped and told I did her justice, that Poliahu was very proud. But I knew, I knew. A weird chill went through the auditorium, telling us she was present -- it felt like a misty rain."

Davis-Lim, a hotel telephone operator in nonhula life, negotiated a leave of absence, would like to travel a little to share her hula but conforms she will always return to Kohala. Even during the Merrie Monarch, she and her aunties commute each day to Hilo from Waimea.

"Waimea is such a cute little town, it wraps around me like a warm blanket," said Davis-Lim. "It's like stepping back 10 years, to a time of no worries."

Davis-Lim was still in the afterglow of her performance and overwhelmed by shrieking noise from other contestants when it sounded like she had won third place. Pushed toward the stage, she dreamily accepted the drum trophy. "I was walking down the ramp, and they announced the actual name of the winner.

"I thought, wait, that's not my name. Oh my God! Then they came and said, 'Uh, that's not yours.' I freaked!"

She was recalled to the stage for the top honor a few minutes later. It will make a good story for her grandkids. Maybe not as good a story as that of Poliahu, but these are modern times.