DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
The winner of the 2008 Miss Aloha Hula competition was Kalimakuhilani Suganuma of Keolalaulani Halau 'Olapa O Laka, a Kaneohe halau. She narrowly beat out first runner-up Kapalai'ula de Silva from Halau Mohala 'Ilima in a tie-breaker.
|
|
Oahu wahine wins
Suganuma is named Miss Aloha Hula '08 in a tie-breaker
[
Watch the slideshow ]
HILO » In unusually close competition, Kalimakuhilani Suganuma of Keolalaulani Halau 'Olapa O Laka, a halau in Kaneohe, was named Miss Aloha Hula last night at the 45th annual Merrie Monarch Festival.
First runner-up was Kapalai'ula de Silva from Halau Mohala 'Ilima, daughter of kumu hula Mapuana de Silva.
The two dancers had the same scores, 1,130 points, which threw the competition into tie-breaker rules.
Suganuma, who also won the Hawaiian language award for her chanting, performed a well-received "Kilauea," a mele composed by Mary Kawena Pukui, during the evening's auana or modern segment of the competition.
The other top finishers were Julie Afong, Halau Na Mamo O Pu'uanahulu, second runner-up; Aureana Tseu of Hula Halau O Kamuela, third runner-up, and Kristy Ann Perez-Kaiwi of Ke Kai O Kahiki, fourth runner-up.
Two of the evening's earlier contestants, Leonani Naho'oikaika and Naomi Klein, won over the audience with their performances.
Buoyed by a strong opening chant, Naho'oikaika danced "Kalakaua Ia Kapi'olani," a mele that revealed the king's love for his wife.
Last year's second-place finisher, Aureana Tseu of Hula Halau O Kamuela, put in a solid performance in honor of Pele, "Nani Wale Ku'u 'Ike O Ha'ena."
This year's competition saw the return of kumu Sonny Ching's Halau Na Mamo O Pu'uanahulu.
During hula kahiko (ancient), the halau's Afong confidently chanted and danced an original mele of hers, "He Aloha Halemano," which told how the eldest sister of Halemano, Laenihi, brings her love-devastated brother back to life through ritual and prayer.
A SIREN'S CALL
Merrie Monarch features Miss Aloha Hula event DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Naomi Pi'ilaniho'omalamalamaokalani Klein danced during the kahiko portion of last night's Miss Aloha Hula competition on the first night of the 45th annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo. Klein, from Puka'ikapuaokalani Hula Halau under kumu hula Ellen Castillo, played up the seductive siren call of the mermaid of "Ka Momi Hili O Nalu." Written in 1926, the mele tells of the legend of the watery creature who sometimes appears on a rock between Makaweli, Kauai, and Niihau.
|
|
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Julie 'Ilikea Afong of Halau Na Mamo O Pu'uanahulu, whose kumu hula is Sonny Ching, danced her hula kahiko last night at the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo.
|
|
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Kapalai'ula de Silva, above, and Aureana Kamali'io'iwalani Tseu, below, performed last night during the kahiko portion of the Miss Aloha Hula competition.
|
|
