Each year is different.
Special, unique, but similar in one way.
The one thing in common is the thrill of experiencing something new.
“It’s exciting. But they’re all exciting,” said Kumu Hula Leinaala Pavao Jardin Wednesday at the Lihue Airport, as she and 28 dancers prepared to board a flight to Hilo to compete in the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival. “Every year feels like the first time.”
The Kalaheo-based hula halau will be participating in the festival starting today on the Big Island. Ka Lei Mokihana O Leinaala is the sole representative from Kauai.
The dancers excitedly chatted, snapped pictures and talked about their routines as they prepared to make the trip, all clad in yellow shirts.
“These shirts were presented to us by Uncle Rupert Rowe of Na Kaneiolouma heiau in Poipu,” said Anolani Higashi, a first-year participant. “Our kahiko number, which will be performed Friday, is about the Kaneiolouma heiau. All of us have the shirts.”
Higashi said there are seven dancers who will be performing for the first time with Kumu Leinaala — herself, Chara Bucasas, Denise Karratti, Kim Frasco, Breeze Pavao, Taelor Sagucio and Lauren Calhoun.
Of those, Bucasas and Karratti danced with Kumu Hula Kuulei Punua.
“Everything we’re doing is Kauai,” said Bucasas, who has been dancing since she was 3 years old. “Aunty Kuulei had such a great impact with hula on Kauai, we’re paying tribute to her with this year’s Merrie Monarch presentations.”
The Merrie Monarch Festival is a nonprofit organization that honors the legacy left by King David Kalakaua. A highlight of the festival is an internationally acclaimed hula competition, as well as hula shows, and a grand parade through Hilo.
Bucasas, who remembers dancing at center stage at the Kukui Grove Center with Kumu Kuulei, said going to the festival is like coming full circle — from center stage to the Merrie Monarch stage. She said they’ve been practicing since October and the girls are prepared to do their best and do justice to the mele.
“This is my last year,” said Kaila Funaki, who has been to the Merrie Monarch with Kumu Leinaala for the past three years. “I’m graduating and going to college so this is my final year. It’s been so fun. Every year is so special and we’re just so excited to be able to share our stories and mele with everyone else.”
During the second year Ka Lei Mokihana O Leinaala appeared on the Merrie Monarch stage, the halau left with a fourth place in auana. The halau’s third appearance last year at the 50th anniversary of the Merrie Monarch saw the halau rise to a first-place award in its kahiko presentation.
The kahiko presentation will talk about the Poipu heiau complex which was unveiled last summer. The auana presentation, Saturday night, pays tribute to Kumu Hula Kuulei Punua, who recently passed away.
“Our auana is a medley of Kauai songs using hula implements,” Funaki said. “Aunty Kuulei always used implements in her hula.”
Nikki Ishibashi will represent the halau during the Miss Aloha Hula program which will open the hula presentations today.
“It is an honor to be selected,” said Ishibashi, who has been dancing since the halau formed. “I’m excited, like all the other dancers who will be going, and I feel so appreciative of my hula sisters.”
The festival will be televised. Nikki Ishibashi is No. 3 in the Miss Aloha Hula program and should be on between 6:15 and 6:45 p.m. Thursday, while halau is No. 23 so will be appearing later in the evening on Friday (for kahiko) and Saturday (for auana) around perhaps 9:30 or 10 p.m.
• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
