Halau Ke Kai O Kahiki seeks to “three-peat,” as overall winners, at the 48th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival. The three-day event, held in Hilo, Hawaii, begins on Thursday, April 28th with the Ms. Aloha Hula competition. On Friday, kahiko (traditional hula) is judged and Saturday exhibits the ‘auana (modern hula) dancers and the awards ceremony.
The highly-regarded dance group is headed by kumu hula O’Brien Eselu (an original cultural contributor, and choreographer, for ‘Ulalena) who, recently, paid a visit to the cast and employees of the Maui Theatre:
“I was crying, you know, sitting over here. I look at the show and how it’s evolved. Gang, when the audience gives you a standing ovation, that’s what we entertainers live for. You got to their heart, their na’au. Being a performer is who we are. Onstage and offstage, it’s who we are.”
'Ulalena Original Cast Member: Kipe Ebana
Kipe Ebana, an ‘Ulalena, original, cast member, will join Halau Ke Kai O Kahiki at this year’s competition. It will be his 7th Merrie Monarch appearance with the group. His first time was in 1983, at the age of 13. He, also, participated in the 2004 competition when they won first place for men’s kahiko. Ke Kai O Kahiki was the “overall” competition winner in 2009 and 2010.
Ebana detailed his training regime with Eselu: “I’ve been flying to Honolulu, twice a week, for hula practice. Only six to eight of the boys from our halau will compete. Both of the mele that we’re performing, this year, honor the island of Kauai.”
At the Maui Theatre, Eselu shared stories of working with owner Roy Tokujo, producer Roger Parent and the experts responsible for the Hawaiian content in ‘Ulalena.
He worked alongside Charles Ka’upu (chant instructor), Nalani Kanaka’ole (chants and hula) and Lyons Naone III (Hawaiian martial arts or lua). They were guided by two kupuna (elders), Auntie Nona Beamer and Auntie Irmgard Aluli, who helped put the show’s cultural value beyond reproach.
O’Brien affirmed, “You guys: know that you have a good show. Know that there’s no other show, in Hawaii, like this. They try… just try – they cannot.”