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Merrie Monarch Hula FestivalThe and Hawaii ... Travel Ezine, dated 04/20/01, by Lisa Weber
++++ In this Issue ++++ 01. Title Article - Merrie Monarch Hula Festival 02. Travels deals - hotels on Oahu and airfare 03. Hawaiian Word - halau 04. Hawaiian article - Oahu hotel reviews 05. Website - Ekahi Ohana Aloha everyone. The university teachers have settled - the public school teachers are still on strike. Whale season is drawing to a close (only lasts till about May), and the super bowl of Hula is in full swing. -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ 01. ---The Merrie Monarch Hula Festival--- The Merrie Monarch Hula Festival is going on in Hilo right now. Called "The Super Bowl of Hula", it is not so much a festival as it is a celebration of Hawaiian culture and expression through dance. The local appreciation is astounding: hotels are full to the brim (mostly residents from other islands), streets are packed, and moods are light. The festival starts on the Wednesday after Easter every year in Hilo. It is comprised of four nights of dance competitions, a parade on Saturday, and local arts and crafts fairs. Hula Halaus come to compete or dance from all over the world - mostly other islands, plus the mainland and even from Mexico this year. The festival is named after King David Kalakaua, the last King of the islands, who was called the Merrie Monarch for his love of dance and music. While he reigned, public displays of hula were brought back for the first time since it had been banned by the missionaries. The first festival was in 1964, some say as a way to increase tourism to the area - but no one appreciates the festival more than the residents. We're not talking swaying grass skirts - we're talking stories told through chants and dancer's movements, complemented with stunning costumes of ti leaves, muumuus, flowers, and leis, to a backdrop of flowing music. http://www.thehawaiichannel.com/hon/sponsors/stories/sponsors-73118720010419-110403.html The Miss Aloha Hula winner was crowned last night. Her name is Natasha Kamalamalamaokalailokokapu`uwaimehanaokekeikipunahele Oda, and she is the first Miss Aloha Hula from Hilo in 13 years. http://gohawaii.about.com/travel/gohawaii/library/weekly/aa041801a.htm About.com's page on this year's festival http://www.hawaiianlinks.com/hl/MMhula.html*** must see for anyone unfamiliar with traditional hula Great pictures of last years dances. http://www.merriemonarchlive.com/ View archives of past festivals online http://www.thehawaiichannel.com/index.html KITV4's homepage - they are the sponsor channel ALOHAGOODIES.COM - - Aloha and welcome to your internet source for Hawai'i treats, snacks and gifts! Now, no matter where you are, they're easy to get. -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ ---Internet Travel Deals Watch--- ** check the web sites for details and restrictions --------------------------------------------- http://www.aston-hotels.com/call_propertydisplay.cfm?propertygroupid=25587&operatingcompanyid=5 Aston Aloha Surf Hotel in Honolulu, $68 a night. --------------------------------------------- http://www.travelscape.com/hotdeal_detail.cfm?ID=2039& Ohana Waikiki Hobron, $62 a night --------------------------------------------- http://www.worryfreevacations.com/wf/wf_hmNavigation?aid=wvcstatc&pageCode=redhotdeals&ssc=rhddetroit Detroit to Honolulu, airfare plus room from $591 --------------------------------------------- http://www.hawaiianvacations.org/spring_specials.htm Spring specials from mainland cities --------------------------------------------- ---Hawaiian Word of the Week--- halau - (ha lau) (lau rhymes with cow) - long house, as for canoes or hula instruction Above is the traditional meaning; today, halau means a hula school or group 04. ---Hawaiian Article/Information Watch--- http://hawaii.epinions.com/lodg-Accommodations-North_America-All-United_States-Hawaii-Oahu Oahu Hotel reviews by real people, including the Royal Hawaiian, Hilton Turtle Bay, Sheraton Moana, and more. 05. --- Hawaiian Website Watch --- http://www.ekahi.com/ Ekahi Tours Maui travel information … and for anyone interested in Hawaiian culture, you should sign up for their newsletter at http://www.ekahi.com/subscribe.htm . It comes once a month. I got my first one last week, and it was a fascinating story about the history and uses for Hawaii's good luck plant, the Ti plant. Have a story or a question you'd like to share? E-mail me at ezine@andhawaii.com . Until next week, Lisa. http://www.andhawaii.com |
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