Hālau enters Merrie Monarch Competition for first time in 39 years

ah the excitement is building for this year's merry Monarch Festival as performances begin tonight with h night our mahani Richardson and kahi Tucker are in the middle of the action and join us live from the Edith kanaka Ole Stadium Aloha guys Aloha sta great to see you uh we.

Made it on this wonderfully cool and sometimes damp Wednesday evening here in Hilo the house music just started up about a minute ago and all kinds of people behind us let's step aside and have a look you know the people have been waiting here for ho since yesterday afternoon kiah I saw them sleeping they were eating they had their tents just so.

Much excitement people are waiting to see Hala Oki and they're also waiting for a tribute for aapo and this is the night where it's first come first serve so it's uh everybody all kinds of people coming to take advantage of this night where you just wait in line and walk in for free it's no big deal and here we are people finding their seats now we.

Are very blessed to get some insight tonight from an expert in Hawaiian language and dance and music and culture monob boy monoy is one of the co-host he's been a commentator off and on for 25 years and here's his man of the marry Monarch Festival last year Agnes Renee leaa e poo Maka thonis Brown of Kala.

No of Winward Oahu took home miss aloh hula their third soloist win and the Hala took home overall winner of the festival co-host Manu boy says the traditional training by naumu Tracy and kave Lopez a husband wife team makes them standouts their expertise in ol Hawaii as Educators and promoters and also performers the music uh.

Musicianship is outstanding they have a certain foundational integrity and energy The Academy of Hawaiian Arts from Oakland announced it's thrilled to return to the Mary Monarch Festival after an 8-year Hiatus I think Mark hu brings uh a different kind of energy especially because they're from the.

Continent they're from California uh but their Precision is uh is is is tremendous and a lot of the judging in marry Monarch has to do with Precision for hello from Moi will be honored at the festival for their perseverance after the laa and Kula wildfires it really shows the the warrior Spirit of Maui and of all of all Hawaiian the four.

Halo R Hal Nal kakaa under the direction of Kuma Silva of Kula Hal underu and Ilah of H hula Kulu Okala under kumu U Guerero of kului and Halo okahu Lea under kumu.

Carlson kamaka Kona III of wuku waap I think it also helps to helps them to get through uh these difficult times because hoola brings an energy that affects the dancer and also affects the audience and in this case will really uh be a a beacon of of light also notable this year Community leader kumula Vicki Hol takam who's been a longtime marry.

Monarch judge is bringing her hello Pua back to the merry Monarch stage for the first time in 39 years when you are uh experienced as both a former competitor and then years and years and years of being a judge of adjudicating and really looking at all of the fine finite details Tes of the hoola um I can't wait to see her Boyd.

Says he can't wait to see them all at the marry Monarch festival and we certainly share that sentiment Vicki takamina says she's got her Merry Monarch eyes on and she believes that's what gives her a Competitive Edge so many people are going to be watching her Hal for sure it's great to understand the layers of.

Meaning it really enriches the whole experience I think not just for the Hal but the spectators as well understanding how special it is this year and it's also special I have to say for the Shoppers oh yeah the vendors the craft fair it was crowded body to body today and uh people got to get the goods right you got to get there early before.

Everything sells out and then plan to spend some time actually waiting in line uh there's no such thing as just Waltzing in and in and out you got to dedicate half your day to this and you also have to say aloha it's like a reunion here at Mary Monarch absolutely okay a quick review so tonight is H it's all just fun watching the dancing from.

Different groups tomorrow the competition begins with moha hoola and then after that the Hala the group dancing uh kahiko on Friday night aana on Saturday night and then we'll find out who wins the contest uh probably 1:00 a.m. Sunday uh we're going to put on the coffee that night for sure hello everyone reporting live from Hilo.

Stephanie back to you

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