Introducing Miss Aloha Hula 2007, Keonilei Ku'uwehiokala Kaniaupio Fairbanks!

[KamaAina]

This is not a beauty pageant. It's part of the Merrie Monarch hula festival, continuing through Saturday night (almost 'til dawn back East) in Hilo, Hawai'i, on the Big Island. It is also not the hula you saw in your hotel lobby (if you've been here, that is); it is a traditional art form sacred to native Hawaiians and dedicated to the goddess Laka.



For Miss Aloha Hula, each halau (school of hula) sends out its best wahine (woman) dancer to perform solo in both kahiko (ancient, literally 'Tahitian') and 'auana (modern, meaning post-European contact) styles. 'Auana dress (pictured above) runs more toward flowing gowns than grass skirts, which are seldom seen even in kahiko nowadays.

Tonight, the action gets serious, as the full halau (around two dozen dancers on stage at once) compete in hula kahiko. Then tomorrow, the action concludes with 'auana night, after which the overall winners will be announced. As always, streaming is available at:

http://www.thehawaiichannel.com

but be advised that coverage begins at 6 PM HST; that's 9 on the Coast, 11 in New Orleans, and midnight back East.

edit: fixed link

[GoddessOfGuinness]

1. I may try to watch that...

I'm really interested in Hawaiian culture. Thanks for the tip! :hi:

[KamaAina]

2. Be sure to use the right link (with www)

http://www.thehawaiichannel.com

edit: D'oh!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

3. Thanks!

It's midnight tonight? Or is it midnight tomorrow night?

[Rabrrrrrr]

4. A good friend has been in involved with that for a long time

I never had a chance to go see it, but she always had fun. She hasn't done it the last couple years, though.