Ke Alahou, Volume I, Number 6, 1 Mei 1980 — Hula Judges at the Festival [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hula Judges at the Festival

by Adeline Nani Maunupau Lee

Basicallylhe foundation and success of all Hawaiian cultura! festivities is the generous support of concerned individuals, the cpmmunity at large, the backing of governmental agencies, fund raising projects and financial assistance from many sources. Though organization is the key factor needed to conduct an island wide entertainment festival, it also must be saturated with the "aloh 1 ?" spirit" by the organizers, contestants. judges and thegeneral public as patrons, , Here is where the individual support is shared by the six hula judges working as a team under the guidance of myself as official 198D head judge. Prospective judges are nominated by the kumu hula entering the hula contest and the festival eommittee, however. the final selection and approval is done by the Merrie Monarch ehaimian and coordinator, Dottie Thompson and George Naope. All judges are selected for their teaching experienee first in the traditional hula, then in the auwana, but most important by being fair and objective during the three evening cultural evetūs. Last year. the contest sheet had 12 categories with a total perfect score of 48 points, This year a deletion was made and only 9 categories showed the highest score of 36. To be a hula judge for the Menie Monarch Festival one must have stamina, knowledge of the hula, a good working attitude ( and an appreciation for the art itself. However, there are other qualities that make up a hula judge, whieh so many people imagine as "ducksoup M jobs or an easy job and not abig thing, For these people. let me share with you our heelie schedule and' the qualities they demand. Be in good heallh, to withstand the the meetings s the eonferences, not to mention the contest itself, Have good eyesight with or without glasses to see every performer from the back to the frqiit row, Be available for"on the site M team survey fo contest faci!ity, three days prior to <sontest. Keep open schedule forchainiian and coordinator to conduct breakfast or luneheon meetings. Plan on a half hour or less luneh break during kumu hnla interviews for two days, Be prompt and ready for scheduled intervievvs and evening contests. Have a drivers !icense to shuttle judges to and from contest site, Attend all other arts in aeiuin

programs during the day, whien available. Complete seclusion from all halau(s). No fraternizing or socializing with any kumu iiuia pripr and up to judging events. Attend the royalparade 011 Saturday moming, and receptions.. V . But most of all enjoy the Merrie Monarch Festival, meet new friends, have fun, with a smile and carry your aloha spirit everywhere. These are just the highlights in the week fo a Merrie Monarch Judge, and you ean ask any past judge to give you their, unique experiences at this annual event. The Merrie Monarch Festivgl is growing larger and better eaeh year and we must all support it in whatever manner we ean! To George and Dottie. keep up our neh cultural heritage. Mahalo e an halau hula o Merrie Monarch Festival.

Halau Mohala Ilima, Kumu Hula: Mapuana de Silva. Hula Kahiko: "Ku I Wailua/ Ka Pou Haie. C.K. Lee photo