Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 25, Number 6, 1 May 2008 — Postcards from Alilo [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Postcards from Alilo

Phūtūs aūd story by Blaine Fergerstrūm / Ka Wai ūla staff (/ Hilo eame alive in early April, transforming from a sleepy little town into the center of the hula universe. The 45th annual Merrie Monarch Festival welcomed thousands of hula fans from across Hawai'i and the globe to Hilo to enjoy the spectacle. Ka Wai Ola was there, and presents for our readers' enjoyment some of the sights and sounds of Merrie Monarch against a backdrop of Mauna Kea and Hilo Bay. I

NĀ HANANA - EVENTS

' Top right, Unele George Na'ope, resplendent in red, held court outside the Edith Konoko'ole Tennis Stodium. Center olso in red, Kolimokuhiloni Akemi Kolōmonomono Suganuma captured the title of Miss Aloho Hulo in o runoff with, center right, Kopolo'iulo ele Silva in ki skirt. Below them in the bottom row, left to right, lulie 'llikeo Afong, lanelle Emolio Pōhoinoniokouonoe Chong onel Kristy Ann Ku'uipou'iokoloni Perez-Ka'iwi compete in the kahiko portion of Aloha Hula. Top left, a whispy hula dancer emerges from Halema'uma'u shortly before Aloha Hula competition began. Second, Hōlau Nō Mamo '0 Pu'uanahulu dances and chants "Hi'ilawe" in view of the twin falls of Waipi'o Valley. Third, Ka Ua Kani Lehua marks the triumphant return of Johnny Lum Ho to the Merrie Monarch on Ho'ike night. Fourth, the Merrie Monarch craft fair is a huge draw, annually, with nō mea Hawai'i of every description. Left, niho manō weap- I ons on display. Right, Pōhaku Kaho'ohanohano of Maui hanel weaves pōpale lau hala.