2015 Merrie Monarch Winners- Hula Kahiko (Wahine Division)

Highlights of the 5 top finishers in the 2015 Hula Kahiko (ancient), Female (female) Division.

1st Place: Hula Halau O Kamuela
Dance Teachers: Kau'ionalani Kamana'o & Kunewa Mook

"Kilauea Heights and Mountains"
This story was told by Mokemanu and printed in Ka Loea Kalaiaina, in the year 1899. The Pele family arrived at Hi'iakanoholae in Kona, Hawai'i. Moving forth from Mauna Loa, Pele declares Halema'uma'u her home and
names it Kīlauea. Pele then establishes the divisions of Kīlauea and renames the low-lying plain of Kīlauea as Kapiko'owākea, a term used in traditional astronomy and geography to mean the terrestrial and celestial equator.

2nd Place: Halau Na Lei Kaumaka O Uka
Dance Instructor: Napua Greig

"Manono"
"E Manono" was written to commemorate Manono, wife of Kekuaokalani. She was known to fight alongside her husband. Manono and her husband led our people, who still believed in the traditional kapu system, into battle to defend their religious beliefs, world views and way of life. In this song, the burden of life and war is made light of and balanced by the strength and intensity of love.

3rd Place: The Youngest Day Of Pain
Dance Instructors: Tracie & Keawe Lopes

"Queen of Cape Town"
This hula ʻolapa is a hula noho ʻiliʻili honoring Kapi'olani, queen consort of King Kalākaua. Queen Kapi'olani was the daughter of high chief Kinoiki Kekaulike, who was the daughter of Kaumuali'i, the last King of Kaua'i
and Ni'ihau. Queen Kapi'olani is honored here with sentiments that refer to heavenly associations including this particular puana "Nou ē ke ahi pi'o i ka lewa. Yours is the rainbow arched on high."

4th Place: Halau Na Mamo O Pu'uanahulu
Dance Instructors: William Kahakuleilehua Haunu'u “Sonny” Ching & Lópaka Igarta-De Vera

"Here I Am My Love"
Pele advises Lohi'au to search for Hi'iaka on the island of Oahu at the court of the chiefess Pele'ula. At the behest of Kānemilohae, Lohi'au remains outside and listens for Hi'iaka's voice in chant. During a pause in her chanting he takes up the last line and completes it, thus beginning a series of back and forth chanting between them. Hi'iaka seeks him out, and it is there, beneath the milo tree where he is waiting, that the two are finally reunited.

5th Place: Hālau Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniākea
Dance Teacher: Cloud Dalire-Moe

“There's a Beautiful Cloud”
In 1883 Mrs. Edwin Harbottle Boyd composed this mele lei for Queen Kapi'olani. The imagery of ʻahihi in full bloom woven by the Ki'owao wind and made complete with makahala blossoms is a tribute to the skill of the
composer. Beautifully described is Nu'uanu and its surrounding area, all brought to mind in this lovely song.