The week after Easter on the Big Island of Hawaii marks one of our largest festivals on the island called the Merrie Monarch Festival. This is named in honor of King David Kalakaua, who brought back the traditional dance of hula to his people during the victorian age and christian missionaries, who shunned this public display of skin and "sexy dancing". King David was a pure believer of Hula as a beautiful form and primary means of communication and enjoyment. It is a large part of his people's heritage and should be shared by his people in all its forms.
This annual celebration spans an entire week marked with the main hula competition, the Merrie Monarch Parade, art exhibits, dance demonstrations, crafts fairs and everything Hawaiian. People from all over the islands, the mainland, and many international countries come to the Big Island, just to see this event and share in the aloha of its people. Every event is filled with travellers and admirers of the hula. Visitors come to enjoy the dance, comraderie and feel the (mana) spirit of this magical craft.
The main event is the Merrie Monarch dancing competition of the hula halau's ( hula dancing troups) coming from Hawaii and around the world that have been doing this competition since its inception. It is an amazing venue to be in, with everyone tightly packed in shoulder to shoulder, intense lights and a loud boisterous crowd. Music is typically played with amazing live bands, live chanting, celebrity performances and even group participation in many of the chants and lively sing-a-longs.
The entire audience is deadly silent at the start of each performance and captivated by the swaying, and hypnotic dances unfolding and in the end the entire auditorium stands at their feet, shouting cheers at the top of their lungs with teary eyed adjulation for each and every performance.
I'll be writing about some of these special moments and amazing events that happen during the week in upcoming posts. It truly will give you a better idea about why living here in the Big Island of Hawaii is special, including her people.
To view other worlds for Thats my World Tuesday, go visit http://showyourworld.blogspot.com/
Posts
Nice info and visual data to back it up. One would imagine that photographer doesn't run outta object to shoot in your beautiful islands. Saw few travel docus from there. This is nice add.
ReplyDeleteThank You! 'til next time; Aloha! (:
It sounds like a great event and a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteWhat, no wisteria in Hawaii?
What a wonderful event. Your island is as amazing as it is magical.
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos!!!
ReplyDeleteI love bright colors!
What a lively festival! And I love its name - Merri Monarch. I heard this was a holiday in Hawaii (was that on Friday?).
ReplyDeleteMarvellous post. How wonderful it must be to attend the festival.
ReplyDeleteIt all sounds wonderful, and your photos are great. Thanks for taking us along to the festival.
ReplyDeleteMarvelous photos, Noel! And what a wonderful festival! I like the Merri Monarch, too!! Thanks for sharing the fun! Hope your week is off to a great start! Thanks for your visit/comment -- always appreciated!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
That sounds incredible, and I love the warm pictures that go along with the text.
ReplyDeleteI want to come there! For this festival. A perfect My World post; thank you for sharing. Great picture essay.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful and colorful shots.
ReplyDeleteThat was a great virtual trip to your world.
ReplyDeleteLove the shots, very colorful and vibrant with life.
I really enjoyed reading all about the upcoming festival. In all my trips to the Big Island, I never timed it right, to be able to attend the Merrie Monarch festival. Once I was able to watch a live stream on my computer, and that was exciting. In my teens, I took Hawaiian and Tahitian dancing for 11 years, so I really love the music and the lore that goes with the dances. I look forward to reading your posts, during the festival.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. I didn't know of the annual hula festival but have always loved the grace and beauty of the hula dancers. It would be marvellous to see so many dancers all at once. Aloha and have a blessed Easter.
ReplyDeleteEverything about Hawaii is soooo beautiful, Noel! Thanks for sharing with us! :)
ReplyDeleteWould be a great festival, with lots of hula dancing and flowers with lots of happy people.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter to you.