Merrie Monarch hula streaming tonight through Sat.

[KamaAina]

Stream starts at 6 PM HST (=9 PM PDT, midnight EDT) at:

http://www.thehawaiichannel.com

This isn't the hokey hula you might have seen in your hotel lobby (if you've been here) but the authentic, ancient Hawaiian art form.

Tonight: Miss Aloha Hula; one woman from each of 16 halau (hula schools) dances both kahiko (ancient) and 'auana ("modern", actually from the late 19th century) hula.

Friday: Kahiko night; the full halau, both men and women, compete in the ancient discipline (chant, grass skirts, gourd drums).

Saturday: 'Auana night. Again, the full halau, but in 'auana the kumu hula (head of the halau) can get more creative with dress and instrumentation.

A treat not to be missed. Aloha!

[clyrc]

1. Ive been gone 16 years and still I miss Hawaii

Two of my teachers in High school were Kumu Hula('s?). In my last year, I took a class in conversational Hawaiian, and I got to see some traditional Hula, plus twice we had a Luau where the Hawaiian mixes brought traditional food which was heaven. I loved that class, and I was the only Haole in it.

No one wants to hear my Hawaii stories, now, but I loved the place so much and the four years I lived there will always be with me.