Big Island Vacation Guide 2009 - (Page 34) The Art of Hula Before language, there was hula, where the eyes and hands tell a story. Formerly a tool to communicate history and legends, hula is now a distinct art form synonymous with Hawai‘i. You’re sure to encounter this graceful dance during your stay. If you’re brave enough to get up and join the dancers, be sure someone in your party has a camera handy! The Merrie Monarch Festival, considered the world’s premier hula event, is held every year in Hilo. The weeklong festival features both kahiko, ancient hula (before 1820), and ‘auwana, modern hula (after 1915). Here are some hula events happening on the island. Volcano Art Center’s Na Mea Hula Kahiko – January, March, May, June, August, October Part of the center’s series of traditional hula and chant performances. 967-8222, www.volcanoartcenter.org ‘Iolani Luahine Hula Festival & Hula Scholarship Competition – February Held in Kailua-Kona, this event honors Hawai‘i’s legendary cultural historian and hula master ‘Iolani Luahine with performances and films. 935-3461 The Birth of Aloha Merrie Monarch Festival – April (follows Easter) This is the world’s premier hula competition. 935-9168, www.merriemonarchfestival.org He Launa Aloha No Ka Mo‘i Kalakaua – April ¯ This event will feature hula, singing, ‘ukulele playing, storytelling, food and crafts. 933-9772, www.poshfestivals.com/ HeLaunaAlohaNoKaMoiKalakaua A mere 800,000 years old, Hawai‘i is the youngest and largest of the Hawaiian Islands. And this special island is still growing. Kı ¯lauea volcano has been pouring lava since 1983, continually adding acreage to the island. The diversity of landscapes and climates here more resemble a small continent than a large island. Paradise Found Islands after a series of long and bloody battles. He was born in 1758 in North Kohala, located on Hawai‘i Island’s northernmost tip. Reminders of his rule are located all over the island. In 1880, a ship carrying a statue of him sank on its way from Germany to Hawai‘i. The statue was later recovered and now stands in Kapa‘au, near the king’s birthplace. Malama Punalu‘u – August Observe Queen Lili‘uokalani’s birthday with hula performances, Hawaiian music and craft demonstrations. 929-8334, www.malamapunaluu.org He Hali‘a Aloha No Ka Queen Lili‘uokalani Festival – September Enjoy hula performances by worldwide hula halau (schools). 961-8706 Moku O Keawe International Hula Festival – November Held in Waikoloa, the Moku O Keawe Hula Competition invites halau from around the globe. 886-1655, www.mokuokeawe.org For a complete list of festivals and cultural events on Hawai‘i Island, visit www.bigisland.org/calendar. Events subject to change. 34 www.bigisland.org A Hawaiian legend tells the story of the volcano-goddess Pele battling the demi-god Kamapua‘a over Hawai‘i Island. The two eventually made peace and divided the island into two parts: the Hilo side and Kona side. Sometime around the third or fourth century, Hawai‘i’s first settlers arrived from Polynesia in large outrigger canoes, navigating by the stars. Western contact occurred when Captain James Cook, a British explorer, dropped anchor off Kealakekua Bay in 1779. A monument in Kealakekua Bay marks the spot where Cook met his demise during the skirmish with the inhabitants. Hawai‘i Island ‘Ohana The first missionaries began arriving on the island of Hawai‘i in the early 1800s. Some of the island’s churches are reflections of this period. By the mid1800s, Hawai‘i Island’s sugar industry was developed, mostly by descendants of the early missionaries. During the late 1800s, the island’s sugar and pineapple industries attracted immigrants from China, Japan, Philippines and Portugal, as well as other Europeans. 50th State of Aloha King Kamehameha I Later known as Kamehameha the Great, this ruler united the Hawaiian In 1893, Queen Lili‘uokalani, Hawai‘i’s last reigning monarch, surrendered her throne to pro-American forces. Five years later, the United Stated annexed Hawai‘i and a territorial government was formed. In 1959, Hawai‘i became the 50th state of the nation, the Aloha State. King Kamehameha Statue. BIVB http://www.volcanoartcenter.org http://www.merriemonarchfestival.org http://www.poshfestivals.com/helaunaalohanokamoikalakaua http://www.poshfestivals.com/helaunaalohanokamoikalakaua http://www.malamapunaluu.org http://www.mokuokeawe.org http://www.bigisland.org/calendar http://www.bigisland.org
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