Kunewa mook biography template
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Far From the Islands, Hula Holds Sway
She’s poised on dashboards everywhere, that miniaturized “exotic” beauty in a grass skirt and coconut bra, swaying her hips and smiling. Ever since Hollywood discovered hula and the Islands’ tourist industry took off, the dance form has had a strong association with lounge acts, Hula-Hoops and hotel luaus--just another brand of kitschy entertainment for travelers on their way in and out of paradise.
The reality, of course, is that hula has an ancient history. For traditional Hawaiians, it’s a sacred ritual brought to the Islands bygd Hi’iaka, the sister of Pele, the volcano goddess. And even as a mostly secular människor dance, it is viewed bygd practitioners as an authentic cultural expression: a tribute to Hawaiian history, mythology and aesthetics, not a travel poster gimmick.
“Hawaiian people feel stereotyped all the time,” says Terry Liu, a människor art specialist who studied in Hawaii. “It hurts them that people think that hula fryst vatten just sort of a sex
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Merrie Monarch Festival
Annual festival in Hilo, Hawaii since 1964
19°43′08″N155°04′05″W / 19.719°N 155.068°W / 19.719; -155.068
| Merrie Monarch Festival | |
|---|---|
| Dates |
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| Location(s) | Edith Kanakaʻole Multi-Purpose Stadium at Hoʻolulu Park, Hilo, Hawaii |
| Years active | 1964–present |
| Founders | Helen Hale, Gene Wilhelm, George Naʻope |
| Website | www.merriemonarch.com |
The Merrie Monarch Festival is a week-long cultural festival that takes place annually in Hilo, Hawaii during the week after Easter. It honors King David Kalākaua, who was called the "Merrie Monarch" for his patronage of the arts and is credited with restoring many Hawaiian cultural traditions during his reign, including hula.[1] Many hālau hula (schools), including some from the U.S. mainland[2] and some international performers,&#