Tag: kanaka

Merrie Monarch week brings artists from all over Hawaiʻi to share their beautiful creations. Hawaiʻi Island’s own Manaola, shared new fashions but also an aloha for home.

“For me, I find my inspiration from here, on Hawaiʻi Island because it’s my home.” says Manaola.

Manaola, as a hula practitioner, also draws inspiration for hula from this special place.

“So we thought it appropriate to perform. Our first opening piece that we did was pertaining to the mauna. Especially because of what’s going on right now with the “kū kiaʻi mauna”…. Showing our support in a different way, although we can’t be on the mauna, we chose to do it in a way that we know how. And that’s through the hula.” says Manaola.

“Our hula is a way to stand and support the efforts. It’s a way to raise awareness about our beloved mountain.” says Nāmakana Davis-Lim.

Other hula practitioners in Hilo for Merrie Monarch made their way up to Maunakea to share this similar sense of aloha.

“Maunakea is the piko for our island of Hawaiʻi and we can all play a part in various ways to mālama aku.” says Nāmakana.

The original post can be seen here with video of the event.