One of the wonderful aspects of watching the Merrie Monarch hula competition every year in Hilo is seeing the beautiful flowers the dancers wear. Adorned with intricate leis in vibrant hues of red, orange, green, and yellow, dancers wear leis around their wrists, ankles, necks, and head.
What do the flowers mean and why do different dancers wear different colored flowers? Hula dancers wear three different types of lei:
lei po‘o (head lei)
lei ‘a‘i(neck lei)
kupe‘e (lei for wrist and ankles)
Every hula dance tells a story. That story, whether it be about a person or event, dictates the flowers that will be used in the lei worn by the dancers. The kumu hula (hula teacher) takes many factors into consideration when deciding which flowers to use in a hula.
Some plants are considered sacred to particular gods or goddesses and are used to represent that deity. For example, ‘ie‘ie and maile are considered sacred to the hula goddess Laka, while lehua flowers from the ohia tree are considered sacred to Pele, the volcano goddess. If you see hula dancers wearingred lehua flowers, then you know their dance is in reference to Pele. However, red and yellow lehua (mamo) are significant to ali‘i (Hawaiian royalty) and mamo also indicates offspring.
Photo by Denise Laitinen
Each Island is Represented by a Certain Flower or Lei
Flowers and the lei type can also represent different islands. For a hula about Queen Emma, a kumu hula might decide to have the dancers wear ‘ilima because Queen Emma was from Oahu and ‘lima is the official flower of Oahu. If the halau performing the dance about Queen Emma is from Hawaii Island, the dancers might wear neck leis made of ‘ilima with lei po’o (head leis) made of liko lehua to symbolize the halau’s connection to Hawaii Island.
Not Every Plant Represents a God, Royalty, or an Island
Plants such as a‘ali‘i and ti leaf don’t belong to any particular god, goddess, or island. One of the most common plants seen at the Merrie Monarch Festival is the ti plants. Considered a sacred symbol of the gods and an emblem of divine power, ti plants are seen as a symbol of protection against evil. It is used in the skirts worn by dancers performing kahiko or ancient hula.
A’ali’i plant with ti leaf plant in the background (Photo by Denise Laitinen)
Some Plants Are Chosen For Their Durability
Laua’e and palapalai ferns are usually worn by dancers around their wrists and ankles. The plants are hearty enough to withstand being worn by active dancers, and since the leis are made in the days before the competition, they are also long lasting. Palapalai also represents the goddesses Hi’iaka (Pele’s sister) and Laka.
A Celebration of Hula
Hilo town on the Big Island of Hawaii has had the honor to host theMerrie MonarchFestival since it beganin 1963.Hilo town comes more alive than ever during the annual presentation of this event.The festival is considered the world’s premier forum for people of all ages to display their skills and knowledge of the art of ancient and modern hula. Throughout the celebration, thousands of people in Hawaii and all over the world are learning aboutthe art of hula, as well as the history and culture of Hawaii.
Posted onin Big Island, Big Island,Education,Events,Festivals,Hawaii,Hilo,Hula,Lifestyle
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There are two types of plants used in traditional Hawaiian hula: plants used for the hula kuahu (altar), and hula adornment plants or lei. The native Hala pepe (shown here) is a hula kuahu (altar) plant found in our leeward dry forests. Other altar plants include maile, 'ie'ie, 'ilima, and ōhi'a lehua.
Pakalana. This seasonal flower—Chinese violet (Telosma cordata)—has tiny, yellow-green blossoms and a beautiful citrus-y fragrance. Since it's not available year-round, it's most often used for special events, such as the Merrie Monarch Festival. It usually blooms from April through September.
For example, 'ie'ie and maile are considered sacred to the hula goddess Laka, while lehua flowers from the ohia tree are considered sacred to Pele, the volcano goddess. If you see hula dancers wearing red lehua flowers, then you know their dance is in reference to Pele.
Clermontia is a genus of plants that evolved in Hawai'i and is found nowhere else in the world. They grow as small shrub-like trees on the six largest islands from about 600 to 6,000 feet in elevation, in cloud forests, wet and mesic forests, bogs and shrublands.
Merrie Monarch results 2024: Oʻahu hālau wins overall; Maui hālau earn honors with many paying tribute to Lahaina. 5 minutes. Article will play after ad... Ka Lā 'Ōnohi Mai O Ha'eha'e – Nā Kumu Hula Tracie & Keawe Lopes – Photo by Tracey Niimi / Merrie Monarch Festival 2024.
Kaʻōnohikaumakaakeawe Kananiokeakua Holokai Lopes was named this year's Miss Aloha Hula at the 61st Annual Merrie Monarch Hula Competition. Under the direction of Kumu Hula Tracie and Keawe Lopes from Halau 'Ōnohi Mai O Ha'eha'e, from Windward O'ahu, Lopes received an overall score of 1,164.
Yes, it is generally acceptable for non-Hawaiians to wear a lei. A lei is a sign of affection and is often shared with visitors to the Hawaiian islands as a warm welcome. However, doing so carries the responsibility of honoring its rich tradition and the culture it comes from.
Known for their large, showy blooms, there are several species of Hibiscus that are native to Hawaii. The yellow native Hibiscus, (Hibiscus brackenridgei) or 'ma'o hau hele' in the Hawaiian language, is the Hawaii State flower.
The primary plant used to make cordage was olonā, (Touchardia latifolia). In fact, this plant was so important to the people, it is the only endemic non-food forest plant to be farmed and cultivated by the Hawaiian settlers.
Ulana (woven mats) were made from lau hala (pandanus) leaves. Once split, the spine was removed and the leaves stored in large rolls. When needed they were soaked, pounded, and then fashioned into various floor coverings and sleeping mats.
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