Merrie Monarch 2006

Countdown to Big Fun Weekend in Cowtown: 3 days!!!

Wow, I haven't written for so long that I almost forgot how to do it. Thanks for keeping things alive on here, Sarah.

I had a Romans 7 moment today. So that you don't have to pull out your Bibles, I'll paste the text here. I call it a Romans 7 moment because it is something I did and then almost immediately realized I was wrong. I have been very mean and hurtful to a friend today. As Sarah and Kelly and Danielle all pointed out, it isn't necessarily wrong that I felt hurt by this person, but I was much too harsh in the way I handled it. I am normally pretty passive-aggressive so it was a bit out of character for me to create so much drama. Yes, this person did something for me to be frustrated about, but now I have to figure out how to restore the relationship somehow. You can't take back words once they've been said so even though I know I may be forgiven, my ugly words will probably not be forgotten. Has this been vague enough? I love the idea of a blog but I am not comfortable with full public disclosure.

17But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! 18I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. 19I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. 20My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. 21It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. 22I truly delight in God's commands, 23but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. 24I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question? 25The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.

Quick note for the few of you readers out there that aren't also contributors - Kelly's absence is due to the fact that she is playing good teacher this week and participating in a media fast with her seniors. That means no TV, no music, no text messaging, no blogs, etc., etc. So, Kel, you'll have to let us know how it was when you return to us on Thursday.

Now for some hula education:

Congratulations to Bernice Alohanamakanamaikalanimai Davis-Lim (pictured), Miss Aloha Hula 2006, and to the wahine (women) of Na Lei O Kaholoku (na kumu hula Nani Lim Yap & Leialoha Amina), the overall halau winner. I only watched about a third of the live streaming coverage this year as I have to actually get up and be functional in the morning. With the 5-hour time difference between St. Louis and Hilo the event was running until 4 a.m. each night. I tried to record the live stream from thehawaiichannel.com - I got the correct software and did a successful test run - but it was encrypted or protected in some way so I guess I'll have to buy the DVDs when they come out.

I thought Bernice was beautiful and was probably the right choice to win Miss Aloha Hula, although there were several others that were wonderful as well. I think it is fairly well understood that coming from a certain family or halau can only help your chance at success, so Bernice had that going for her since she is a member of the extensive and talented Lim clan. Still, if you watch the videos of her performances, you will see she was quite deserving. I may have been a bit biased as she based both of her hulas on the story of the beautiful snow goddess Poliahu, and she used one of my favorite Hawaiian mele (songs), Frank Hewett's "Poliahu," for her 'auana (modern style hula). I tend to really enjoy the very tragic, romantic, and dramatic hulas, like Moanike'ala Nabarro this year and Rashanti Kiana 'A'ali'i Ka'awaloa last year.

There were some interesting competitors from the mainland this year - halaus from Carson (CA), Oakland, and Dallas, and a Miss Aloha Hula dancer from Alaska. None of them placed but it was good to see some representation from outside of the islands. I'm certain there is some prejudice against the mainland dancers, especially the halau from Oakland. The kumu is Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu, the same guy that did the music for Lilo & Stitch, and he is considered the black sheep of the hula world. He and his dancers are dedicated and talented, and he has a great respect for the history and culture of hula, but he is a bit too inventive for the hula old guard.

It was also fun to see the kane (men) from Rich Pedrina's halau, Halau Hula O Napunaheleonapua. Kumu Rich is the one that will be leading my halau for three days of instruction while we are in Hawai'i. Also, just for the chance for us to socialize with a Hawaiian halau, we will be helping out at a fundraiser for his halau. It is a very big deal that Kumu is willing to take us on for the week - the trip is worth it just for that.

Which reminds me, we had 3 people drop from the trip after the deadline. So....anyone want to go to Hawai'i in June? Let me know.