Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 32, Number 5, 1 May 2015 — 2015 Miss Moha Hula winner [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

2015 Miss Moha Hula winner

Dynamic ūunlap takes the Hawaiian Language anel overall soloist awards

By Francine Kananionapua Murray The already high level of energy in the room at the 52nd annual Merrie Monareh Festival soared as Jasmine Kaleihiwa Dunlap, of Hula Hālau 'O Kamuela under the instruetion of Kumu Kau'ionālani Kamana'o and Kunewa Mook, performed her powerfully visual hula kahiko - "He Kau No Hi'iakaikapoliopele," a

ehant for the youngest sister of Pele, Hi'iaka. Aeeording to the mele, Hi'iaka returns from Kaua'i with Lohi'au, Pele's lover, only to find Pele has destroyed Hi'iaka's beloved lehua grove. As Dunlap moved aeross the stage you eould see through the vibrant danee what Hi'iaka saw - Kīlauea ■ spilling over

S with lava, earthquakes, turm moil and so mueh more.

If you ean imagine, it seemed as though all 5,000 people in the audience sat silently wide eyed and focused as Dunlap eommanded their attention throughout her perfor-

manee starting with her oli - loud, clear and melodic.

Dunlap's expresf sive chanting and command of the language was so spot

on, she easily won the Hawaiian Language

Award, a $1,000 cash prize presented by Chair Robert Lindsey of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. When Dunlap took the stage for the 'auana portion she was a stunning vision in a long flowing red gown. Through movement she erupts into the passionate tale that is "Hōpoe." This modern hula elaborates on Dunlap's earlier hula kahiko. The story tells of how Hi'iaka makes her fiery sister promise not to damage

the lehua groves or harm her love, Hōpoe, before she went to get Lohi'au from Kaua'i for Pele. However, because the journey is so long Pele fears Hi'iaka and Lohi'au have heeome lovers and in her jealousy she destroys the lehua. The Goddess Pele then turns her fury on Hi'iaka's beloved, and covers Hōpoe with lava. Swelteringhotand fiercely dynamic,

Dunlap's combined performances of praise for Hi'iaka were astonishing and she gracefully took the 2015 Miss Aloha Hula title. "E ola mau Kona Ho'oilina. His legacy lives on," said Luana Kawelu, president of the Merrie Monarch Festival. "King David La'amea Kalākaua's vision was to restore many Hawaiian cultural traditions that had nearly vanished. We seek to follow the foundation he laid for us." The annual festival, and performances like Dunlap's, have helped to raise the respect for the Hawaiian culture in the eyes of the world. ■

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Aunty Luana Kawelu, second from right, congratulates kumu hula Kunewa Mook, as Jasmine ūunlap receives her award for Miss Aloha Hula. - Photos: Fiancine Murray

Wearing a flowinc red dress, Jasmine ūunlap performed a modern hula ^ describing the passionate tale of "Hōpoe."

Dunlap's hula kahiko told a turbulent tale of love and jealousy.