The hula world converged on Hilo, Hawai'i April 12 to 18 for the 46th annual Merrie Monarch Festival, a week full of hula, music and arts, and the most prestigious hula competition in the world. Ke Kai O Kahiki of Wai'anae, O'ahu (kumu O'Brian Eselu) won the overall, kāne overall and kāne kahiko titles with a thrilling hula kahiko, "Tū "Oe", a mele ma'i for Kaualiliko'i in a hula 'ohelo style rarely seen today. Hālau Nā Mamo O Pu'uanahulu of Honolulu, (kumu Sonny Ching) won the kāne 'auana, wahine overall and wahine 'auana divisions. Hula Hālau O Kamuela of Waimānalo and Kalihi, O'ahu, (nā kumu Kau'ionālani Kama'o and Kunewa Mook) won the wahine kahiko division. Miss Aloha Hula 2009 is Cherissa Henoheanāpuaikawaokele Kāne of Hālau Ke'alaokamaile of Wailuku, Maui (kumu Keali'i Reichel). E ola mau ka hula! – Photos by Nicholas Masagatani; Slide show music Pili O Ke Ao by Kūpaoa.
