Hula Halau at BII Marathon makes it to the Super Bowl of Dancing

Hālau Nā  Pua ʻO Uluhaimālama 

Entertainment for Friday evening’s carb loading dinner was provided by Hilo’s own Hālau Nā Pua ʻO Uluhaimālama – a dance company directed by “local boy” Emery Aceret – who welcomed contestants from around the world to the windward side of Hawaii’s Big Island with hula danced in both traditional and modern styles and accompanied by chants and song.

The name of the dance with the hats is “Kuʻu Papale,” which means…  “My Beloved Hat.”

Hula Hat Dance was a Big Hit

Kylie Andaya

 

Some younger members of the company also served as presenters at Sunday morning’s awards ceremonies. Over the last weekend in April of this year, Emery and his dancers will appear for the first time as competitors in the annual “world series of hula,” the Merrie Monarch Festival, also held here in Hilo but broadcast live throughout the islands on television and around the globe on the world wide web.

  The Big Island International Marathon host an all you can eat pasta dinner on the Friday before the marathon, half marathon and 5K.   The cost is $20 in advance or $25 at the door and the fantastic hula halau will once again perform at the 2012 event.

For more information on the menu go to www.hilomarathon.org or mail in your checks to BIIM, PO Box 11211, Hilo, HI 96721.

Seating is limited and the performance alone is well worth the price of admission.