In Hawaii, a week after Easter Sunday, the most venerable annual hula celebration and competition, The Merrie Monarch Festival is held. This began in 1964 and has evolved into what is now universally considered to be the world's most prestigious hula competition.

The Merrie Monarch Festival is a week- long of festivities, exhibitions, musicals, and arts. Both hulas are performed- the Kahiko (ancient) and Avana (modern).

How I have said before, Hula is Hawaii's spiritual language. People and children learn Hula in schools called Halaus. Because Hawaiian dance is performed at celebrations, parties, and also competitions, it is a great representation of the traditions and culture of hawaii. Hulau consists of a teacher, a leader, some helpers and finally the dancers or students.

     Hula, or Hawaiian dance, is the spirit of Hawaii. If you don't know this dance you don't really know Hawaii. It is a lifestyle that binds us to nature and land. Hula was born as a way to adore the gods. It is accompanied by instruments that help keep the rhythm of dancers. Traditionally, pumpkins, bamboo canes and sticks are used to create music. Drums are made of pumpkin and most of the time two are used together. Today, guitars and bass are used to add depth to the sound and enhance rhythm.

You cannot dance Hawaiian without music. Musical pieces are generally chosen by their rhythm, but sometimes the lyrics take an important role. I want to share this beautiful Tahitian song titled "Fakateretere". 

I think this song acknowledges women's beauty and compares them to nature. Both have power to give life and also their beauty cannot be compared with anything.

FAKATERETERE

Fakateretere

Fakateretere

Na tokerau e

Toku piko haga

I na ruki e

 Viru viru maua

Taku moe haga

Ua kite au te maragia

Taku kahaia iti e

 Ua peke O te ragi

Ki ruga I toku kaiga

 Horo horo

Tamariki

Ki ruga ki ruga

I te piriga

FAKATERETERE

Blowing

Blowing

the wind from the north

during my sleep

last night

 She is so pretty

in my dreams

I saw this beautiful girl

my little plant (meaning flower)

 Flying in the sky

above my homeland

 Running running

children

above above

the (solid) earth

Following is a link of dancers performing to this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUQuI8qu8Rg&feature=related