Academy Of Hawaiian Arts (Kahiko Wahine), Merrie Moarch 2007

[sylina17]

i wish the quality was bettter. but i still love it :)

[ttinai]

everytime they perform I always wondered why they never place, they know how to bring the house down! lol 

[meilan888]

The Academy of Hawaiian Arts is heading to Southern CA for a special encore performance on Saturday, July 24th, 2010! If you live in the SCA area, you won't want to miss this show: For more information and tickets visit: ahahula.com

[Awehness]

academy of hawaiian arts number 1 In my book, I do not give a donkeys nut if it's tradtional or not

[manoarain808]

Kumu Hula Mark is kind of a radical to traditionalists of hula...which is NOT a bad thing. I think he is one of those Kumu Hulas that push the boundaries between tradition and progression. AHA is always a crowd favorite...I'm kinda disappointed that they did not perform the last two years. Hope to see them perform next year!

[manoarain808]

When I first saw the AHA perform on the Merrie Monarch...Kumu Hula Mark's chanting was sooo overpowering, people paid more attention to the chanting rather than the dancing. With this performance, the dancing was definitely more showcased than the chanting.

[cheerbrat77]

I don't think people who argue/defend their kumu are dumb. Everyone has their own perspective & opinion & have a right to share it. People like you probably don't know Mark & his reasons for doing what he does but it's okay to say things about him. Mark has a unique style that you say wasn't taught to him by Uncle Darryl but the reasons behind his style was encouraged by what Uncle Darryl told him. I'm Mark's sister & I'll argue when it comes to family, I won't shut up!!!!

[LOGAzyOUBEEZy]

It makes u look silly to argue against the opinion of others on behalf of your halau and your kumu. let people think what they want and learn to hold your tongue for the sake of your halau. it makes u guys look silly. dont get me wrong. i love the academy and kumu mark. and by the way.. your kumu has his own unique style that wasnt taught to him from uncle darryl.. MAHALO for your time :)

[LOGAzyOUBEEZy]

it makes u look dumb to argue on behalf of your halau and kumu. u make your halau look silly and out of respect for the academy of hawaiian arts you should just hold your tongue and let people say whats on their mind. not that i have anything against the academy. i think you guys are awesome. but u look silly. Another thing.. your kumu mark doesnt pa'i like uncle darryl. he has his own style that maybe has been encouraged by his kumu... but not at all what uncle darryl used to do.

[marvinthemonster]

this guys voice is so strong and powerful anything he dose shows that he puts his soul and mana into it

[amethyst48]

Anything Mark does is damn good, his voice seems to inspire his dancers to new heights, they are always good.

[wanumanu4u]

Those who dare to be different and evolve to be leaders of those only dreamed of the possibilities. Kudos to Kumu Hula Mark wish him much blessed success and may his heart beat for ever the rythm we so love in his meles and chants.

[HayanIpo89]

you tell em igisacoconutgirl!

[bboxqueen]

got me all chicken skin

[huka2008]

You gotta give Kumu Mark his props: He's got a powerful voice and a different style. I love it!

[igisacoconutgirl]

Wearin glasses is his thing-you can call is disrespectful if you like.. but you cannot dispute his ability to bring the mele to life. His glasses shouldnt be the issue-they do not effect the music or the dance. Yes the ipu on the bare floor can be frowned upon-but so was women dancing at one point- or showing skin- we can go on all day on what is bad form- to each his own. They have the heart to dance & share the aloha spirit- maybe you should remember why we all dance instead of being a critic.

[Intsikanoy]

AHA is always a winner to me !!! I hope they will perform again in 2010.

Did Kumu Mark break any rules and dishonor any hawaiian traditions?

I don't think so. Maybe those complaining should perform in the MMF next year. :D

[LitoPikoismine]

His voice is amazing.

[ClaireP1891]

I have a rather odd request: I have been trying to contact Kumu Mark for months now with no response. I've tried the halau email, his personal email, and leaving a voice message, but no luck. Please, if you are in contact with Kumu Mark or AHA, could you help me?

Mahalo for your time,

Claire Peckham

[misskanitha]

it very honestly depends on what the contact is regarding. I'm a class rep for AHA, maybe I can help you?

-Kanitha

[ClaireP1891]

Honestly, I think Kumu Mark and his halau is amazing. I really admire the precision and innovation in each performance, I look forward to watching AHA every year, they inspire me like no other halau :)

[hulaqte]

he may have a medical condition-like LaDainian Tomlinson,who wears darken visors approved by the football commission,for migraines- or ask Mark yourself if it really bothers you that much-

[misskanitha]

For the record, he doesn't have a medical problem, it's just his thing. He doesn't mean to be disrespectful by it, that's just how he rolls. =]

[hulaqte]

he is always wearing dark glass- he may have a medical problem...LaDainian Tomlinson had to get clearance from the football commision to have is football visor darken because of his severe migraines-do not judge what you dont know- bad taste

[kaholi]

To MOMO Merrie Monarch is not just for entertainment. To us hawaiians it is very important and it is such an honor to be on that stage. I admitt I like his numbers but it hurts to see him break our rules and dishonor the hawaiian culture. To PMOBLE911 I ageree with you. Ur ipu is to never be hit on the ground. You must always have a pale to pa'i on.

[misskanitha]

So, by not following a rule set by a MODERN day competition, we are dishonoring a culture? To each his own opinion. I'd like to see how you would have used a pale while standing. =]

[MOMOkinolau]

How modern do you think these rules are? I thought that Lono lives in the ipu heke. I don't think that he likes being pummeled into a hard floor, for that matter I don't think he likes being repeatedly hit on the head...oooh, did I open up another can of worms?

[misskanitha]

Once again, to each his own. He does what he was taught by his Kumu, and that's how he learned to pa'i.... So you'd have to take that argument up with Uncle Darryl.

[hula365]

back in the 50's black people could'nt vote, they had no rights so came the civil rights movement. so you mean to tell me by people changing/evolving how things were done to improve things is a dishonor? remember we all currently are doing things that were "never done before" does this mean we are all dishonoring our culture? we all need to continue to be tolerant. continue to learn, & grow!!!!

[deeplydeepali]

aya, quality not so good. seems to be skipping

[teriimataha]

Yes it was! you have better quality on Youtube of this Hula. Lets search ;o)

[pmoble911]

Who does he think he is wearing glasses on stage? Disgrace. And hitting the ipu on the floor?? No wonder why we doesn't win, because he gets all these points subtracted for doing all of these stupid and disrespectful things that go against all rules of the Merrie Monarch and Hula in general. He has some issues. DISGRACE.

[hulaqde]

you may be right pmobile911, but um, He DID do the Lilo and Stitch entry and soundtrack-chinky,sissy,snowbi­rd cant say the same-

[misskanitha]

Maybe our point isn't to win....

We obviously know we aren't going to place, but it's worth it just to share our hula. Thanks for hating. =]

[MOMOkinolau]

When asked (at a meeting with other kumu hula) why he had his haumana hit their ipus on the floor, he said "for entertainment value".

I agree that kumu mark is one of the most fun to watch and his voice is very powerful, but is hula mere entertainment, or does it go deeper than that. Just a question, that's all.

[DuttyGyal718]

this is awesome. Makes me want to shake my hula heiny!

[funkedafied143]

man AHA is amazing.. and kumu mark's voice is so powerfull

p.s. thats a lot of ipus haha

[Motusa]

I just LOVE this Halau and Kumu Marks voice. This is such a STRONG AND VIBRANT Halau and I always wait to see this Halau perform every year. AWESOME JOB TO THE HALAU AND TO KUMU MARKS.

Mahalo Nui!

[kaysa1970]

Kumu Hula Mark has a POWERFUL singing voice...the best I've ever heard so far...Kumu Mark you ROCK!!!!

[bdette55]

okay, i'm crying this man is remarkable and the performers brillant

[Eskimo1973]

Preserve!

I'm a €urasian with Indonesian/Chinese and European blood. My (sub)culture, originated by Dutch colonialism will eventually disappear and that's a fact disregarding how much I'd like it to remain. Stay who you are, keep your traditions alive. It's worth so much.

[R0malucy]

He mihi nunui tenei kia koutou e oku tuakana.

It warms my heart to see our beautiful elder brothers and sisters of the northern moana nui a kiwa in full flight .. i love it.

Gerome ( Aotearoa )

[zheran22]

I love Mark's voice...ahhhh

[flyinghawaiian9]

This was my favorite performance of the entire festival!!! I absolutely loved it!!!

[teriimataha]

so do i ;o)

[derikpoquiz]

hey guys...if you're looking for Kumu Marks performances with a good Audio Match - search for blckSTRM2007 on YouTube. He has 2007 on there...

[n0elani10]

Beautiful. I love watching you guys.

[Meeskite]

By the way...anyone know the title of the song?

[Meeskite]

I know almost nothing about hula but damn, I love watching it and I love hearing Mark sing. It sounds so amazing.

[kahunahawaii]

Hula in my humble opinion is not something that can or should be JUDGED, it is exhibition at best and not about competition but connection to the ancients, expression of aloha, unity, beauty, power, ohana, alters of Laka a na akua.. E Kumu nui kou mana.

[Pinay8890]

O.O it's so amazing.. i just keep hitting the "play" button. lol!

[ahuloamaikalani]

I am a big fan of Mark Ho'omalu, but it is my understanding that due to the story behind the ipu heke you treat it as if it were a baby, and as far as i know you dont bang your babies on the ground!:) other than that i thought it was a great performance

[keaka21]

hanahanana= wack, besides who are you to judge someones interpretaton, tradition will never die but there is room for change, apparently tradionalists never want change when actually whats not traditional is failure to except change. hula has changed since day one and will change till the end of time. get use to it and get over yourself!

[hanahanana]

This is not kahiko hula.

I think that it is the entertainment show that it asked for a name of hula for.

[mamoahina]

hanahanana...not kahiko? Hula competition, hula today is all about entertainment. No one does it as it was meant to be as in ancient days. First of all, how many people actually understand na mele ma ka olelo no ka mea nui ka poe i maopopo oleai na huaolelo no leila it's nothing but entertainment anyway.

[mauiOO]

If Hula was never written down or recorded hundreds of years ago who's to say what is being called traditional today is even truly traditional? Why because your Kumu said so? If you dont like what you see then dont watch.I hope that we as Human Beings continue to LEARN and GROW to be tolerant and be accepting regardless of differences. Think outside the box dont lock yourselves in it IMUA.

[MOOCTAVIO]

Watching this halau always gives me goosebumps. This halau is my favorite by far every time I watch them. The women are all beautiful. Original and breath taking choreography and Marks commanding voice is mesmerizing. I love the Academy of Hawaiian Arts and can't wait for the day to watch these guys live.

[buzybuni]

I AM SOOOO JEALOUS!!!

*New Zealander*

[hayngerl808]

dey should've won its awesome no otta halau does stuff lyke dis nd dey r gud

[brownsuger00]

Kumu Hula Mark Ho'omalu isn't just a Kumu he's much more look what hes put together!!! It's so different but a good difference that's what makes him stand out! The dancers respect him and are lucky to be in hes Acamey.

[albaandrade]

Kumu Mark es un artista y como tal su trabajo es "crear", no está distocionando años de historia, únicamente hizo su versíon de un kahiko. No podemos satanizar el cambio, debemos estar abiertos a él. No cambió el estilo, ni la vestimenta, únicamente plasmo su percepción de la danza... eso fue todo

[albaandrade]

Creo que no agrede ningún prototipo de danza, la cultura cambia, la historia la hacemos día con día, realizó un kahiko fuera de los criterios de uno tradicional,pero cada kien tiene la capacidad de crear su propio mundo..

[misskanitha]

MAHALO to all supporters... we live for you! as for the haters... get over yourselves. =]

[DuttyGyal718]

Polynesian culture rocks!!!!

[Hawn808C]

I dont care what anyone says. Ya'll did good, looked confident and worked that stage like nobodys buisness.

[lusilala]

Maika'i oukou, Aka, Ekala mai makou ma kela mau lunakanawai, He oluolu ia oukou, me nui ke aloha mai.

[AGENT1]

so what Im saying is that when people like pua kanakaole speak about mark keeping things tradional she should look at what her, her daughter, and grandson are doing also selling cd's with chant, and mele on it is that traditional????? Nothing against them but what good for one is good for all.....thats it...

[AGENT1]

To me if you are a kumu hula and you are going to be making comments about marks halau and how he has to stay within boundaries of hula than who are you to go out of those exact boundaries and record hula songs, chant, and so one....our hula, chants and so forth werent put on cd for sale....

[AGENT1]

Kumu Mark is just awesome. His manao, interpretation, and mana is to me in my opinion just remarkable. You can see in the dance, the dancer, and in the ano of all in the halau that are performing that they dont just dance the dance they are the dance and they know what they are dancing about.....thats what makes the difference all of that in one...Sad that due to politics and comments of a very few that because of that his halau doesnt place....and that is very sad.

[NikkiSavella]

The thing I find disturbing is that Hula should never be a competition. The Merrie Monarch should be made to celebrate Hawaiis Hula. For it is a culture on its own. But I guess it will not be. Which is the sad part.

[sistaORAH]

Agreed...this topic has been talked around the fire for AWHILE now...I was even inspired to write a poem a few years back and since seeing this on here is reminding me of it, I wish I could recite it. Alas, I cannot due to max. characters. Either way, those of us who have grown up in this know the politics involved and, ultimately, its up to the dancer to choose to compete or not.

[lancemadison]

it goes without saying that kealii hoomalu's halau did awesome. but, the politics of merrie monarch is a huge factor in the hawaiian community. not only to this halau, but many others as well. halau olana always do great but hardly place. im not saying that the judges are wrong, they are the masters within the hula world and they've been around longer then many kumu hula have. also, there are different protocalls in hula.

[ninjapoodle22]

BEAUTIFUL!!!!

[faamanuu]

i think that mark will have a bad luck with the halau them simople fact that he was a na mele hula ohana first until he became all stuck up n instead of returning the halau to the ohana he went and trashed it so there for ...he will win the crowd but through real judges not local judges around the bay area he will never win 1st cause he stupid....lol

[maliikapu]

Well I do not think he is stupid just because someone says he is stupid or "eccentric" I think he has a different look at hula than most people. Like he said "Call it what you want."

[misskanitha]

First of all, he didn't "trash" anything. He wanted to go in his OWN direction in his OWN halau, not in one he kept open for someone else. AHA is going strong, and will for a very long time. Educate yourself before you decide to "trash" them.

[waveblink]

how can you judge someone and say there stuck up when you dont even know them. if anything that is stuck up so grow up get a life back off my kumu and my haumana

[Intsikanoy]

All of them are winners to me. I really love the Merrie Monarch Festival. I still don't have the 2006 and 2007 Tapes. :D

[Meeskite]

Mark has such an astounding voice

[lostbeachbum]

THEY SHOULD HAVE W0N;; N0 DOUBT ABOUT THAT!!! THEY ENTERTAiNED THE CROWD && GOT THE CROWED GOiNG..

iF THEY DiDN'T ENTER THE MERRiE MONARCH WOULD HAVE BEEN BORiNG AND A NOTHiNG.

[nunyabiz005]

merrie monarch's purpose is not to entertain the crowd.. if that was the case the crowd would judge.. they did good but you should be humble and not insult the other halau and kumu who went to perform and did place. if he didnt place there was a reason..

[marmst]

Lost..... I was there in person, they were absolutely marvelous, but they are not the only halau there. All the halau were just beyond words to describe...... I wouldn't have wanted to be a judge, I'll tell you that!

[jahloveshawaii21]

Very Disrespectful not only to the Kumu and Halau that enter in MM but also to hula itself and the history of MM!Judges make decisions based on INTERPRETATION and strict guidelines of hula itself, not entertainment or from crowd applause. MM is the equivalent of the Olympics in the world of hula and is the most watched competition in the World.RESPECT that!

[marmst]

No doubt, jah! In my humble opinion, this was the best Merrie Monarch ever, but I am prejudiced...... I was there :) In all seriousness, each and every halau should be completely satisfied. They ALL did so well and their hard work showed. I bow to the masters of hula...... each and every one of them!

[bakluzh]

i was suprised when i watch them on that night

[magdalom]

Which place did they take ?

[waveblink]

They did not place

[chel626]

woo AHA!!

[tinasattler1]

souds good to me i love marks voice i loved him on liloand stich

[Haynkekai00]

Sucks the audio is off on this one 2

[Sammulder]

Mark is awesome 4 years ago he came to mexico and teach us Wai'Oli. mahalo

[waveblink]

ya thats my hula sistas