Jayda Lum Lung, a participant in the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hawaii, will be dancing a traditional hula in honor of the Lahaina wildfire victims. Lung’s dance will symbolize the winds, rains, and mountains, telling a story of the sacred land. The hula competition, taking place from April 4-6, will pay special tribute to Maui with dances and songs in the Hawaiian language. Lung hopes to bring a sense of hope and unity to Lahaina through her performance.
Several hālau hula from Maui have been invited to the festival this year, with dancers facing challenges after losing their homes in the fires. Hālau o Ka Hanu Lehua, for example, has seven dancers who were affected by the fires, including a family struggling financially. Despite their hardships, the hālaus are coming together to support one another and ensure that all dancers are able to participate in the festival. The community is rallying to help those impacted by the fires and support their participation in the event.
Lung, a dancer from Hālau Hula Kauluokalā, is one of two dancers at the hālau whose families were displaced by the wildfires. The community has come together to provide support, with Lung’s family’s boat ramp becoming a delivery hub for supplies in the days following the fires. Dancing hula has provided a sense of escape and clarity for Lung during these difficult times, allowing her to express herself and connect with her roots.
The festival is also creating an opportunity for attendees to support recovery efforts directly. By offering free admission to the Wednesday-night Ho’ike performances in exchange for donations towards Maui wildfire relief funds, organizers are encouraging the audience to contribute to the recovery efforts. The performances will showcase the talent and resilience of the hālaus, while also raising awareness and support for the community’s recovery.
Lahainaluna High School students, who were unable to return to school for two months due to environmental concerns after the fires, will have the opportunity to watch the hālaus perform from a special spot backstage. This experience will provide the students with a unique and inspiring perspective on hula, encouraging them to deepen their passion for the art form. The hula performances will serve as a source of healing and comfort for community members who have been impacted by the wildfires, offering a space where they can connect, reflect, and find solace.
Overall, the Merrie Monarch Festival is not just a stage for competition but a platform for unity, healing, and support. Through their performances, the hālaus are honoring their heritage, showcasing their resilience, and standing in solidarity with the Lahaina community. The festival is a celebration of culture, tradition, and community spirit, reminding everyone of the strength and resilience that can emerge in the face of adversity.
