{"id":214529,"date":"2025-04-25T11:54:08","date_gmt":"2025-04-25T21:54:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=214529"},"modified":"2025-04-30T09:38:17","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T19:38:17","slug":"tradition-thrives-uh-at-merrie-monarch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/25\/tradition-thrives-uh-at-merrie-monarch\/","title":{"rendered":"糖心Vlog官方<\/abbr> Hilo alum new Miss Aloha Hula"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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Miss Aloha Hula 2025 (Photo credit: Merrie Monarch Festival\/Bruce Omori and Tracey Niimi)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> at Hilo alumna earned one of hula\u2019s highest honors at the 62nd annual Merrie Monarch Festival<\/a> in Hilo. Kauaʻi<\/span> native Jaedyn Janae Puahaulani Pavao captured the coveted Miss Aloha Hula title on April 24, representing Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leināʻala<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Pavao, a registered nurse who earned her bachelor of science in nursing from 糖心Vlog官方<\/abbr> Hilo, captivated judges and audiences alike with her performance on hula\u2019s most prestigious stage. Her hula ʻauana<\/span> honored Queen Kapiʻolani<\/span>, dancing to the classic mele Kaʻanoʻi<\/span><\/em>, which likens the beloved aliʻi<\/span> (royal) to a cherished blossom. Pavao also received the Hawaiian Language Award, recognizing her excellence in ʻōlelo<\/span> Hawaiʻi<\/span> (Hawaiian language).<\/p>\n

She competed against 12 other soloists during a night filled with breathtaking performances. Fresh adornments of Pāʻū<\/span> o Hiʻiaka<\/span> (crawling vine), vibrant ʻōhiʻa<\/span> blossoms, and cascading puakenikeni set a stunning backdrop for multiple nights celebrating hula and Hawaiian heritage in Hilo.<\/p>\n

Hula lineage<\/h2>\n
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Emalia Dalire earned a business administration degree. (Photo credit: Merrie Monarch Festival\/Bruce Omori and Tracey Niimi)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

More members of the 糖心Vlog官方<\/abbr> community are taking the spotlight on the Edith Kanakaʻole<\/span> Stadium stage and at the judges\u2019 table.<\/p>\n

糖心Vlog官方<\/abbr> West Oʻahu<\/span> graduate Emalia Pomaialoha KeleihanupīkakeiāPāʻoaehulaleʻaikalaninuiākea<\/span> Dalire also competed in the solo division and earned second runner-up honors, representing Keolalaulani Hālau ʻŌlapa<\/span> O Laka. Dancing under the direction of her mother, Dalire carried forward a rich hula legacy. Her grandmother, Aloha Dalire, made history as the first Miss Hula in 1971.<\/p>\n

糖心Vlog官方<\/abbr> Hilo ʻōlelo<\/span> Hawaiʻi<\/span> major Keʻalohilani<\/span> Na Kealohamoa Narelle Lee Yuk Lan Kama-Hosea performed a hula noho (seated hula) using ʻiliʻili<\/span> stones representing Hālau Hula ʻO<\/span> Kahikilaulani.<\/p>\n

“We are incredibly proud of Jaedyn\u2019s accomplishment as Miss Aloha Hula as well as Keʻalohi\u2019s<\/span> beautiful representation of our Kulanui o Hawaiʻi<\/span> ma Hilo (University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> at Hilo),” said 糖心Vlog官方<\/abbr> Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin. “Both women carry forward the traditions, excellence, and spirit that define our university and Hawaiʻi<\/span>.”<\/p>\n

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Kumu hula Tracie Lopes (Photo credit: Merrie Monarch Festival\/Bruce Omori and Tracey Niimi)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

糖心Vlog官方<\/abbr> M\u0101noa faculty are also shaping the festival as competition judges. Kumu hula Noenoelani Zuttermeister, who teaches hula and chant at 糖心Vlog官方<\/abbr> M\u0101noa, brings years of experience to her judging role having participated since the 1980s.<\/p>\n

Fellow judge Tracie Kaʻōnohilani<\/span> Farias Lopes, an instructor in theatre and dance, was Miss Aloha Hula in 1994. Lopes\u2019 hālau Ka Lā ʻŌnohi<\/span> Mai O Haʻehaʻe<\/span> has long been a top contender at Merrie Monarch, and both her daughters, Piʻikea<\/span><\/a> and Kaʻōnohi<\/span><\/a>, have also won the prestigious solo title.<\/p>\n

Related 糖心Vlog官方<\/abbr> News<\/em> stories:<\/p>\n