Learn About the Magic Behind the Microphone at the Merrie Monarch Festival
Musical manaʻo from three of Hawaiian music’s extraordinary musicians and Merrie Monarch veterans as they prepare to take the stage to support hālau in the 2022 Merrie Monarch Festival.
While the action onstage at the Merrie Monarch Festival is revered as a visual masterpiece, the experience is a truly immersive one. Close your eyes for even a moment on ʻauana night in the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium and youʻll smell palapalai and pua mēlia (plumeria); you’ll feel the movement of fierce hula steps; and you’ll be overcome by the mesmerizing music of Hawaiʻi’s finest musicians. They say it takes a village, and in the realm of hula, that is absolutely true.
The music behind these historic performances are composed by haku mele icons and masterfully arranged for these unforgettable moments onstage. From kaʻi (entrance) to hoʻi (exit), the musical arrangements of Merrie Monarch ‘auana performances are uniquely poised to support the dancers in the stories they share. Even if you recognize a beloved, familiar mele, you will never again hear it performed the exact same way by that particular group of musicians. Like catching lightning in a bottle, the art of Hawaiian music is unparalleled on the Merrie Monarch stage. As we welcome the return of the 2022 festival—which starts today—we caught up with a few of the extraordinary musical talents behind some of our favorite performances to get a glimpse into their world of music excellence in preparing for ‘auana night this Saturday.
Halehaku Seabury
(Member of Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning group Nā Hoa)
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You are known as an esteemed musician and Merrie Monarch veteran who has graced many a stage throughout your career. What is unique and challenging about arranging music for a Merrie Monarch performance?
The difference in arranging for Merrie Monarch versus other occasions is that we create an arrangement and/or treatment for the mele that will best present the hālau and their kuana ʻike for the moʻolelo (stories) they are sharing. Creating music in service and support of the ʻōlapa truly is the goal.
In your opinion, what do you think sets a musical performance apart during Merrie Monarch?
Symbiosis. I’ve heard mind blowing musical performances on the Merrie Monarch stage that have done nothing to inspire the dancers, and vice versa. It’s a thing that is both visual and emotional, when the music inspires their hula, and the energy is reciprocated back to the musicians. That’s truly the mark of a great Merrie Monarch performance.
Do you have any favorite Merrie Monarch music arrangements from previous years?
So many to choose from, but this one surely stands out in my mind: Hālau Mōhala ʻIlima performed a song entitled “Leinaʻala” that I co-composed with Ānuenue Pūnua to honor the late kumu hula (and kumu of EVERYTHING!) Leinaʻala Kalama Heine. It was performed by Nā Hoa, kumu hula Robert Cazimero, and kumu hula Manu Boyd. To hear R.U.C. (Robert Uluwehi Cazimero) sing a melody you’ve purposely written for his voice on the MM stage, and especial to honor his best “Bruddah,” (kumu Robert would often introduce kumu Leinaʻala as “our other bruddah” haha) …those kinds of moments are truly surreal.
Who are some of the hālau that you have performed for and supported in the past during Merrie Monarch?
I’ve had the opportunity to share the Merrie Monarch stage with Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi, Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala, Hālau Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniākea, Hālau Mōhala ʻIlima, and thankfully a list of others.
As a Hawaiian musician, what do you think is special about the festival?
It’s a great opportunity to see friends we’ve missed during the worldwide two-year mandatory sabbatical! The festival is an avenue for all to showcase our growth in understanding what it means to be ʻōiwi, perpetuating this aspect of our culture.
Veterans often say that the music is intoxicating in the stadium and never quite translates as immersively as it does on TV. What do you think spectators experience differently in person versus watching the competition on TV or online?
The energy in the stadium is palpable. You’re able to see hālau line up at the stages edge preparing for their next performance. You can hear the backstage musician camaraderie, and watch them set up in preparation. The kumu give “the nod” and when the music hits, the feeling is something that cannot truly be translated to broadcast the way it feels in the stadium.
Did you perform for any hālau in 2021 and what was different or difficult about that experience trying to accommodate musical performances throughout the pandemic?
We were lucky enough to perform for Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala in 2021. The music was a blast as it always is with kumu Leinaʻala Jardin! Making sure that the energy we brought to the recording would and could be translated during the live performance in Hilo was an aspect that we truly prioritized with the new format.
What is something you are looking forward to this year now that Hilo will be welcoming guests and the stadium will be filled with a live audience again?
Seeing all of my friends! Onstage, offstage, in restaurants, while shopping. I’m looking forward to sitting in on jams with other musicians, making time to visit with our mentors who were unavailable during the two-year sabbatical, giving them our mahalo, and maybe lunch too.
Who are you playing for this year so we can look out for you as we cheer on all of the competing hālau?
I am looking forward to sharing the stage with Hālau Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniākea.
Lina Robins
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You are known as an esteemed musician and Merrie Monarch veteran who has graced many a stage throughout your career. What is unique and challenging about arranging music for a Merrie Monarch performance?
By no means do I consider myself an esteemed musician or a Merrie Monarch veteran, but I have been blessed to sing at MM from 2011-2018. I couldn’t make it in 2019, and 2020, of course, the world was shut down due to the pandemic. I was a part of the pre-recorded music for Merrie Monarch 2021 and am now back in Hilo this year! I have always been honored to learn my part as a musician, but have never had the kuleana of the kumu or musical director in arranging music. Putting together voices who will blend well or bring their own flavor to the arrangement is very challenging. Finding a group of musicians who also work well together, with the kumu, as well as musicians who you know you can rely on to mālama their kuleana—it all works together to make the performance successful.
In your opinion, what do you think sets a musical performance apart during Merrie Monarch?
When you can hear how tight and how together the musicians are, whether it be a fast or slow number, a simple or complicated arrangement, you can HEAR when the group has put in the time and effort during their rehearsals, or just know each other so well that it translates into the performance.
Do you have any favorite Merrie Monarch music arrangements from previous years? Do you have any favorite Merrie Monarch performances from any particular hālau?
My favorite arrangements that I have been a part of are from my first year singing at MM in 2011 with Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka Lā, and then when we did Maui Medley in 2014 with Hula Hālau O Kamuela. If I was to share my favorite musical performances in general we’d be here forever!
Who are some of the hālau that you have performed for and supported in the past during Merrie Monarch?
I’ve been blessed to play for Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka Lā, Hula Hālau o Kamuela, Ke Kai O Kahiki, Keolalaulani Hālau ‘Ōlapa O Laka and Moana’s Hula Halau.
As a Hawaiian musician, what do you think is special about the festival?
I think what makes it special is that collectively, it is the biggest event where we as kānaka (Native Hawaiians) can celebrate Hawaiian traditions and art, whether performative or something tangible like clothing and jewelry. We can showcase our excellence in all ways.
Veterans often say that the music is intoxicating in the stadium and never quite translates as immersively as it does on TV. What do you think spectators experience differently in person versus watching the competition on TV or online?
Oh, it is ABSOLUTELY two different experiences. I don’t care if you have the best surround-system-home-theater-Dolby-Digital-audio-setup in the world…the music still won’t sound as good as it does in the stadium. The acoustics in the stadium are unreal, and when the sound crew have the speakers BANGING—the music is SO ‘ONO!
Did you perform for any hālau in 2021 and what was different or difficult about that experience trying to accommodate musical performances throughout the pandemic?
I was blessed to sing for the ‘auana performance of Ke Kai O Kahiki’s kāne (men) in 2021 as well as for their Miss Aloha Hula performance. I performed along with Iwalani Hoʻomanawanui Apo, Ikaika Blackburn and Jeff Au Hoy.
What is something you are looking forward to this year now that Hilo will be welcoming guests and the stadium will be filled with a live audience again?
I am looking forward to the energy and camaraderie in the Edith Kanakaʻole stadium and in Hilo in general. And all the Hilo eateries I haven’t had in three years!
Who are you playing for this year so we can look out for you as we cheer on all of the competing hālau?
I’ll be playing for Hālau Hula Lani Ola under the direction of Kumu Hula Puanani Jung and Hālau Hiʻiakaināmakalehua under the direction of Nā Kumu Hula Robert Keano Kaʻupu IV and Kauhilonohonua Padilla.
Bryan Tolentino
Photo: Courtesy of Nā ʻUkulele ʻEkolu
You are known as an esteemed musician and Merrie Monarch veteran who has graced many a stage throughout your career. What is unique and challenging about arranging music for a Merrie Monarch performance?
Bringing the kumu’s hula vision to life through music—there has to be a synergy between the music and the hula that translate to the stage and overall performance.
In your opinion, what do you think sets a musical performance apart during Merrie Monarch?
That synergy that takes place when the music and hula are in sync. One does not “overpower” the other.
Do you have any favorite Merrie Monarch music arrangements from previous years? Do you have any favorite Merrie Monarch performances from any particular hālau?
My very first performance with Hālau O Nā Maoli Pua in 1982. They were the overall winners that year who won with their iconic performance of “I Aliʻi No ʻOe.”
Who are some of the hālau that you have performed for and supported in the past during Merrie Monarch?
Hālau O Nā Maoli Pua, Kealiʻikapunihonua Keʻena Aʻo Hula, Hālau Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniākea and Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi.
As a Hawaiian musician, what do you think is special about the festival?
The sights, sounds, smells and ENERGY of the stadium! The camaraderie of the musicians as well, because we are always so busy that Merrie Monarch is sometimes the only time that we get to see each other throughout the year.
Veterans often say that the music is intoxicating in the stadium and never quite translates as immersively as it does on TV. What do you think spectators experience differently in person versus watching the competition on TV or online?
Just that—the sights, sounds, smells and ENERGY! The audio is always SO much better live in the stadium!
What is something you are looking forward to this year now that Hilo will be welcoming guests and the stadium will be filled with a live audience again?
Seeing family, friends, fellow musicians…shopping at the craft fairs…and eating!
Who are you playing for this year so we can look out for you as we cheer on all of the competing hālau?
Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi under the direction of nā kumu hula ʻIliahi and Haunani Paredes.
