Competitive Hula

I have always enjoyed the simple fact that different things are important to different people. That's one of the things that makes the world such a wonderful place.

Native Hawaiians participate in hula competitions that contain the best of sports, dance, storytelling and music. This is extreme competition at its highest level. Contestants of all ages participate, both male and female.

The finals take place on a bare stage, lit with the simplest of lights. The music plays, the dancers sway, and frequently the dancers chant or sing while dancing. This year the competition was interrupted frequently. On Friday, right after Halau Mohala 'Ilima's hula kahiko, a group of Maori men rose in one section of the bleachers to give a rousing war haka in appreciation of their sisters-in-spirit and festival hosts, halting their exit through the stadium. The young women of Mapuana de Silva chanted, in return, their aloha and thanks to the Maori, then continued on their way out.

How cool is that!?!?!

So what does all of this have to do with the war, politics, religion, or any of the other issues in the world. Not a thing.

And that makes it more important than anything.