Often described as fluid, emotional and simply striking to watch, hula is a Polynesian dance form often accompanied by a chant or song developed in the Hawaiian Islands. The movements of this dance portray the words of the song, reflecting the meaning of the lyrics through movement.
Hand movements in the hula often symbolize ocean waves or trees blowing and bending in the breeze, natural gestures reflecting nature. The hips and feet swiftly move about to the music.
A beautiful little girl with brown wavy hair hanging past her waist entered and won the title of Miss Keiki Hula 2019 in the 44th annual Queen Lili’uokalani Keiki Hula Competition that drew 29 entrants from Hawaii and Japan to the Neal S. Blaisedell Center in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Kaimana Joe Kaitoku Friez sauntered up onto the stage walking stiffly up the stairs. She had donned a flowy yellow skirt paired with a long-sleeved white shirt, a yellow lai gracing her neck. Her skirt swished around her legs.
The little girl’s wavy hair was pulled back on the sides, a headpiece adorning her head with what looks like a pineapple atop it. As the sweet and plucky strains from a ukelele begin to play, the little girl starts swaying her hips, taking graceful and ginger steps as she dances the hula. She swings her arms about and slides across the stage, covering lots of ground in her traditional dance that lasted approximately five minutes for the competition.
Long ago, the hula helped keep history, mythology and culture vibrant.
It connected the Hawaiians to their land. Now as a form of entertainment to Hawaiian Island visitors and an expression of art and culture, hula dancers usually don grass skirts, small-sized tops and a lei around their necks. The men perform powerful movements in their dances, more like brave and strong warriors.
Kaimana’s routine obviously scored quite well to earn her the top title in this competition. More than 103,000 viewers have watched her routine and had supportive, complimentary comments they shared on her page just for her.
“This young keiki is an amazing dancer! This is the way to keep the ancient traditions alive! Aloha and Mahalo Nui Loa beautiful one.”
“Amazing dancer. Dancing from the heart and spirit through the body.”
“She is perfection. She carries the spirit of Aloha and it exudes from her movements. I bet her ohana is so proud. Mahalo for blessing us little one.”
Even with the camera right up front at the end of the stage, Kaimana doesn’t break stride.
Her composure is serene and her fluid body movements have captured many people’s attention.
Watch this precious and incredibly talented little girl’s dance and see for yourself how amazing she really is. She’s not only beautiful but a wonderful young dancer as well. You’ll be surprised that someone so young can dance so well!
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