KAHULUI (HawaiiNewsNow) – Thirteen dancers will be taking the Merrie Monarch stage Thursday night vying for the title of Miss Aloha Hula.
One contestant from Maui will be dancing about her life story.
“Lexi definitely has a story to tell,” said Iliahi Paredes, Halau Kekuaokalaaualailiahi Kumu Hula.
Lexi Mae Pruse was 10 years old when she won Miss Keiki Hula in 2012.
“She did a song entitled Olu O Puulani,” Iliahi said.
The song was written for a young boy who was suffering from leprosy.
“Thirteen years later, we’re continuing that story,” said Iliahi.
For her hula auana this year, Lexi is dancing a mele entitled Palisa.
“Palisa is a song that was written by a young boy who had leprosy who was in the hospital,” Iliahi said.
Lexi is now a nurse at Maui Memorial Medical Center on Maui helping and saving young children in the hospital’s pediatrics department.
“Who would have known that someone who danced about a child being sick would end up helping children in that kind of capacity,” said Haunani Paredes, Halau Kekuaokalaaualailiahi Kumu Hula.
“At work I try to stay focused because it is such a high-pressure environment and you have people’s lives in your hands,” said Lexi.
When Lexi is not working, she is dancing.
“Practicing as much as I can and really researching and learning as much as I can about this mele so that I can tell the story and really breathe life into these songs,” Lexi said.
Lexi said hula is her outlet.
“My escape,” she said. “That stress relief where I can just leave it all at the door and come in and dance.”
So when Lexi takes the stage Thursday night to compete for Miss Aloha Hula – the highest honor for a solo female dancer – she hopes the audience realizes hula has a power that can shape lives.
“Every time I dance, I just want to leave people with a smile on their face,” said Lexi. “I hope that they enjoy it, and they can sit and watch and just take in the whole experience.”
Her kumu want the audience to know that the mele they picked for her to dance this year are much more than just beautiful songs.
“It’s her story,” said Iliahi and Haunani. “And we’re so excited for her to be able to tell that story on the stage at Merrie Monarch this year.”
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