ʻAha Mele 2014

Everyone from Hawaiʻi knows that Song Contest has been a long-standing tradition of Kamehameha Schools.  Broadcasted live across the state of Hawaiʻi, each high school grade level performs three songs: one girls' song, one boys' song, and one combined number (except for the Freshmen, who sing only a combined song).  All songs are performed a capella, typically in 4-part and sometimes 8-part harmony.  While three Song Contest judges count their tallies and determine who wins each of the six different awards, the Hō'ike commences.  This portion of the show features select students who perform hula and additional mele. Then the winners are announced and the night ends with lei after lei after lei after lei... until students can barely see over tons (literally) of lei around their neck. Almost like graduation.

This year marked the 94th annual Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Song Contest.  KSK's sister school on the Maui campus holds its own ʻAha Mele or Song Fest, held on a much smaller scale and is of no comparison to Song Contest.

KSM's ʻAha Mele was this past Friday, April 17th.  My sister is a sophomore so of course I went to kāko'o her and also keep my mom company.  ;)  This year's theme was Ke Ola Hou or "new life."

Students' poses mimic the "birthing" of the Hawaiian Islands during ʻŌpūkahonua.

You should have been there to hear the oli of Mele a Pākuʻi.

Holo Mai Pele tells a story of sibling rivalry between goddess sisters Pele and Namakaokahaʻi.

That typical ending pose shot.

The student body waits for their cue to begin Oli Aloha.

KSM high school president Avinash Singh adorned in orange lei, the Seniors' class color.

Students presented lei to the three ʻAha Mele judges: Kamaka Kukona, Herbert Mahelona, and Manu Boyd.

The Freshmen, class of 2017, sing Holo Waʻapā.

Sophomores, class of 2016, sing Kaʻaahi Kahului.

Juniors, class of 2015, sing Model T Holoholo Kaʻa.

And the winners of Ka Maka o Ka Ihe, the Senior class of 2014, who sang Ka Huliʻau Ana.

More hula.

Student performance with ʻipu (gourds).

Vice Principal Leo Delatori ties an orange ribbon, the Seniors' class color, onto Ka Maka o Ka Ihe.

Headmaster Lee Ann De Lima congratulates Senior song director Madison Vaught.

Priceless reaction from the Senior boys!

We just can't get enough of that raw emotion. Love it!

And in true KS fashion, the student body sings the schools alma mater Sons of Hawaiʻi "hand-in-hand."

Spectators watch as the student body finishes off the last line of Sons of Hawaiʻi.

For more info on this year's ʻAha Mele, read the student-written article here.