Harry B. Soria, Jr. assists Buddha at the famous shrine in Kamakura, Japan on Thursday, April 30, 2009. During the annual Golden Week celebration, the ancient shrine is visited by thousands of people more than normal attendance. The Great Buddha of Kamakura (Kamakura Daibutsu) is a bronze statue of Amida Buddha, which stands on the grounds of Kotokuin Temple.
With a height of 13.35 meters, it is the second largest bronze Buddha statue in Japan.
The statue was cast in 1252 and originally located inside a large temple hall. However, the temple buildings were washed away by a tsunami tidal wave in the end of the 15th century, and since then the Buddha stands in the open air.
(Photo: Nani DeRego)
Harry B. Soria, Jr. is shown during his backstage announcing portion of emceeing the Japan Hula 'Oni E Hula Festival, on Tuesday evening, April 28, 2009, in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan. Featured performers included the Makaha Sons, Ho'okena, Halau Hula 'O Hokulani, and numerous hula studios from Japan. (Photo: George Kalima from his i-Phone)
A close up of the fabric worn by all of the musicians and dancers during Kawaili'ula's performance reveals that the "Kawaili'ula" logo is embraced within the design. Kawaili'ula, led by kumu hula Chinky Mahoe, brought the event to a rousing conclusion with their stirring performance. (Photo: Harry B. Soria, Jr.)
Chinky Mahoe & his trio lead his halau through the auana portion of their program at the "I Love Hula" event in Kailua, O'ahu, on Sunday, April 26, 2009. Chinky's halau, "Kawaili'ula", closes each year's "I Love Hula" celebration, while Mapuana de Silva's "Halau Mohala Ilima" launches the day. Harry B. Soria, Jr. emceed the hula extravaganza. (Photo: Harry B. Soria, Jr.)
Brad Souza, Chad Takasugi, & Ryan Gonazalves backed up Halau Mohala Ilima at the "I Love Hula" stage on Sunday, April 26, 2009. The 2nd annual event was part of the 17th annual "I Love Kailua" town party thrown each year by the Lanikai Outdoor Circle, Harry B. Soria, Jr. emceed the performances, featuring 9 halau, from 10 AM to 4 PM. (Photo: Harry B. Soria, Jr.)
Young hula dancers are pretty in pink as they await their chance to perform at the "I Love Hula" celebration of the "I Love Kailua" town party on Sunday, April 26, 2009. Harry B. Soria, Jr. emceed the 2nd annual "I Love Hula" event in Kailua, O'ahu, sponsored by First Hawaiian Bank, Kaneohe Ranch, and the Harold K. L. Castle Foundation. (Photo: Harry B. Soria, Jr.)
Elaine Ako Spencer is joined by Jeff Au Hoy and Ha'a Heyer as the house band for the Merrie Monarch tribute party in Waikiki on the day after our return from the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival in Hilo, Hawaii. Guests included Hawaii performers and kumu hula, as well as attendees from Japan. Harry B. Soria, Jr. emceed the event. (Photo: Harry B. Soria, Jr.)
Harry B. Soria's Merrie Monarch escape tucked away in a remote area of Volcano Village, on the Big Island of Hawaii. Crisp & chilly evenings in the thin air of Volcano. (photo: Harry B. Soria, Jr.)
A quiet cottage in a secluded area of the Volcano area of the Big Island of Hawaii offered the opportunity to recharge during the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival. (Photo: Harry B. Soria, Jr.)
On Friday night, April 17, 2009, Halau Mohala Ilima performs in the Kahiko competition of the 46th annual Merrie Monarch Hula Festival in Hilo, Hawaii, at the Edith Kanakaole Stadium. HMI was awarded 3rd place in women's kahiko. The judges row of tables can be seen in the left foreground, while one of the main television cameras and crew can be seen in the right foreground. (Photo: Harry B. Soria, Jr.)
On Saturday morning, April 18, 2009, in Hilo, Hawaii, the musicians supporting Halau Mohala Ilima's auana performance work with the soundman on their setup. All musicians performing during the auana dancing are positioned in this area behind the stage at the Edith Kanakaole Stadium. (Photo: Harry B. Soria, Jr.)
In the sound booth area behind the large stage at the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, in Hilo, Hawaii, the sound technicain balances the instrucments of the performers backing Halau Mohala Ilima during their Saturday morning, April 18, 2009, practice at the Edith Kanakaole Stadium. (Photo: Harry B. Soria, Jr.)
Merrie Monarch Hula Festival: Behind the Scenes. In Hilo, Hawaii, on Saturday, April 18, 2009, at the Edith Kanakaole Stadium, Kumu Hula Mapuana de Silva guides the dancers of Halau Mohala Ilima through their Auana number, as they practice for the evening's competition. In the foreground is the desk from which the telecast co-hosts, Kimo Kahoano & Paula Akana are based.(Photo: Harry B. Soria, Jr.)
Harry B. Soria, Jr. congratulates Kahikina de Silva following the 29th annual Holomua Ka No'eau concert at Hawaii Theatre on Saturday, March 28, 2009. Halau Mohala Ilima held the 29th annual event in celebration of and in preparation for their 31st consecutive appearance at the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival in Hilo, Hawaii. Kahikina's mother, Mapuana de Silva, is Kumu Hula of Halau Mohala Ilima.
Kihei de Silva and daughter Kapalai'ula de Silva talk story with Harry B. Soria, Jr. at the conclusion of Halau Mohala Ilima's 29th annual Holomua Ka No'eau concert at the Hawaii Theatre on Saturday evening, March 28, 2009. The event was held in celebration of and in preparation for Halau Mohala Ilima's 31st consecutive appearance at the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival in Hilo, Hawaii. Kihei's wife and Kapalai'ula's mother, Mapuana de Silva, is Kumu Hula of Halau Mohala Ilima.
