Local girl makes good. Natasha Kamalamalamaokalailokokapu`uwaimehanaokekeikipunahele Oda grew up in Hilo and took up the art of hula at the age of 5, eventually teaming up with hometown kumu hula Johnny Lum Ho and Halau Hula Ka Ua Kani Lehua. She became the 2001 Miss Aloha Hula on Thursday night. "I was surprised," Oda said after her stirring performances. "I was expecting to go home." Among Oda's performances was an original `Auana composed her kumu hula, "Uncle Johnny," as she calls him. The dance was not finalized until Wednesday. "That's our halau, we are always last minute," Oda said, laughing. Thousands filled Edith Kanakaole Stadium Thursday for the beginning of the 38th annual Merrie Monarch Hula Festival and will again for Friday's Hula Kahiko and Saturday's Hula `Auana competitions. The event is considered by many as the world's premier hula festival. People from around the world flock to the Big Island for a glimpse of the world's best dancers as they perform the traditional dances of Hawaii. Thirteen young women competed Thursday night for the title of Miss Aloha Hula. Nearly 30 groups will begin their competition Friday night with the Kahiko, or ancient hula. The women (wahine) and men (kane) will conclude their programs Saturday night with the `Auana, or modern hula. KITV4 will broadcast the event live each night starting at 6 p.m. TheHawaiiChannel.com will provide a video livestream of the event.

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