awards from the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) during the organization's 81st annual meeting in Chicago in late September 2005.

"Sharks: Myth and Mystery" earned the Exhibit Award as the best new exhibit created by any of the association's 210 accredited zoos and aquariums nationwide. It also received the Munson Aquatic Conservation Exhibitry Award, which recognizes the educational contributions of zoo and aquarium exhibits to public awareness of saltwater and freshwater habitats.

In 2003, Monterey Bay Aquarium commissioned a chant and hula by Kumu Hula Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu to be used in its special exhibition, "Sharks: Myth and Mystery." The chant and hula would represent the Pacific Islander tradition of honoring sharks in their stories and dances. Kumu Mark composed the mele, "He mele no Kamoho, ka mano heleku" in honor of the shark god, Kamohoali'i.

Kumu Mark and the Academy dancers at the
Monterey Bay Aquarium video shoot for Sharks: Myth and Mystery.

Academy dancers were then filmed performing the hula that Kumu Mark choreographed for the mele. The video runs as part of the "Sharks: Myth and Mystery" exhibit for the life of the four-year installation (through September 4, 2006).

The Academy also performed live at Monterey Bay Aquarium for the opening of the exhibit in 2004.

Monterey Bay Aquarium features highlights of the award-winning exhibit on their website, along with a video clip of the commissioned hula and a translation of the mele.

Want to see more hula by the Academy of Hawaiian Arts online?
View the Academy's "Take The Voyage" video

- by Kamali'i Bingham