HONOLULU (AP) In years past, hula students would make pilgrimages into ohia forests on Hawaii's Big Island to gather blossoms and leaves from the trees to adorn dancers' lei, hair, hands and feet for the world's most prestigious hula competition.
They would also pay respects to Laka, the goddess of hula, and seek inspiration.
But at this year's upcoming Merrie Monarch Festival, the red and yellow blossoms that normally adorn dancers will be missing.
That's because many competitors are heeding calls to avoid the flowers so they don't spread a fungus that's killing the tress that grow them.