Ka’anapali Beach Hotel recently announced the winners of its 24th Hula O Na Keiki competition, which took place on Nov. 14-16. The Children’s Hula Competition was designed to preserve Hawaiian culture through ancient dance and music. Children aged five to 17 competed in their respective categories for awards and titles, and the chance to win nearly $14,000 in cash and prizes.
Twenty-three keiki entered the competition as soloists and palua (boy and girl pairs). The participants performed kahiko (ancient) and auana (modern) hula styles, reflecting both traditional and personal interpretations of competition songs.
Performers were judged on their style of chanting, interpretation of the dances and cultural appropriateness of costumes and adornments. Contestants also were scored on interviews with a panel of judges, who questioned their thoughts on dance, costume selection including adornments, and the proper use of the Hawaiian language.
“Congratulations to all the Hula O Na Keiki winners and participants for their outstanding work celebrating an honored tradition of preserving Hawaiian culture,” said Mike White, General Manager of Kaanapali Beach Hotel and a Maui County Councilman. “It has been wonderful to see the growth through the years and we are grateful to our participating kumu (teachers), haumana (students), esteemed judges, staff, volunteers, sponsors and the local community for their support.”
The judges at this year’s event included Head Judge Hokulani Holt, Kaponoai Molitau, Shane Kamakaokalani Herrod, Chris Kaiaokamalie, Kekuhi Kanae Kanahele Kealiikanakaoleohaililani and Manaiakalani Kalua.
To complement the children’s hula competition, weekend festivities at the hotel included a Hawaiian Festival of Arts and Crafts featuring island artisans, cultural demonstrations, workshops and Hawaiian entertainment.
Overall Wahine Award
Leimakamae Maura Kea
Halau Kekuaokalaaualailiahi
Na Kumu Iliahi & Haunani Paredes
Overall Kane Award
Kaleookalani Pinto
Halau Hula O Kawaihoomalu
Kumu Kukahoomalu Souza
Opio Wahine Hula
1st Leimakamae Maura Kea
Halau Kekuaokalaaualailiahi
Na Kumu Iliahi & Haunani Paredes
2nd Danielle Hiilani Watanabe
Halau Kealii O Nalani
Kumu Kealii Ceballos
3rd Mahealani-kauiokamoku Taitague-Laforga
Ka Pa Nani O Lilinoe
Kumu Lilinoe Lindsey
Opio Kane Hula
1st Kaleookalani Pinto
Halau Hula O Kawaihoomalu
Kumu Kukahoomalu Souza
2nd Jordan Keoni Brache
Halau Kealii O Nalani
Kumu Kealii Ceballos
3rd Lamakuokanaauao Kauikawekiu Hosino
Halau Kekuaokalaaualailiahi
Na Kumu Iliahi and Haunani Paredes
Keiki Wahine Hula
1st Kalen Kalealauliimakamae Yamamoto
Halau Kealii O Nalani
Kumu Kealii Ceballos
2nd Kahokuliilii Tanaka
Halau Kealii O Nalani
Kumu Kealii Ceballos
3rd Jenna Chiemi Anuhea Ubando Matsuyama
Nani Ola Hawaiian Dance Company
Kumu Kanani Pharr-Cadaoas
Keiki Kane Hula
1st Koby Kainalu Ichimasa
Halau Hula O Kawaihoomalu
Kumu Kukahoomalu Souza
2nd Ty Silva
Halau Na Pua O Uluhaimalama
Kumu Emery Aceret
Overall Music
Halau Hula O Kawaihoomalu
OLI AWARDS
Opio Wahine Oli
1st Kahakumele Hamakua
Halau Kauluokala
Na Kumu Uluwehi Guerrero and Pomaikai Krueger
2nd Danielle Hiilani Watanabe
Halau Kealii O Nalani
Kumu Kealii Ceballos
3rd Leimakamae Maura Kea
Halau Kekuaokalaaualailiahi
Na Kumu Iliahi and Haunani Paredes
Opio Kane Oli
1st Jordan Keoni Brache
Halau Kealii O Nalani
Kumu Kealii Ceballos
2nd Lamakuokanaauao Kauikawekiu Hosino
Halau Kekuaokalaaualailiahi
Na Kumu Iliahi and Haunani Paredes
3rd Kaleookalani Pinto
Halau Hula O Kawaihoomalu
Kumu Kukahoomalu Souza
Keiki Wahine Oli
1st Kahokuliilii Tanaka
Halau Kealii O Nalani
Kumu Kealii Ceballos
2nd Kalen Kalealauliimakamae Yamamoto
Halau Kealii O Nalani
Kumu Kealii Ceballos
3rd Jenna Chiemi Anuhea Ubando Matsuyama
Nani Ola Hawaiian Dance Company
Kumu Kanani Pharr-Cadaoas
Keiki Kane Oli
1st Koby Kainalu Ichimasa
Halau Hula O Kawaihoomalu
Kumu Kukahoomalu Souza
2nd Ty Silva
Halau Na Pua O Uluhaimalama
Kumu Emery Aceret
PALUA AWARDS
Opio Palua
1st Teva Medeiros
& Kahakumele Hamakua
Halau Kauluokala
Na Kumu Uluwehi Guerrero and Pomaikai Krueger
2nd Jordan Keoni Brache
& Danielle Hiilani Watanabe
Halau Kealii O Nalani
Kumu Kealii Ceballos
3rd Kenan Shaw-Demello
& Lahela Makamae Rosario
Halau Na Pua O Uluhaimalama
Kumu Emery Aceret
Keiki Palua
1st Noah Kuaolalaumailemoanimauikamakaniokohala Sniffen and Kapuauionalani Aiwohi
Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio
Kumu Joan S. Lindsey
2nd Jonah Kawehiwaokawekiuehanomauikananiokohala Sniffen and Halia Ohuohupuololeimokihanaikealoha Sniffen
Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio
Kumu Joan S. Lindsey
3rd Ty Silva and Gisele Dakota S. Ramelb
Halau Na Pua O Uluhaimalama
Kumu Emery Aceret
COSTUME & ADORNMENT AWARDS
Keiki Kahiko
Koby Kainalu Ichimasa
Halau Hula O Kawaihoomalu
Kumu Kukahoomalu Souza
Opio Kahiko
Leimakamae Maura Kea
Halau Kekuaokalaaualailiahi
Na Kumu Iliahi and Haunani Paredes
Keiki Auana
Danielle Sasuga
Ka Pa Nani O Lilinoe
Kumu Lilinoe Lindsey
Opio Auana
Kaleookalani Pinto
Halau Hula O Kawaihoomalu
Kumu Kukahoomalu Souza
Keiki Palua
Noah Kuaolalaumailemoanimauikamakaniokohala Sniffen and Kapuauionalani Aiwohi
Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio
Kumu Joan S. Lindsey
Opio Palua
Jordan Keoni Brache and Danielle Hiilani Watanabe
Halau Kealii O Nalani
Kumu Kealii Ceballos
INTERVIEW AWARDS
Keiki Interview
Jenna Chiemi Anuhea Ubando Matsuyama
Nani Ola Hawaiian Dance Company
Kumu Kanani Pharr-Cadaoas
Opio Interview
Leimakamae Maura Kea
Halau Kekuaokalaaualailiahi
Na Kumu Iliahi and Haunani Paredes
Photo: Zane Mathias
Comments
comments