15 Nov Winners of the Annual Hula O Na Keiki Competition
Marking its 25th anniversary, Kaanapali Beach Hotel, is pleased to announce its talented winners of the annual Hula O Na Keiki children’s competition to help preserve Hawaiian culture through ancient dance and music.
In a competition that took place November 13-14th, children aged five to 17 competed in theirrespective categories for coveted awards and titles, and the chance to win nearly $13,000 in cash and prizes. The cultural competition educates participants and attendees alike in the ways of Hawaiian ancestors to preserve the culture so that the traditions can be carried forward.
Entering as soloists or palua (boy and girl pairs), 14 participants performed kahiko (ancient) and Auana (modern) hula styles that reflect both traditional and personal interpretations of competition songs. Dancers were judged on their style of chanting, interpretation of the dances and cultural appropriateness of costumes and adornments. Contestants were also 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.
This year’s participating Halau included: Halau Napualikolokelani, Kumu Junko Wong; Halau Keawahou, Na Kumu Hiro Sekine & Hisako; Halau Halonaikeohokapalai, Kumu Pomaikai Krueger; Halau Kekuaokalaaualailiahi, Na Kumu Iliahi & Haunani Paredes; Halau Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio, Kumu Joan Lindsey; Halau Ka Pa Nani O Lilinoe, Kumu Lilinoe Lindsey; Halau Keala Kahinano O Puna, Kumu Joy Keopuolani Salvador.
This year’s esteemed judges were: Head Judge Hokulani Holt, Kekuhi Kanae Kanahele Kealiikanakaoleohaililani who also wrote the competition mele; Kaponoai Molitau; Shane Kamakaokalani Herrod; Maelia Carter; Kehaulani Kekua; Kealii Reichel.
The event emcee was Hawaiian Protocol Facilitator at Kamehameha Schools Mui, Ekela Kaniaupio-Crozier.
Kaanapali Beach Hotel proudly recognizes the following 2015 Hula O Na Keiki winners:
Overall Wahine Award
Kyleigh Marie Hokuao Manual-Sagon
Halau Kekuaokalaaualailiahi
Na Kumu Iliahi & Haunani Paredes
Overall Kane Award
Kaloi Kalalena Lauleneke Combo Montalvo
Halau Kekuaokalaaualailiahi
Na Kumu Iliahi & Haunani Paredes
Opio Wahine Hula
1st Kyleigh Marie Hokuao Manual-Sagon
Halau Kekuaokalaaualailiahi
Na Kumu Iliahi & Haunani Paredes
2nd Haruno Terayama
Halau Napualikolokelani
Kumu Junko Wong
3rd Breena Ako
Halonaikeohokapalai
Kumu Pomaikai Krueger
Opio Kāne Hula
1st Kaloi Kalalena Lauleneke Combo Montalvo
Halau Kekuaokalaaualailiahi
Na Kumu Iliahi & Haunani Paredes
2nd Teva Medeiros
Halonaikeohokapalai
Kumu Pomaikai Krueger
Keiki Wahine Hula
1st Amedee Kauakohemalamalama Conley-Kapoi
Keala Kahinano O Puna
Kumu Joy Keopuolani Salvador
2nd Saige Maria Hookamalani Holkup
Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio
Kumu Joan Lindsey
3rd Amor Kaulumauowaialeale Villa Rapoza
Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio
Kumu Joan Lindsey
Keiki Kane Hula
1st Cole Napuupahee Leong
Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio
Kumu Joan Lindsey
2nd Damon Makoa Clark
Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio
Kumu Joan Lindsey
Overall Music
The Music Award
Halau Kekuaokalaaualailiahi
Song: Hawaii Calls
Sweet Leilani
Hula Town
My Wahine & Me
OLI AWARDS
Opio Wahine Oli
1st Kyleigh Marie Hokuao Manuel-Sagon
Halau Kekuaokalaaualailiahi
Na Kumu Iliahi & Haunani Paredes
2nd Haruno Terayama
Halau Napualikolokelani
Kumu Junko Wong
3rd Breena Ako
Halonaikeohokapalai
Kumu Pomaikai Krueger
Opio Kane Oli
1st Teva Medeiros
Halonaikeohokapalai
Kumu Pomaikai Krueger
2nd Kaloi Kalalena Lauleneke Combo Montalvo
Halau Kekuaokalaaualailiahi
Na Kumu Iliahi & Haunani Paredes
Keiki Wahine Oli
1st Amedee Kauakohemalamalama Conley-Kapoi
Keala Kahinano O Puna
Kumu Joy Keopuolani Salvador
2nd Saige Maria Hookamalani Holkup
Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio
Kumu Joan Lindsey
3rd Haylee Kukunaokala Kawai
Ka Pa Nani O Lilinoe
Lilinoe Lindsey
Keiki Kane Oli
1st Damon Makoa Clark
Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio
Kumu Joan Lindsey
2nd Cole Napuupahee Leong
Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio
Kumu Joan Lindsey
PALUA AWARDS
Opio Palua
1st Teva Medeiros & Breena Ako
Halonaikeohokapalai
Kumu Pomaikai Krueger
Keiki Palua
1st Damon Makoa Clark & Demi Mahealani Clark
Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio
Kumu Joan Lindsey
COSTUME & ADORNMENT AWARDS
Keiki Kahiko
Saige Maria Hookamalani Holkup
Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio
Kumu Joan Lindsey
Opio Kahiko
Kaloi Kalalena Lauleneke Combo Montalvo
Halau Kekuaokalaaualailiahi
Na Kumu Iliahi & Haunani Paredes
Keiki Auana
Amedee Kauakohemalamalama Conley-Kapoi
Keala Kahinano O Puna
Kumu Joy Keopuolani Salvador
Opio Auana
Haruno Terayama
Halau Napualikolokelani
Kumu Junko Wong
Keiki Palua
Damon Makoa Clark & Demi Mahealani Clark
Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio
Kumu Joan Lindsey
Opio Palua
Teva Medeiros & Breena Ako
Halonaikeohokapalai
Kumu Pomaikai Krueger
INTERVIEW AWARDS
Keiki Interview
Amedee Kauakohemalamalama Conley-Kapoi
Keala Kahinano O Puna
Kumu Joy Keopuolani Salvador
Opio Interview
Kyleigh Marie Hokuao Manuel-Sagon
Halau Kekuaokalaaualailiahi
Na Kumu Iliahi & Haunani Paredes
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 and workshops and Hawaiian entertainment.
“Congratulations to all of the Hula O Na Keiki winners and participants for their admirable accomplishments and hard work in honoring a longstanding Hawaiian art form,” said Mike White, General Manager of Kaanapali Beach Hotel. “We’re overjoyed to celebrate the milestone 25thanniversary of Hula O Na Keiki at Kaanapali Beach Hotel this year, and it’s been a true pleasure to see how much this annual competition has grown throughout the years. Thank you to our dedicated kumu (teachers), haumana (students), esteemed judges, staff, volunteers, sponsors and the local community for their wonderful support and tireless effort in preserving Hawaiian tradition.”
Hula O Na Keiki was established by the staff of Kaanapali Beach Hotel in 1990. Hotel and employees and community members volunteer their time for the event, which promotes awareness and perpetuates Hawaiian culture through music and dance.