KAHULUI - Top noodle eaters, Hanafuda players, and artists and performers at the recently held 11th annual Maui Matsuri Japanese cultural festival were announced.
The event May 13 and 14 at the University of Hawaii Maui College drew more than 9,000 people and included food and entertainment - and an assortment of Japanese games and arts.
The winners of those competitions follow:
* Sam Sato Saimin eating contest Adult Division - Tyler Orikasa, first; Masa Hattori, second; Claire Barroga, third; Children's Division - Acer Pahukoa, first; Nick Wittehiend, second; Samantha Kahuhu, third.
* Iwamoto Natto (fermented soy beans) eating contest Adult Division - Gregg Okamoto, first; Chance Rodrigues, second; Loa Uehara, third; Children's Division - Devyn Kochi, first; Kazataka Iinamana Kaoki, second, Hoken Hironaka, third.
* Hanafuda contest Advanced Division winner - Linda Tengan; beginning division winner - Rachelle Fushikoshi.
* Manga contest 3rd-5th grade - Juliana Arraeola, first; Danya Czerwinski, second; Sophia Dahlen, third; 6th-8th grade - Sabrina Futch, first; Aubrey Unemori, second; Erin Manibog, third; 9th-12th grade - Rhiannon Hernandez, first; Kaili Mossman, second; Lady-Lyn Dasmarinas, third.
* Traditional art contest 3rd-5th grade - Irish May Mangisel, first; 6th-8th grade - Laura Dodson, first; Alyssa Fusato, second; Layce Yamauchi, third; 9th-12th grade - Lady-Lyn Dasmarinas, first; Maile M. Pollock, second; Kaitlyn Yamada, third.
* Cosplay contest (contestants dress up as anime or manga characters) Hallway Cosplay Student Division - Jared Julian as Naruto Uzumaki, from "Naruto," first; Devynn Kochi, as Yuki Cross from "Vampire Knight," second; Holly Weisel, as Misa Amane, from "Death Note," third; Adult Division - Allan Santos, as Ezio Auditore from "Assassin's Creed," first; Darrell Planas, as Kakashi Hatake, from "Naruto," second; Laneke Augustin, as Ichigo Kurosaki, from "Bleach," third.
* Cosplay Showcase winners - Julius Orosco, as Mario from "Super Mario Bros.," first; Allan Santos, as Ezio Auditore from "Assassin's Creed," second; Lisa Kawaguchi, as Kiba Inuzuka, from "Naruto," third.
* Video game tournament Super Smash Brawl - James Henry, first; Julius Orosco, second.
* Craft booth decorating contest - Haiku Maui Orchids.
* Food booth decorating contest - Oyako Tei Restaurant.
