Ke Kula Kaiapuni O Kalama took top honors Friday during the 40th annual Na Mele O Maui Song & Art Competition at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.
The group won the overall award, the language award and first place in Division IV (grades 6 to 8). Its contest song was "Na Pua Ka 'Ilima" and its choice song was "'Ohu'ohu Kahakuloa."
Other winners were:
Article Photos
Kahului Elementary School students sing the kindergarten-1st grade contest song “Haleakala Hula” at the 40th Na Mele O Maui Song & Art Competition on Friday in the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theater. The group finished second in its division.
The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
* Division I (kindergarten-grade 1); Kula Kaiapuni O Maui ma Pa'ia, first place; Kahului Elementary, second place; Pomaikai Elementary, third place; King Kamehameha III, fourth place.
* Division II (grades 2-3); Wailuku Elementary, first place; Paia Elementary, second place; Pomaikai Elementary, third place; King Kamehameha III, fourth place.
* Division III (grades 4-5); Kamehameha Schools Maui, first place; Kula Kaiapuni O Maui ma Pa'ia and Paia School, second place; Pukalani Elementary, third place; King Kamehameha III, fourth place; Pomaikai Elementary, fifth place.
* Division IV (grades 6-8); Ke Kula Kaiapuni O Kalama, first place; Kamehameha Schools Maui, second place; Molokai Middle School, third place; Lahaina Intermediate School, fourth place.
* 'Opio Division (grades 9-12); Kamehameha Schools Maui, first place; Lahainaluna High School, second place.
The event was sponsored by the Ka'anapali Beach Resort. Other sponsors include Akaku: Maui Community Television, the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Kamehameha Alumni Association-Maui Region, Mele Ukulele and Old Lahaina Luau.
The event's theme of "Ka Ho'oilina Leo a Ho'opi'i Brothers" showcased the vocal legacy of the late Solomon Ho'opi'i and brother Richard Ho'opi'i. The classes were required to perform two songs, a contest song selected by a committee to fit the theme and a choice song selected by the competing classes.
