Winners announced in keiki hula competition
Titles for the 28th annual Hula O Na Keiki competition were recently awarded at Maui’s only solo hula competition for children.
Established by the staff of Ka’anapali Beach Hotel in 1990, Hula O Na Keiki promotes awareness and perpetuates Hawaiian culture through music and dance. Below is a list of the 2018 award recipients:
2018 Miss Hula O Na Keiki
Nadia Kukahiliokeawepe Nascimento
Kumu — Lopaka Igarta DeVera and Sonny Ching
Halau — Halau Na Mamo O Pu’uanahulu
Kaikamahine Hula Award
First, Nadia Kukahiliokeawepe Nascimento
Kumu — Lopaka Igarta DeVera and Sonny Ching
Halau — Halau Na Mamo O Pu’uanahulu
Second, Karen Miyazaki
Kumu — Yumiko Hara
Halau — Halau Kala’akeaokeaolani
Third, Shannon Kamalei Purdy
Kumu — Kahulu Maluo
Halau — Halau Kamaluokaleihulu
Kaikamahine Inteview Award
Shannon Kamalei Purdy
Kumu — Kahulu Maluo
Halau — Halau Kamaluokaleihulu
Kaikamahine Oli and ‘Olelo Hawai’i Award
First, Shannon Kamalei Purdy
Kumu — Kahulu Maluo
Halau — Halau Kamaluokaleihulu
Second, Madison Kuli’aikalihau Kalawai’a
Kumu — Uluwehi Guerrero
Halau — Halau Hula Kauluokala
Third, Nadia Kukahiliokeawepe Nascimento
Kumu — Lopaka Igarta DeVera and Sonny Ching
Halau — Halau Na Mamo O Pu?uanahulu
Kaikamahine Kahiko Costume & Adornment Award
Shannon Kamalei Purdy
Kumu — Kahulu Maluo
Halau — Halau Kamaluokaleihulu
Kaikamahine ‘Auana Costume and Adornment Award
Nadia Kukahiliokeawepe Nascimento
Kumu — Lopaka Igarta DeVera and Sonny Ching
Halau — Halau Na Mamo O Pu’uanahulu
Hula Palua Award
Moses A.K. Niles & Mohala K.K. Niles
Kumu — Iola Balubar
Halau — Halau Hula O Keola Ali’i o ke Kai
Palua Costume and Adornment Award
Moses A.K. Niles & Mohala K.K. Niles
Kumu — Iola Balubar
Halau – Halau Hula O Keola Ali’i o ke Kai
The Music Award
Halau Kala’akeaokeaolani
Kumu — Yumiko Hara
Mele: Mele o ke Ke’ena Kalaunu
The Akoni Akana Perpetual Award, identifying the kumu who best demonstrates the value of po’okela in preparing for Hula O Na Keiki was awarded to kumu Lorna Lim of Halau Kawehileimamoikawekiu ‘O Kohala. Shannon Kamalei Purdy of Halau Kamaluokaleihulu was the recipient of the Friends of Moku’ula scholarship, which works to further each individual’s education in Hawaiian culture.
This year’s participating halau included: Halau Hula O Keola Ali’i o ke Kai, kumu Iola Balubar; Halau Kala’akeaokeaolani, kumu Yumiko Hara; Hula Halau O Maluhia, kumu Junko Yuzawa; Halau Kawehileimamoikawekiu ‘O Kohala, kumu Lorna Lim; Halau Kamaluokaleihulu, kumu Kahulu Maluo; Halau Hula Kauluokala, kumu Uluwehi Guerrero; Na Lei O Kahikilani, kumu Kahikilani Akana; Halau Na Mamo O Pu’uanahulu; kumu Lopaka Igarta DeVera and Sonny Ching. The judges were: Hokulani Holt, head judge; Shane Kamakaokalani Herrod; Kapono’ai Molitau; Ulalia Woodside; and Puamohala Kaholokula.
To complement the children’s hula competition, weekend festivities at the hotel included a Hawaiian Festival of Arts and Crafts featuring local artisans. Hula O Na Keiki concluded with the final day of the Manaola pop-up shop and Sunday Brunch at The Tiki Terrace.