Ms. Hula Maui Cierra Mei-Ling Hauʻolimaikalani Kawaʻa was selected at 18th Annual Kū Mai Ka Hula Competition. Photo courtesy Jose Badillo

Maui residents Dave Kawika Punio and Cierra Mei-Ling Hauʻolimaikalani Kawaʻa won the titles of Mr. and Ms. Hula Maui in the 18th Annual Kū Mai Ka Hula Competition on Sept. 12-13 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.

Eight participating hālau from Hawaii, Japan and the continental U.S. participated in the event. Punio and Kawa’a are from Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua under Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona.

Kū Mai Ka Hula is presented annually by Kauahea Inc., a nonprofit organization founded by Hōkūlani Holt to support Hawaiian arts and culture in connection with the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.

The judges were Kumu Hula Taupori Tangarō, Kumu Hula Shane Kamakaokalani Herrod, Kumu Hula Cody Pueo Pata and Kumu Hula Ulalia Woodside Lee. Each is a kumu hula with an award-winning hālau and is renowned for their contributions to Hawaiian culture.

Mr. Hula Maui 2025 is Dave Kawika Punio. His selection was made at the 18th Annual Kū Mai Ka Hula Competition at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Sept. 12-13 . Photo courtesy Jose Badillo

Other 2025 Kū Mai Ka Hula awardees include by division:

Mr. Hula Maui:

2nd: Shayce Kuakapuokalaniakea Dalire-Naʻauao / Keolalaulani Hālau ʻOlapa O Laka /Kumu Hula Keolalaulani Dalire

Ms. Hula Maui:

2nd: Kehaulani Kaleikaumaka Meaʻiʻomakamae Rubonal /Keolalaulani Hālau ʻOlapa O Laka / Kumu Hula Keolalaulani Dalire

Group Kahiko Kāne:

1st: Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua / Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona

2nd: Hālau Pā Hula o Hīnano / Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro

Group Kahiko Wāhine:

1st: Nā Pualei o Likolehua / Kumu Hula Niuli`i Heine

2nd: Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua / Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona

Group ‘Auana Kāne

1st: Hālau Ka Pā Hula o Hīnano / Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro

2nd: Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua / Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona

Group ‘Auana Wāhine

1st: Hālau Ka Pā Hula o Hīnano / Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro

2nd: Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua / Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona

Group ‘Auana Kūpuna

1st: Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua / Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona

2nd: Hālau o Lilinoe / Kumu Hula Lilinoe Kaio

Special Awards:

• Palikūmaikalewalani Oli Award (recognizes the hālau that exhibits excellence in oli):

Nā Pualei o Likolehua / Kumu Hula Niuliʻi Heine

• Maui Nui Award (recognizes the hālau that participated fully in all aspects of the competition and has tried to be involved in as many divisions as possible): Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua / Kamaka Kukona

• Leianaikaroselaniomaui Award (recognizes the hālau that exhibits overall excellence in hula): Hālau ʻO Kealani / Yukiko Minami

• The ‘Ōlelo Makuahine Award (recognizes the hālau that exhibits excellence in Hawaiian Language use by ho’opa’a (accompanist) and musician): Hālau o Lilinoe / Kumu Hula Lilinoe Kaio

• The Mele Aloha Award: (recognizes the Mr. or Ms. Hula Maui entry that exhibits excellence in their kahiko and ʻauana research papers: Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua / Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona.

1st Place in Wahine Kahiko is Nā Pualei o Likolehua under Kumu Hula Niuli`i Heine.
Photo courtesy Jose Badillo

1st Place in Wahine ‘Auana is Hālau Ka Pā Hula o Hīnano under Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro. Photo courtesy
Jose Badillo

1st Group in Kane Kahiko is Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua under Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona. Photo courtesy Jose Badillo

1st Place in Group ‘Auana Kāne is Hālau Ka Pā Hula o Hīnano under Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro. Photo courtesy Jose Badillo

1st Place in Kupuna is Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua under Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona. Photo courtesy Jose Badillo