Entertainment

Winners announced for 20th annual Kū Mai Ka Hula

The winners of the 20th annual Kū Mai Ka Hula competition were announced following performances Sept. 12 at Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater.

Six hālau from Maui, Hawaii, Kauai and the continental United States participated in the competition presented by the Maui Arts & Cultural Center and Kauahea Inc.

Loʻikena Yamamoto of Hālau Ka Pā Hula o Hīnano, under the direction of kumu hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro, was named Mr. Hula Maui. Yamamoto also received the Mele Aloha Award for excellence in the competition's research-paper category.

Piʻilaniwahine Kaʻeo of Hālau Hula Kauluokalā was named Ms. Hula Maui. The hālau is led by nā kumu hula Uluwehi Guerrero and Kaui Krueger. Ceanna-Lei Kaʻiulani Batin Kaui of Hālau Ka Pā Hula o Hīnano placed second.

Hālau Nāwehiokaipoaloha, led by kumu hula Ipolei Lindsey-Asing, won the Group Kahiko Wāhine division, followed by Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka, led by kumu hula Nāpua Silva.

Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka won the Group 'Auana Wāhine division, with Hālau Nāwehiokaipoaloha placing second.

In the Group 'Auana Kūpuna division, Hālau Ka Pā Hula o Hīnano took first place, followed by Hālau Ka Ua Tuahine, led by kumu hula Māhealani Uchiyama.

Hālau Nāwehiokaipoaloha received the Palikūmaikalewalani Oli Award for excellence in oli. Hālau Ka Pā Hula o Hīnano received the Maui Nui Award for its participation throughout the competition.

Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka received the Leianaikaroselaniomaui Award for overall excellence in hula and the 'Ōlelo Makuahine Award for excellence in Hawaiian-language use by accompanists and musicians.