Leo Haʻihaʻi Falsetto Contest celebrates Hawaiian tradition
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As the fifth annual Carmen Hulu Lindsey Leo Haʻihaʻi Falsetto Contest returns Oct. 23 to the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Lindsey is delighted to see young women embracing and helping perpetuate the cherished Hawaiian musical tradition.
"I'm so proud of it because that's my style of singing," said Lindsey. "I learned to sing by watching icons like Lena Machado and Genoa Keawe. So I'm so happy to be perpetuating and hoping that we can get these young ladies to perpetuate it as well, so that it will continue into the future as part of our traditions."
The first female falsetto contest in Hawaii, Maui leads the way in highlighting a beautiful facet of Hawaiian music.
Lindsey was 6 years old living in Waimea on Hawaii Island when she heard Aunty Genoa Keawe sing and the performance had a major impact on the young girl.
"I was sitting on the gym floor in Waimea at the LDS church gymnasium," Lindsey recalled. "My parents brought me along to see the show, and it was Aunty Genoa. I so admired her, and I thought, I want to sing like her. I didn't even know that I could sing, of course, at that age. But I think I copied her."
She recalled that Keawe, "was constantly on the radio those days on Hawaiian stations, and we didn't have much TV at all. So all we got to do is listen to the radio. I recognized her voice right off, and my mom and her became very good friends. Just coincidentally, they happened to be in the hospital at the same time in the same room."
When Lindsey got to sing for Keawe, "she told me that I was one of the singers that was closest like her. I felt so honored to hear her say that."
A professional entertainer who has represented Maui as an Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee since 2012, Lindsey won the 2014 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for female vocalist of the year for her album, "A He Leo Wale Nō E." Her earlier albums include the multi-Hōkū-nominated "Ho'oanapau." She was featured on the Hōkū-nominated album, "Lei Nāhonoapi'ilani – Songs of West Maui."
Presented in the resort's ballroom, contestants will be judged on their vocals and musicianship.
Judges will be Lindsey's award-winning daughters Kumu Hula Nāpua Silva and Kumu Hula Kahulu Maluo-Pearson, multi-Hōkū Award winner Raiatea Helm and Grammy-nominated Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona.
Judges at the 2025 Carmen Hulu Lindsey Leo Haʻihaʻi Falsetto Contest held at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. Courtesy photo
Lahela Lee Park of Hana won the first contest in 2022, followed by Teressa Deneen Welolani Noury of Lahaina in 2023, Leimana Purdy of Kula in 2024 and Kellysa-Michiko Nāmakaokalani Pauʻole of Waikapu in 2025.
"I like having it at the Four Seasons," said Lindsey. "It's closer to home. Most of us live Upcountry. We have people familiar with the style of singing. You can't just come and sing a song and not sing the style that we are pushing."
A University of Hawaii Maui College music student, Pau'ole was awarded an Emma Veary Scholarship, which was established by the college for students who demonstrate a strong interest in Hawaiian music.
As part of the Aloha Festivals, the Carmen Hulu Lindsey Leo Haʻihaʻi Falsetto Contest will be from 4 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. Admission is free. Off-site parking with a free shuttle service will be available at Wailea Event Parking, across from the Monkeypod Kitchen off of Wailea Ike Drive.