4 Maui Hālau Win at 12th Annual Kū Mai Ka Hula

The 12th Annual Kū Mai Ka Hula was held over the weekend at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theater.

This year’s competition featured award-winning hālau from Maui, O‘ahu, two from the continental US (Las Vegas, NV and Oakland, CA) and two international hālau from Japan, there were a total of 10 hālau this year.

Wailohia Sula Hālau O Ka Hanu Lehua. Photo Courtesy: Marsha Aguon

Wailohia Sula Hālau O Ka Hanu Lehua. Photo Courtesy: Marsha Aguon

Hālau o Ka Hanu Lehua. Photo: Marsha Aguon

Hālau Hula Nā Mamo o Kaleinani. Photo Courtesy: Marsha Aguon

Hālau Hula Kauluokalā. PC: Marsha Aguon

Mr. Hula Maui:
1st: Dustin Pōmaika‘i Kaleiopu / Hālonaikeohokapalai / Kumu Hula Pōmaika‘i Krueger / (Hale‘iwa, O‘ahu) Photo Courtesy

This year’s judges were Iwalani Kalima, Shane Kamakaokalani Herrod, Ulalia Woodside and Keali‘i Reichel. Each is a kumu hula with award winning hālau, and renowned for their contributions to Hawaiian culture.

Awardees, by division:

Ms. Hula Maui
1st: Wailohia Sula / Hālau o Ka Hanu Lehua / Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona / (Wailuku, Maui)
2nd: Tyra Mauka‘a Fonseca / Ka Pā Hula o Kauanoe o Wa‘ahila / Kumu Hula Maelia Lobenstein Carter / (Kaimuki, O‘ahu)

Mr. Hula Maui:
1st: Dustin Pōmaika‘i Kaleiopu / Hālonaikeohokapalai / Kumu Hula Pōmaika‘i Krueger / (Hale‘iwa, O‘ahu)
2nd: Edward Kalanikini Maxwell Juan / Pukalani Hula Hale / Kumu Hula Hi‘ilei Maxwell-Juan / (Pukalani, Maui)

Group Kahiko Wahine:
1st: Hālau Hula Nā Mamo o Kaleinani / Kumu Hula Seiko Kaleinanikauikawēkiu Okamoto / (Shibuya, Japan)
2nd: Nani Ola Hawaiian Dance Company / Kumu Hula Kanani Pharr-Cadaoas / (Las Vegas, Nevada)

Group Kahiko Kane:
1st: Hālau o Ka Hanu Lehua / Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona / (Wailuku, Maui)

Group ‘Auana Wahine
1st: Hālau Hula Nā Mamo o Kaleinani / Kumu Hula Seiko Kaleinanikauikawēkiu Okamoto / (Shibuya, Japan)
2nd: Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka o Uka / Kumu Hula Nāpua Greig-Nakasone / (Kula, Maui)

Group ‘Auana Kane
1st: Hālau o Ka Hanu Lehua / Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona / (Wailuku, Maui)

Kupuna
1st: Hālau Hula Kauluokalā / Kumu Hula Uluwehi Guerrero / (Kahului, Maui)
2nd: Hālau Hula Nā Mamo o Kaleinani / Kumu Hula Seiko Kaleinanikauikawēkiu Okamoto / (Shibuya, Japan)

Special Awards:

Palikumaikalewalani Oli Award (recognizes the hālau that exhibits excellence in oli): Ka Pā Hula o Kauanoe o Wa‘ahila /Kumu Hula Maelia Lobenstein Carter / (Kaimuki, O‘ahu)

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 / Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona / (Wailuku, Maui)

Leianaikaroselaniomaui Award (recognizes the hālau that exhibits overall excellence in hula): Hālau Hula Kauluokalā / Kumu Hula Uluwehi Guerrero / (Kahului, Maui)

The ‘Ōlelo Makuahine Award (recognizes the hālau that exhibits excellence in Hawaiian Language use): Hālau Hula Nā Mamo o Kaleinani / Kumu Hula Seiko Kaleinanikauikawēkiu Okamoto / (Shibuya, Japan)