Maui Matsuri Contest Winners Announced

Organizers of the 18^th Annual Maui Matsuri Festival, which took place on Sat., May 5 2018 have announced the winners of the festival contests. Contests, which provided hands-on experiences related to the culture of Japan, included art, video gaming, cosplay, and the always popular eating contests featuring Sam Sato Saimin and Iwamoto Natto.

The Maui Matsuri Festival honors Japanese culture and traditions with its theme of “Kodomo No Tame Ni” (for the sake of the children). This year’s celebrations were especially significant, as they coincided with the 150^th anniversary of the gannenmono, or “first year folk.”

The organizers of Maui Matsuri extend their gratitude to all of the competitors and a warm congratulations to the winners of the event’s competitions. Winners are as follows:

Traditional Art Contest

Grades 3-5

First Place: Tyton Takahashi

Second Place: Teagan Roush

Grades 6-8

First Place: Sydney Rebugio

Second Place: Nayela Roush

Grades 9-12

First Place: Amanda Caires

Second Place: Frances Camille

Third Place: Skylar Masuda

Manga Art Contest

Grades 3-5

First Place: Leilani Tuttle

Second Place: Elli Kowalik

Third Place: Aeriel

Grades 6-8

First Place: Rachel Takamiya

Second Place: Thi Mavis

Third Place: Sean Sakamoto

Grades 9-12

First Place: Maria Patrocinio

Second Place: Sophia Dahlen

Third Place: Victoria Teoh

Cosplay Showcase (sponsored by Kawaii Kon)

First Place: Joseph Perreira-Boteilho (Boy Valentine – original)

Second Place: Kaimana Riel (Star Guardian Ezreal – League of Legends)

Third Place: Brian Patague (Ugandan Knuckles – VR Chat)

Hallway Cosplay

Adult Division

First Place: Brian Patague (Ugandan Knuckles – VR Chat)

Second Place: Kaimana Riel (Star Guardian Ezreal – League of Legends)

Third Place: Joseph Perreira-Boteilho (Boy Valentine – original)

Student Division

First Place: Elli Kowalik (Chara – Undertale)

Video Gaming Contest 

Puyo Puyo Tetris Tournament

First Place: Mario Navarro “Mariyo Tree”

Second Place: Kurt Chichioco “Misaki”

Third Place: Sebastian Navarro “Luigi Sappling”

Natto Eating Contest presented by Iwamoto Natto Factory

Children’s Division

First Place: Ryunosuke Hattori

Second Place: Isabella Omura

Third Place: Jaimelee Felipe

Adult Division

First Place: Wilson Leong

Second Place: Tan Altinbay

Third Place: Jervin Nishimura

Saimin Eating Contest presented by Sam Sato

Children’s Division

First Place: Isabella Omura

Second Place: Jaimelee Felipe

Third Place: Michael Kalalau

Adult Division

First Place: Keven Matillano

Second Place: Dean Omura

Third Place: Barry Kurasaki

The 2018 Maui Matsuri was made possible by the generous support of the Japanese Cultural Society of Maui, County of Maui, Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Island Honda, IBEW Local 1186, Maui Taiko, and UH Maui College. A full list of event sponsors can be found at www.mauimatsuri.com.