Montalvo, Kawa‘a Win Titles in Maui’s 2012 Hula O Nā Keiki

Overall Kane Award: Kamaehu Kamauliola Hālaulani Kamālie Kawa‘a, 14 of Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi, Nā Kumu ‘lliahi & Haunani Paredes. Courtesy photo.

By Wendy Osher

Two dancers from Maui hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi, under the direction of Nā Kumu ‘lliahi & Haunani Paredes, won the overall titles in this year’s Hula O Nā Keiki  competition held over the weekend at the Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel.

Sixteen-year-old Corrie-Lynn Montalvo won the Wahine Overall Award, as well as 1st place in the ʽŌpio Wahine division for both hula and ʽoli, ʽŌpio Auana division for costume and adornment, and the wahine interview award.

In the kāne division, Kamaehu Kawa‘a was the overall winner, taking honors in the ʽŌpio kāne hula and ʽoli divisions, as well as the ʽŌpio kahiko costume and adornment category.

The event, which was held for a 22nd time, featured children ages five to 17 who competed to win nearly $14,000 in cash and prizes.

A total of 15 participants competed as soloists or pālua (boy and girl pairs).

Titles were awarded for kahiko or ancient, and ‘auana or modern hula divisions.

Dancers were also judged on their style of chanting, interpretation of the dances and cultural appropriateness of costumes and adornments, as well as interviews in which they expressed their thoughts on the dances they chose and proper use of the Hawaiian language.

The complete list of Hula O Nā Keiki winners includes the following:

Overall Wahine Award: Corrie-Lynn Ku‘uipo Okalani Montalvo, 16 of Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi, Nā Kumu ‘lliahi & Haunani Paredes

Overall Kāne Award: Kamaehu Kamauliola Hālaulani Kamālie Kawa‘a, 14 of Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi, Nā Kumu ‘lliahi & Haunani Paredes

ʽŌpio Wahine Hula:

• 1st, Corrie-Lynn Ku‘uipo Okalani Montalvo, 16 of Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi, Nā Kumu ‘lliahi & Haunani Paredes
• 2nd, Krysta Santos, 14 of Hālau Hula Kauluokalā, Kumu Uluwehi Guerrero
• 3rd, Noelle Guerrero, 16 of Hālau ‘O Kaululaua‘e, Kumu Mikiala M. Lidstone

Overall Wahine Award: Corrie-Lynn Ku‘uipo Okalani Montalvo, 16 of Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi, Nā Kumu ‘lliahi & Haunani Paredes. Courtesy photo.

ʽŌpio Kāne Hula:

• 1st, Kamaehu Kamauliola Hālaulani Kamālie Kawa‘a, 14 of Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi, Nā Kumu ‘lliahi & Haunani Paredes
• 2nd, Joby Kamaileokana‘auao Faris, 15 of Hālau Hula ‘O Kawaiho‘omalu, Kumu Kūkaho‘omalu Souza

Keiki Wahine Hula:

• 1st, Grace Golis-Bautista, 10 of Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio, Kumu Joan S. Lindsey.
• 2nd, Lahela Ho‘okela Medina Maio, 11 of Hālau ‘O Kaululaua‘e, Kumu Miki‘ala M. Lidstone
• 3rd, Aona Morita, 10 of Ka Pā Ha‘a O Napuaonipoa, Kumu Kalani Na‘ahi‘ena‘ena Po‘omaihealani

Keiki Kāne Hula:

• 1st, Tannon Michael Kekupuloaokamililani Kim, 10 of Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio, Kumu Joan S. Lindsey

Overall Music:  Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi, Nā Kumu ‘lliahi & Haunani Paredes

ʽŌpio Wahine ‘Oli:

• 1st, Corrie-Lynn Ku‘uipo Okalani Montalvo, 16 of Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi, Nā Kumu ‘lliahi & Haunani Paredes
• 2nd, Ki‘ini Kahaone Ka‘io-Perez, 16 of Hālau Hula ‘O Kawaiho‘omalu, Kumu Kūkaho‘omalu Souza
• 3rd, Alexis Joan Lindsey Peterson, 17 of Ka Pā Nani ‘O Līlīnoe, Kumu Līlīnoe Lindsey

ʽŌpio Kāne ‘Oli:

• 1st, Kamaehu Kamauliola Hālaulani Kamālie Kawa‘a, 14 of Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi, Nā Kumu ‘lliahi & Haunani Paredes
• 2nd, Joby Kamaileokana‘auao Faris, 15 of Hālau Hula ‘O Kawaiho‘omalu, Kumu Kūkaho‘omalu Souza

Keiki Wahine ‘Oli

• 1st, Grace Golis-Bautista, 10 of Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio, Kumu Joan S. Lindsey
• 2nd, Lahela Ho‘okela Medina Maio, 11 of Hālau ‘O Kaululaua‘e, Kumu Miki‘ala M. Lidstone
• 3rd, Camille Kāhealani Nae‘ole, 11 of Ka Pā Nani ‘O Līlīnoe, Kumu Līlīnoe Lindsey

Keiki Kāne ‘Oli:

• 1st, Tannon Michael Kekupuloaokamililani Kim, 10 of Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio, Kumu Joan S. Lindsey

ʽŌpio Pālua:

• 1st, Ki‘ini Kahaone Ka‘io-Perez & Joby Kamaileokana‘auao Faris of Hālau Hula ‘O Kawaiho‘omalu, Kumu Kūkaho‘omalu Souza

Keiki Pālua:

• 1st Grace Golis-Bautista & Tannon Michael Kekupuloaokamililani Kim of Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio, Kumu Joan S. Lindsey

Costume & Adornment Awards:

• Keiki Kahiko: Tannon Michael Kekupuloaokamililani Kim, 10 of Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio, Kumu Joan S. Lindsey
• ʽŌpio Kahiko: Kamaehu Kamauliola Hālaulani Kamālie Kawa‘a, 14 of Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi, Nā Kumu ‘Iliahi & Haunani Paredes
• Keiki ʽAuana: Tannon Michael Kekupuloaokamililani Kim, 10 of Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio, Kumu Joan S. Lindsey
• ʽŌpio ʽAuana:  Corrie-Lynn Ku‘uipo Okalani Montalvo, 16 of Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi, Nā Kumu ‘lliahi & Haunani Paredes
• Keiki Pālua: Grace Golis-Bautista & Tannon Michael Kekupuloaokamililani Kim, Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio
• ʽŌpio Pālua: Ki‘ini Kahaone Ka‘io-Perez & Joby Kamaileokana‘auao Faris of Hālau Hula ‘O Kawaiho‘omalu, Kumu Kūkaho‘omalu Souza

Interview Awards:

• Keiki Interview: Grace Golis-Bautista, 10 of Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio, Kumu Joan S. Lindsey
• ʽŌpio Interview: Corrie-Lynn Ku‘uipo Okalani Montalvo, 16 of Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi, Nā Kumu ‘lliahi & Haunani Paredes

“We’re thrilled to congratulate our 2012 Hula O Nā Keiki winners and proud of all the children who took part in this year’s competition,” said Mike White, General Manager of Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel in a media statement. “Hula O Nā Keiki is an honored tradition that helps perpetuate and preserve different aspects of the Hawaiian culture that we love to share with our guests, community and family alike,” said White.

Hula O Nā Keiki was established by the staff of Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel in 1990 to promote awareness and perpetuates Hawaiian culture through music and dance.