Keiki Hula Champs Selected at Maui’s 2016 Hula O Nā Keiki

November 13, 2016, 11:48 AM HST
* Updated November 13, 1:43 PM

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The spirit of hula filled Kāʻanapali Beach Hotel as it celebrated its 26th annual Hula O Na Keiki competition held on November 11-12. After a two day event where the talents and cultural knowledge of young dancers from all over the world were tested, the hotel announced its talented winners of the Hula O Nā Keiki children’s competition.

Kāʻanapali Beach Hotel proudly recognizes the following 2016 Hula O Nā Keiki winners:

Overall Wahine Award
Jaelynn Marie Kalea Nobriga, 16
Kumu- Uluwehi Guerrero
Hālau- Hālau Hula Kauluokalā

Overall Kāne Award
Justin Kalani Brache, 17
Kumu- Kealiʻi Ceballos
Hālau- Hālau Hula Kealiʻi O Nālani

ʻOpio Wahine Hula
Sanoe Kuumilimili Lee, 16
Kumu- Lilinoe Lindsey
Hālau- Ka Pā Nani O Lilinoe

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Keiki Wahine Hula

1st Jacqueline Kamakaokahiwalani Concepcion, 11
Kumu – Joan S. Lindsey
Hālau – Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio

2nd Demi Mahealani Clark, 11
Kumu – Joan S. Lindsey
Hālau – Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio

Overall Music

The Music Award
Hālau Hula Kauluokalā

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Kumu- Uluwehi Guerrero

For the song: Lovely Hula Girl, Kūhio Beach

OLI AWARDS

ʻOpio Wahine Oli
Jaelynn Marie Kalea Nobriga, 16
Kumu- Uluwehi Guerrero
Hālau- Hālau Hula Kauluokalā

ʻOpio Kāne Oli
Justin Kalani Brache, 17
Kumu- Kealiʻi Ceballos
Hālau- Hālau Hula Kealiʻi O Nālani

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Keiki Wahine Oli
Hoʻohieokala Yoshiko Ann Luna-Beamer, 12
Kumu- Uluwehi Guerrero
Hālau- Hālau Hula Kauluokalā

Keiki Kāne Oli
Bronson Kekoahoʻomalukuikaponookanohoaliʻi Masayuki Yee, 11
Kumu – Joan S. Lindsey
Hālau – Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio

COSTUME & ADORNMENT AWARDS

Keiki Kahiko
Hoʻohieokala Yoshiko Ann Luna-Beamer, 12
Kumu- Uluwehi Guerrero
Hālau- Hālau Hula Kauluokalā

ʻOpio Kahiko
Jaelynn Marie Kalea Nobriga, 16
Kumu- Uluwehi Guerrero
Hālau- Hālau Hula Kauluokala

Keiki ʻAuana
Anela Chew, 9
Kumu- Lilinoe Lindsey
Hālau- Ka Pā Nani O Lilinoe

ʻOpio ʻAuana
Grace Veda Golis-Bautista, 14
Kumu – Joan S. Lindsey
Hālau – Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio

Keiki Pālua
Bronson Kekoahoʻomalukuikaponookanohoaliʻi Masayuki Yee, 11
Kumu – Joan S. Lindsey
Hālau – Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio

Jacqueline Kamakaokahiwalani Concepcion, 11
Kumu – Joan S. Lindsey
Hālau – Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio

ʻOpio Pālua
Justin Kalani Brache, 17
Kumu- Kealiʻi Ceballos
Hālau- Hālau Hula Kealiʻi O Nālani

Keri Kahokuliʻiliʻi Tanaka, 14
Kumu- Kealiʻi Ceballos
Hālau- Hālau Hula Kealiʻi O Nālani

INTERVIEW AWARDS

Keiki Interview
Hoʻohieokala Yoshiko Ann Luna-Beamer, 12
Kumu- Uluwehi Guerrero
Hālau- Hālau Hula Kauluokalā

ʻOpio Interview
Jaelynn Marie Kalea Nobriga, 16
Kumu- Uluwehi Guerrero
Hālau- Hālau Hula Kauluokalā

The Akoni Akana Kumu Award, identifying the kumu who best demonstrates the value of Poʻokela in preparing for Hula O Nā Keiki, was awarded to Kumu Uluwehi Guerrero. Hālau Hula Kauluokalā was the recipient of the Friends of Mokuʻula scholarship, which works to further each individual’s education in Hawaiian culture.

“Congratulations to all of the 2016 Hula O Nā Keiki winners and participants for their admirable accomplishments and hard work in honoring ancient Hawaiian tradition,” said Mike White, General Manager of Kāʻanapali Beach Hotel. “We are grateful to our participating kumu (teachers), haumana (students), esteemed judges, staff, volunteers, sponsors and the local community for their support.”

Children aged nine to 17 entered as soloists or pālua (boy and girl pairs) and performed kahiko (ancient) and ʻauana (modern) hula styles that reflect both traditional and personal interpretations of competition songs. Dancers were judged on their style of chanting, interpretation of the dances and cultural appropriateness of costumes and adornments. Contestants were also scored through individual interviews with a thoughtful panel of judges, who observed their take on dance, costume selection including adornments, and the proper use of the Hawaiian language. 11 contestants competed in their respective categories for coveted awards and titles, and the chance to win nearly $14,145 in cash and prizes.

This year’s participating Hālau included: Hālau Hula Kauluokalā, Kumu Uluwehi Guerrero; Hālau Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio, Kumu Joan S. Lindsey; Hālau Ka Pā Nani O Lilinoe, Kumu Lilinoe Lindsey; Hālau Kealiʻi O Nālani, Kumu Kealiʻi Ceballos. The esteemed judges were: Head Judge Hōkūlani Holt, Kehaulani Kekua; Kaponoʻai Molitau; Shane Kamakaokalani Herrod; Joy Haunani Paredes; Ulalia Woodside; Kealiʻi Reichel. In addition, the 2016 Mistress of Ceremonies was Ekela Kaniaupio-Crozier, a title she has held since nearly a decade.

To complement the children’s hula competition, weekend festivities at the hotel included a Hawaiian Festival of Arts and Crafts, cultural and hula workshops and Hawaiian entertainment including Pahu Making & Drumming Basics by Pono Murray, and a Hula Implements Workshop by Kaui Krueger (2010 Master Hula O Nā Keiki Winner). Hula O Nā Keiki concludes with Sunday Brunch at The Tiki Terrace and live entertainment.

Established by the staff of Kāʻanapali Beach Hotel in 1990, Hula O Nā Keiki promotes awareness and perpetuates Hawaiian culture through music and dance. Hotel and employees and community members volunteer their time for the event, many of which were former Hula O Nā Keiki participants themselves.