Winners announced for 18th Annual Kū Mai Ka Hula competition

The winners have been announced for the 18th Annual Kū Mai Ka Hula Competition, held on Friday, Sept. 12 and Saturday, Sept. 13 in Castle Theater at Maui Arts & Cultural Center.

Award-winning hālau from Hawai‘i, Japan, and the continental US shared performances in front of an enthusiastic audience and a group of prestigious judges. There were a total of eight participating hālau this year.

Kū Mai Ka Hula is presented annually by Kauahea Inc, a nonprofit organization founded by Hōkūlani Holt to support Hawaiian arts and culture, in connection with the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.

The judges were Kumu Hula Taupori Tangarō, Kumu Hula Shane Kamakaokalani Herrod, Kumu Hula Cody Pueo Pata, and Kumu Hula Ulalia Woodside Lee. Each is a kumu hula with an award-winning hālau and is renowned for their contributions to Hawaiian culture.

The 2025 Kū Mai Ka Hula final awardees are as follows, by division:

Mr. Hula Maui:

1. Dave Kawika Punio / Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua / Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona
2. Shayce Kuakapuokalaniakea Dalire-Naʻauao / Keolalaulani Hālau ʻOlapa O Laka /Kumu Hula Keolalaulani Dalire

Ms. Hula Maui:

1. Cierra Mei-Ling Hauʻolimaikalani Kawaʻa / Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua / Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona
2. Kehaulani Kaleikaumaka Meaʻiʻomakamae Rubonal /Keolalaulani Hālau ʻOlapa O Laka / Kumu Hula Keolalaulani Dalire

Group Kahiko Kāne:

1. Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua / Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona
2. Hālau Pā Hula o Hīnano / Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro

Group Kahiko Wāhine:

1. Nā Pualei o Likolehua / Kumu Hula Niuli`i Heine
2. Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua / Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona

Group ‘Auana Kāne

1. Hālau Ka Pā Hula o Hīnano / Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro
2. Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua / Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona

Group ‘Auana Wāhine

1. Hālau Ka Pā Hula o Hīnano / Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro
2. Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua / Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona

Group ‘Auana Kūpuna

1. Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua / Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona
2. Hālau o Lilinoe / Kumu Hula Lilinoe Kaio

Special awards:

• Palikūmaikalewalani Oli Award (recognizes the hālau that exhibits excellence in oli): Nā Pualei o Likolehua / Kumu Hula Niuliʻi Heine
• 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 / Kamaka Kukona
• Leianaikaroselaniomaui Award (recognizes the hālau that exhibits overall excellence in hula): Hālau ʻO Kealani / Yukiko Minami
• The ‘Ōlelo Makuahine Award (recognizes the hālau that exhibits excellence in Hawaiian Language use by ho‘opa‘a (accompanist) and musician): Hālau o Lilinoe / Kumu Hula Lilinoe Kaio
• The Mele Aloha Award: (recognizes the Mr. or Ms. Hula Maui entry that exhibits excellence in their kahiko and ʻauana research papers) Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua / Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona