Koakāne Mattos of Makawao wins 23rd Richard Hoʻopiʻi Leo Kiʻekiʻe Falsetto Contest

Koakāne Mattos of Makawao captured the top honor at the 23rd annual Richard Hoʻopiʻi Leo Kiʻekiʻe Falsetto Contest over the weekend with his heartfelt rendition of the Hawaiian classic “Kalamaula.”

Five talented vocalists took the stage at the event, held on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025 at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua.

The evening was a vibrant celebration of Hawaiian culture, honoring the legacy of the late Richard Ho‘opi‘i and perpetuating the cherished art of falsetto singing.

By day, Mattos serves as Cultural Ambassador at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. By night, he is co-Kumu Hula of Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua and a member of the musical groups Kūikawā and Launa‘ole. His passion for music began during his time with the Kamehameha Schools Hawaiian Ensemble.

“Koakāne, who has entered several times before, shared that he embraced the judges’ feedback from past years—transforming it into growth and success that truly shone this time around,” said contest coordinator Daryl Fujiwara. “The experience and feedback are what make this contest so valuable. If you know someone who might be interested, encourage them to apply—or better yet, just give it a try!”

2024 champion Akoni Robles reflected on the challenge: “I’m nervous even though I already won. We carry an enormous kuleana to sing and speak well—people depend on us.”

Koakāne also received the Hawaiian Language Award from The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, which included a two-night Deluxe Ocean View stay with breakfast at Ulana Terrace (a $5,350 value). He was further honored with the Sheldon Keahiawakea Brown Music Award.

As first-place winner, his prize package included:

• A lei hulu by Hulunani, Leo Meyer
• $600 cash from Honua Consulting
• A performance opportunity at the Festivals of Aloha Winter Showcase (Keauhou Shopping Center, Hawai‘i Island)
• $125 Missing Polynesia gift card
• Manaola pareo and gift card
• Two roundtrip tickets from Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines (North/Central America–Hawai‘i routes)
• Premium-grade Kanile‘a Koa Tenor ukulele with case ($2,800 value)
• Two Maui County Fair season passes

Second place: Royden Kahaʻi Sato, Jr. of Wailuku — prizes included $400 cash, commemorative ‘umeke, Manaola Hawai‘i gifts, and Maui County Fair passes.

Third place: Itsuki Ezawa of Chiba, Japan — prizes included $200 cash, commemorative ‘umeke, Manaola Hawai‘i gifts, and Maui County Fair passes.

All contestants receive makana from ʻOhana Hoʻopiʻi, Big Island Candies, a Missing Polynesia travel bag and two one-day passes to the Maui County Fair.

Contestants

• Kanoa Severson (Lahaina, Maui) – Waiulu
• Koakāne Mattos (Makawao, Maui) – Kalamaula
• Royden Kaha‘i Sato, Jr. (Wailuku, Maui) – Kilakila O Maui
• Itsuki Ezawa (Chiba, Japan) – Kīhei
• Krissan Kama (Kīhei, Maui) – Nani Wale Ka Lau Oliva

Judges & Team

• Head Judge: Cody Pueo Pata
• ‘Ōlelo Judges: Kīʻope Raymond, Ku‘ulei Alcomindras-Palakiko
• Music Judges: Ikaika Blackburn, Kamaka Kukona
• Hostess: Alakaʻi Paleka
• House Band: Piʻilani Arias, Kaiolohia Funes Smith, Jacob Dela Nux

Honoring Uncle Richard Hoʻopiʻi

The contest was founded to provide amateur falsetto singers with a championship platform while preserving Hawai‘i’s unique falsetto traditions. It continues to honor the late Richard Ho‘opi‘i—legendary falsetto singer, Nā Hōkū Hanohano and Grammy awardee, NEA Folk Heritage Fellow, and co-founder of the Hoʻopi‘i Brothers.

Past contest winners are posted below:

• 2025 – Koakāne Mattos, Makawao, Maui
• 2024 – Antonio Robles, Wailuku, Maui
• 2023 – Liam Moleta, Honolulu, O‘ahu 
• 2022 – Heua‘ohu Sai-Dudiot, Hilo, Hawai‘i
• 2021 – Kamaehu Kawa‘i, Waiehu, Maui
• 2020 – COVID-19 / Cancelled
• 2019 – Ikaika Mendez, Ulupakakua, Maui
• 2018 – Kaulike Pescaia, Kihei, Maui
• 2017 – Kason Gomes, Wailuku, Maui
• 2016 – Greg Juan, Wailuku, Maui
• 2015 – Kamalei Kawa‘a, Waiehu, Maui
• 2014 – Grant Kono, Honolulu, Oahu
• 2013 – Micah Hoapili Ku‘aimoku De Aguiar, Kona, Hawai‘i
• 2012 – Joshua No‘eau Kalima, Hilo, Hawai‘i
• 2011 – Ezra Kaui Krueger, Maui, Hawai‘i
• 2010 – Po‘okela Wood, Maui, Hawai‘i
• 2009 – Pomaika‘i Krueger, Maui, Hawai‘i
• 2008 – Kamakani Kiaha, Moloka‘i, Hawai‘i
• 2007 – Kapono Na‘ili‘ili, Oahu, Hawai‘i
• 2006 – Kalani Benanua, Lana‘i, Hawai‘i
• 2005 – Hiroshi Okada, Japan
• 2004 – Kai Ho‘opi‘i – Maui, Hawai‘i
• 2003 – Kamaka Fernandez, Maui, Hawai‘i
• 2002 – Ramzey Ho‘opi‘i, Maui, Hawai‘i

Festivals of Aloha continues on to Lāna‘i, Moloka‘i, Hāna, Wailea and Makawao:

• Lāna‘i – Sept. 27 – Parade at 10 a.m., Hoʻolauleʻa to follow with hands on activities, local eats, crafters and live entertainment by Kula Kaiapuni o Lāna‘i, Get Up and Dance Maui, Launa‘ole, the Saul Kahihikolo Trio, and Kumu Hula Uluwehi Guerrero with Hālau Kauluokala
• Moloka‘i – Oct. 10 – Moloka‘i Ho‘olaule‘a at the Community Health Center from 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. with local eats, local buys and entertainment by Hawaiian Style Band, Sons of Yeshua and more.
• Hāna – Oct. 18-25
  • Saturday, Oct. 18 – Hāna Ballpark
    • Hāna Parade and Ho‘olaule‘a: 11 a.m. – Closing, Opening Parade, Crafters Fair: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Music: 1-3 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 19 
    • Keiki/Wahine Shoreline Fishing Tournament:  7 a.m. to noon (Hāna Bay) Weigh-in at 12 p.m. 
    • ‘Ohana Beach Day: Ohana Play Day Games, 12-5 p.m. (Hāna Bay)
  • Monday, Oct. 20 – Hāna Ballpark
    • Sports Night: 3-9 p.m. Hāna Ballpark – Tennis, Volleyball and Cornhole.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 21
    • Teen Night: 6-9 p.m. (Helene Hall) Hosted by Hana Dragons Football Boosters
    • Sports Night: 5-9 p.m. (Hāna Ballpark) Tennis, Volleyball and Cornhole.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 22 – Hāna Ballpark
    • Food Contests: 2:30-5 p.m. – Winner Announced During Talent Show.
    • Hāna Arts’ Annual Talent Show: Registration – 4 p.m., Program – 5 p.m. Six Categories with More Than $2,000.00 in Prize Money.  
  • Thursday, Oct. 23 – Hāna Ballpark
    • Kupuna Luncheon Hāna-Maui Resort: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. 
    • Floral Lei Contest: 5-7 p.m.
    • Hawaiiana Night & Aloha Attire Contests: 5-9 p.m. 
  • Friday, Oct. 24 – Hāna Ballpark
    • Jamboree Night:  6-10 p.m. 
  • Saturday, Oct. 25
    • Cross Country Golf: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Farmers Market Parking Lot)
    • Ho’ike Night: Gates open at 4 p.m. Entertainment from 5-10 p.m. (Hāna Ballpark) 
• Wailea – Four Seasons Resort Maui – Oct. 24-26 All Wailea events are FREE and open to the public! Event Parking – Complimentary off-site parking with roundtrip shuttle service will be available at Wailea Event Parking, located across Monkeypod off of Wailea Ike Drive.
  • Friday Oct. 24 from 4–9:30p.m.
    • Carmen Hulu Lindsey Leo Ha‘iha‘i Falsetto Contest, The first wahine (female) falsetto contest. 
  • Saturday, Oct. 25 from 4–10:30 p.m.
    • Hula is the Heartbeat, A Celebration of Hula featuring Maui’s award-winning hālau hula – Hālau O Ka Hanu Lehua, Hālau Kekuaokala’au’ala’iliahi, Hālau Kauluokala, and Halau Ke`alaokamaile with music by Lim Family
  • Sunday Oct. 26 from 4–9:30 p.m.
    • Sounds of the Sea, watching the sunset and rolling surf dance to the music of Kamaka Kukona, celebrating his release, Kahenewai‘olu.
• Makawao – Oct. 26
  • The Oskie Rice Memorial Rodeo 2025 proudly honors our Paniolo Culture with three rodeo performances in the main arena. The weekend of fun begins on Friday evening with the Bull Bash. Saturday and Sunday will showcase all the traditional rodeo events as well as the VIP Suite Race Car Challenge. Wear your Festivals of Aloha pin and receive a special treat. 

2025 Festival Ribbons are available for $5. Proceeds generated from sale of our ribbons help to produce the events. Please call or text 808-268-9285 or visit Hale Ho‘ike‘ike at the Bailey House.

For the most up to date info visit festivalsofaloha.com.

Sponsors included: County of Maui – Office of Economic Development, Hāna-Maui Resort, Hāna Arts, Old Lahaina Lū‘au, HPM Building Supply, Nāpili Kai Beach Resort, Wailea Resort Association, KPOA 93.5FM, Pacific Media Group, Maui Health, Kanile‘a ʻUkulele, Lahaina Hawaiian Civic Club, Papa Ola Lōkahi, Nā Pu‘uwai, Hui No Ke Ola Pono, Hawaiʻi Petroleum, Keauhou Shopping Center, Kar Mart, Ledcor Maui, American AgCredit, Bacon Universal, Alpha Construction, The Odom Corporation, The Limo Company, Maui Soda & Ice Works, Honua Consulting, Native Intelligence, Goodfellow Bros., Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Hawaii by Storm, Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and the Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua