Winners announced for 20th Annual Kū Mai Ka Hula Competition

The winners have been announced for the 20th Annual Kū Mai Ka Hula Competition, held on Saturday, Sept. 12 in the Castle Theater at Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Award-winning hālau from Maui, Hawaiʻi, Kaua‘i, and the continental US shared their finest performances in front of an enthusiastic audience and a group of prestigious judges. There were a total of six 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 Kaponoʻai Molitau, and Kumu Hula Ulalia Woodside Lee. Each is a kumu hula with award winning hālau, and renowned for their contributions to Hawaiian culture.

The 2026 Kū Mai Ka Hula final awardees are as follows, by division:

• Mr. Hula Maui:
  • 1st: Loʻikena Yamamoto / Hālau Ka Pā Hula o Hīnano / Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro

• Ms. Hula Maui:
  • 1st: Piʻilaniwahine Kaʻeo / Hālau Hula Kauluokalā / Nā Kumu Hula Uluwehi Guerrero / Kaui Krueger
  • 2nd: Ceanna-Lei Kaʻiulani Batin Kaui / Hālau Ka Pā Hula o Hīnano /Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro

Group Kahiko Wāhine:

• 1st: Hālau Nāwehiokaipoaloha / Kumu Hula Ipolei Lindsey-Asing
• 2nd: Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka / Kumu Hula Nāpua Silva

Group ‘Auana Wāhine

• 1st: Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka / Kumu Hula Nāpua Silva
• 2nd: Hālau Nāwehiokaipoaloha / Kumu Hula Ipolei Lindsey-Asing

Group ‘Auana Kūpuna

• 1st: Hālau Ka Pā Hula o Hīnano / Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro
• 2nd: Hālau Ka Ua Tuahine / Kumu Hula Māhealani Uchiyama

SPECIAL AWARDS:

• Palikūmaikalewalani Oli Award (recognizes the hālau that exhibits excellence in oli):
  • Hālau Nāwehiokaipoaloha / Kumu Hula Ipolei Lindsey-Asing
• 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 Ka Pā Hula o Hīnano / Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro
• Leianaikaroselaniomaui Award (recognizes the hālau that exhibits overall excellence in hula):
  • Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka / Kumu Hula Nāpua Silva
• The ‘Ōlelo Makuahine Award (recognizes the hālau that exhibits excellence in Hawaiian Language use by ho‘opa‘a (accompanist) and musician):
  • Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka / Kumu Hula Nāpua Silva
• The Mele Aloha Award: (recognizes the Mr. or Ms. Hula Maui entry that exhibits excellence in their research paper)
  • Loʻikena Yamamoto / Hālau Ka Pā Hula o Hīnano / Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro