Pōʻai Lincoln wins title at 5th Annual Carmen Hulu Lindsey Leo Haʻihaʻi Falsetto Contest

The beautiful and distinctive sounds of Hawaiian wahine falsetto filled the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea on Friday evening as the 5th Annual Carmen Hulu Lindsey Leo Haʻihaʻi Falsetto Contest celebrated another remarkable year of Hawaiian music, language and cultural excellence.

Pōʻai Lincoln, originally from Hawaii Island, was crowned the 2026 champion following her captivating performance of “Kimo Hula.” Lincoln earned 384 points, rising to the top of a talented field of contestants representing Maui, Oʻahu, Utah, and Japan.

The competition honors the traditional Hawaiian vocal technique known as leo haʻihaʻi, characterized by the skillful and expressive breaking of vocal notes. More than a singing competition, the event celebrates the preservation and perpetuation of a treasured Hawaiian musical art form, encouraging a new generation of performers to embrace the beauty of Hawaiian language, storytelling, and song.

The contest is a signature event of Festivals of Aloha, a cultural celebration with roots in the more than 75-year legacy of Aloha Week and Aloha Festivals. This year’s festivities feature more than 20 events throughout Maui Nui, bringing Hawaiian traditions, entertainment, and community gatherings to Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and Hāna.

The 2026 Festivals of Aloha theme, “Ea Mai Ke Kai Mai — Rise Up from the Sea,” was selected by Kumu Hula Cody Pueo Pata and reflects the importance of Hawaiʻi’s relationship with the ocean, its resources, and the responsibility to care for them. The theme complements Governor Josh Green’s designation of 2026 as the Year of Our Coastal Kuleana, while also recognizing two significant milestones in Hawaiian history: the 50th anniversary of Hōkūleʻa’s historic maiden voyage to Tahiti and the 50th anniversary of the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana.

2026 Contest Results

Champion — Pōʻai Lincoln

384 points | “Kimo Hula”

Lincoln received an impressive collection of awards and prizes, including:

• A commemorative ʻumeke award
• A handcrafted lei hulu by Leo Meyer of Hulunani
• $600 cash sponsored by Honua Consulting and Ulu A Paeahu
• A gift from Kamaka Kukona Designs
• A featured performance opportunity at the Festivals of Aloha Winter Showcase at Keauhou Shopping Center on Hawaiʻi Island
• A MANAOLA Hawaiʻi gift package
• A Kanileʻa Koa Tenor ʻukulele with travel case, valued at $2,600
• Round-trip airfare for two aboard Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines

Second Place — Eva Kapaleʻiliahiokauʻilani Adolpho Kaʻōnohi

381 points | 4 tiebreaker points | “Eclipse”

Kaʻōnohi received a commemorative ʻumeke and $400 cash sponsored by Honua Consulting and Ulu A Paeahu.

Third Place — Avyanna McPeek-Batlin

381 points | “Alika”

McPeek-Batlin received a commemorative ʻumeke and $200 cash sponsored by Honua Consulting and Ulu A Paeahu.

Hawaiian Language Award — Tie

Two contestants achieved perfect scores of 120 points in the Hawaiian language category:

• Pōʻai Lincoln
• Avyanna McPeek-Batlin

Their outstanding achievement reflects the importance of Hawaiian language proficiency, proper pronunciation, and a deep understanding of the mele they perform. In recognition of their perfect scores, both Lincoln and McPeek-Batlin were awarded a luxurious two-night stay in an oceanfront room at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, complete with breakfast for two at the resort’s acclaimed DUO Steak & Seafood restaurant. 

A Celebration of Talent Across the Pacific

This year’s competition welcomed a diverse group of performers, each bringing their own interpretation, musical style, and heartfelt connection to Hawaiian mele.

The 2026 contestants included:

• Pōmaikaʻi Mailani Me Kealoha Jones
• Allegra Alohilani Althea Kauo — Kīhei, Maui
• Namaka Cosma — Makawao, Maui
• Brittney Latayada — Kahului, Maui
• Eva Kapaleʻiliahiokauʻilani Adolpho Kaʻōnohi — St. George, Utah
• Maki Rickard — Pukalani, Maui, and Japan
• Jazlyn Noelani Dawn Miyamura — Mililani, Oʻahu
• Avyanna McPeek-Batlin — Honolulu, Oʻahu
• Pōʻai Lincoln — Honolulu, Oʻahu

The evening’s distinguished panel of judges brought decades of experience in Hawaiian music, language, and performance. Judges included Carmen Hulu Lindsey, serving as overall judge; Raiatea Helm and Nāpua Silva, judging musical presentation; and Kahulu Maluo Pearson and Carlson Kamaka Kukona III, evaluating Hawaiian language.

The evening was emceed by Luana Kawaʻa, whose warmth and connection to Hawaiian culture helped guide the celebration.

Every contestant was recognized for their participation and dedication to the art of leo haʻihaʻi, receiving special makana generously provided by MANAOLA Hawaiʻi, Kamaka Kukona Designs, Big Island Candies, and PinchHitter Hawaiʻi LLC.

“It was incredibly exciting to welcome nine contestants from across Hawaiʻi, the continent, and Japan to Maui to celebrate the beautiful art of Hawaiian wahine falsetto,” said Daryl Fujiwara, Executive Director of Festivals of Aloha. “The level of talent this year was truly remarkable. You could see just how competitive the field was, with scores separated by only a few points and two contestants earning perfect scores in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. That speaks volumes about the dedication, preparation, and deep respect these performers have for our language, music, and culture. It’s inspiring to see this treasured Hawaiian tradition embraced by talented voices from near and far, ensuring that leo haʻihaʻi continues to thrive for generations to come.”

The contest proudly bears the name of Carmen “Hulu” Lindsey, an accomplished Hawaiian entertainer, recording artist, and longtime advocate for Hawaiian culture, language, and community.

Lindsey has represented Maui as a Trustee of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs since January 2012 and has been actively involved in organizations including ʻAhahui Kaʻahumanu and the Central Maui Hawaiian Civic Club.

Her distinguished musical career includes receiving the 2014 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for Female Vocalist of the Year for her album A He Leo Wale Nō E. She has also contributed her voice to numerous recording projects and compilations, including her performance of “Ka Wai ʻO ʻEleʻile” on the album Lei Nāhonoapiʻilani.

Through this annual contest, Lindsey’s contributions to Hawaiian music continue to inspire emerging performers while creating a meaningful platform for the preservation of wahine falsetto.

The Carmen Hulu Lindsey Leo Haʻihaʻi Falsetto Contest is more than an evening of competition. It is a celebration of cultural continuity, connecting generations through mele and honoring the artistry of those who came before while nurturing those who will carry the tradition forward.

Sponsors and Partners

The 5th Annual Carmen Hulu Lindsey Leo Haʻihaʻi Falsetto Contest was made possible through the generous support and partnership of:

County of Maui, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Town & Country Floral, TLC Limo, Kanileʻa ʻUkulele, Hulunani, Keauhou Shopping Center, Kamaka Kukona Designs, Honua Consulting, Old Lahaina Lūʻau, Papa Ola Lōkahi, Nā Puʻuwai, Hui No Ke Ola Pono, KPOA 93.5 FM, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Ledcor Maui, MANAOLA Hawaiʻi, Big Island Candies, Wailea Community Association, Paeahu.org, ʻĀina Momona, and the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Native Hawaiian Relations.

Festivals of Aloha extends its heartfelt mahalo to the contestants, judges, musicians, sponsors, volunteers, and community members whose commitment and generosity continue to make this cultural celebration possible.

To learn more about the Carmen Hulu Lindsey Leo Haʻihaʻi Falsetto Contest, upcoming Festivals of Aloha events, or opportunities to support the continuation of this treasured tradition, visit festivalsofaloha.com.