Merrie Monarch Results: Miss Aloha Hula 2019

By Wendy Osher

The Miss Aloha Hula portion of the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival concluded last night with 23-year-old Taizha Keakealani Hughes-Kaluhiokalani taking the 2019 title at the 56th annual event at the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium in Hilo. She dances for Hālau Hiʻiakaināmakalehua of Oʻahu under the direction of kumu hula Robert Keʻano Kaʻupu IV and Lono Padilla (formerly of Maui).

She performed her kahiko (ancient-style) hula to Ke Kāʻele Ulu O Ke Kapu Līloa to the accompaniment of pahu. It paid tribute to her lineage and genealogy.  She wore a brilliant red colored gown with a lauhala bodice while dancing to the love song ʻAkahikuleana A Ka Piko for her ʻauana (modern-style) hula.

Hughes-Kaluhiokalani also won the Hawaiian Language Award, earning a total score of 1,130 points.

First runner-up was Lindsey Kahiehielaunaʻole Miwa Ching, Ka La ʻOnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe.  Ching performed her kahiko to Nani Wale Ka Liko; and her ʻauana to Pua Male.

Second runner-up was Maui’s Kaʻimilani Marie Corpuz of Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi, under the direction of Haunani and ʻIliahi Paredes.  She performed her kahiko hula to Aia I Ka ʻŌpua Kō Lei Nani; and ʻOhai Aliʻi Kaluhea for her ʻauana hula.

Also competing from Maui was Kalena Kawohikūkapulani Young Hoʻopiʻi, representing Hālau O Ka Hanu Lehua under the direction of kumu Kamaka Kukona.  She wore a floor length fushia colored gown, adorned with vibrant lei ʻilima, and performed to Nani Helena for her ʻauana selection.

Also last night, Maui’s Shalia Kapuau’ionalani Kikuyo Kamakaokalani of Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka performed a farewell hula after winning the title last year.

The Merrie Monarch Festival continues with the group kahiko tonight and the group ʻauana on Saturday, followed by results and awards. The event is being carried live on KFVE Ch. 1022 and 22 is being streamed online.

Miss Aloha Hula Results: 

• Miss Aloha Hula 2019: Taizha Keakealani Hughes-Kaluhiokalani: (1,130) Hālau Hiʻiakaināmakalehua (nā kumu Robert Keʻano Kaʻupu IV and Lono Padilla)
• First Runner-Up: Lindsey Kahiehielaunaʻole Miwa Ching: (1,119) Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe (nā kumu Tracie and Keawe Lopes)
• Second Runner-Up: Kaʻimilani Marie Corpuz: (1,114) Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi (nā kumu Haunani and ʻIliahi Paredes)
• Third Runner-Up: Shirell Kuʻupuamakamae Holokai Paro: (1,088) Hālau Nā Mamo O Puʻuanahulu (nā kumu William Kahakuleilehua Haunuʻu Sonny Ching/Lōpaka Igarta-DeVera)
• Fourth Runner-Up: Alyssa Ayumi Kaʻimilani Dolbeare: (1,075) Hula Hālau ʻO Kamuela (nā kumu Kunewa Mook & Kauʻionālani Kamanaʻo)

Miss Aloha Hula 2019, Taizha Keakealani Hughes-Kaluhiokalani representing Hālau Hiʻiakaināmakalehua under the direction of kumu Robert Keʻano Kaʻupu IV and Lono Padilla. Hula: Ke Kāʻele Ulu O Ke Kapu Līloa. Photo credit: Merrie Monarch Festival.

Miss Aloha Hula 2019, Taizha Keakealani Hughes-Kaluhiokalani representing Hālau Hiʻiakaināmakalehua under the direction of kumu Robert Keʻano Kaʻupu IV and Lono Padilla. Hula: ʻAkahikuleana A Ka Piko. Photo credit: Merrie Monarch Festival

Second Runner-Up, Kaʻimilani Marie Corpuz representing Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi under the direction of kumu Haunani and ʻIliahi Paredes. Hula: ʻOhai Aliʻi Kaluhea. Photo credit: Merrie Monarch Festival.

Second Runner-Up, Kaʻimilani Marie Corpuz representing Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi under the direction of kumu Haunani and ʻIliahi Paredes. Hula: Aia I Ka ʻŌpua Kō Lei Nani. Photo credit: Merrie Monarch Festival.

Kalena Kawohikūkapulani Young Hoʻopiʻi representing Hālau O Ka Hanu Lehua under the direction of kumu Kamaka Kukona. Hula: Nani Helena. Photo credit: Merrie Monarch Festival.

Kalena Kawohikūkapulani Young Hoʻopiʻi representing Hālau O Ka Hanu Lehua under the direction of kumu: Kamaka Kukona. Hula: Ka Laulā o Wailuku. Photo credit: Merrie Monarch Festival.

First Runner-Up, Lindsey Kahiehielaunaʻole Miwa Ching representing Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe under the direction of kumu Tracie and Keawe Lopes. Hula: Nani Wale Ka Liko. Photo credit: Merrie Monarch Festival.

Third Runner-Up, Shirell Kuʻupuamakamae Holokai Paro representing Hālau Nā Mamo O Puʻuanahulu under the direction of kumu William Kahakuleilehua Haunuʻu Sonny Ching/Lōpaka Igarta-DeVera. Hula: Aia I Nuʻuanu Kou Lei Nani. Photo credit: Merrie Monarch Festival.

Fourth Runner-Up: Alyssa Ayumi Kaʻimilani Dolbeare representing Hula Hālau ʻO Kamuela under the direction of kumu Kunewa Mook and Kauʻionālani Kamanaʻo. Hula: Aloha Wale Hoʻi ʻOlua E Nā Wāhine Ē. Photo credit: Merrie Monarch Festival.