Results: 2023 Kū Mai Ka Hula competition

Winners have been announced for the 16th Annual Kū Mai Ka Hula Competition, held on Saturday, Sept. 9 in Castle Theater at Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Award-winning hālau from Maui, Kaua‘i and Japan 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.

The 2023 Kū Mai Ka Hula final awardees are as follows, by division:

Mr. Hula Maui:

• 1st: Tyson Kekoa Tango /Hālau Ka Pā Hula O Hinano/ Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro
• 2nd: Okuto Horiuchi /Hālau Hula Mānaiakalani Iāpana/ Nā Kumu Hula Kapono & Kanoenani Kamaunu

Group Kahiko Kāne:

• 1st: Hālau Ka Pā Hula O Hinano/ Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro

Group Kahiko Wāhine:

• 1st: Hālau ʻO Kealani/ Yukiko Minami
• 2nd: Hālau Keʻala Kahinano O Puna/ Kumu Hula Joy Keōpūolani Salvador

Group ‘Auana Kāne

• 1st: Hālau Ka Pā Hula O Hinano/ Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro

Group ‘Auana Wāhine

• 1st: Hālau ʻO Kealani/Yukiko Minami
• 2nd: Hālau Keʻala Kahinano O Puna/Kumu Hula Joy Keōpūolani Salvador

Group ‘Auana Kūpuna

• 1st: Hālau ʻO Kealani/Yukiko Minami
• 2nd: Hālau Hula ʻO Mehanaokala/Kuʻulei Hashimoto
• 3rd: Hālau Hula I Kona Mau Lima/Kumu Hula Kēhaulani Kaneholani-Santiago

Special Awards:

• Palikūmaikalewalani Oli Award (recognizes the hālau that exhibits excellence in oli): Hālau Ka Pā Hula O Hinano/Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro
• 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 Hinano/Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro
• Leianaikaroselaniomaui Award (recognizes the hālau that exhibits overall excellence in hula): Hālau Ka Pā Hula O Hinano/Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro
• ‘Ōlelo Makuahine Award (recognizes the hālau that exhibits excellence in Hawaiian Language use by ho‘opa‘a (accompanist) and musician): Hālau Hula I Kona Mau Lima/Kumu Hula Kēhaulani Kaneholani-Santiago

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 Iwalani Kalima, Kumu Hula Ulalia Woodside, Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona, and Kumu Hula Cody Pueo Pata. Each is a kumu hula with award winning hālau, and renowned for their contributions to Hawaiian culture.