Kepa Revelle-Aikala wins 24th Richard Ho‘opi‘i Leo Ki‘eki‘e Falsetto Contest

Kepa Revelle-Aikala of Pukalani captured first place at the 24th Annual Richard Ho‘opi‘i Leo Ki‘eki‘e Falsetto Contest, held Saturday, Sept. 19, at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua as part of the resort’s 34th Celebration of the Arts.

Seven talented vocalists took the stage for an evening dedicated to perpetuating the distinctive traditions of Hawaiian falsetto singing and honoring the legacy of the late Uncle Richard Ho‘opi‘i. Revelle-Aikala earned the championship with his heartfelt rendition of the Hawaiian classic “Koali.”

The competition was exceptionally close, with first place ultimately determined by the contestants’ music scores after a tie in both overall and ʻōlelo scores.

“For first place, we actually had a tie in both the overall scores and the ʻōlelo scores, so the deciding factor came down to the music score with confirmation from our head judge,” shared Daryl Fujiwara, coordinator of the contest. “It really speaks to where our language is today. So many of our keiki and young adults have been raised in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, and we’re seeing that strength and confidence carried onto the stage through mele. That is something worth celebrating.”

Revelle-Aikala serves as a Hawaiian Language Communications Specialist with the Maui County Office of Council Services and is passionate about bringing the ʻike and moʻolelo preserved in Hawaiian-language newspapers back into everyday community life.

In addition to taking first place, Revelle-Aikala received the Hawaiian Language Award, presented by The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, which included a two-night Deluxe Ocean View stay with breakfast at Ulana Terrace, valued at $5,350. He was also honored with the Sheldon Keahiawakea Brown Music Award.

First Place — Kepa Revelle-Aikala, Pukalani, Maui

His prize package included:

• Commemorative ʻumeke
• A specialty lei from Native Intelligence
• Kanileʻa Koa Tenor ʻukulele and travel case, valued at $2,600
• Lei hulu by Hulunani by Leo Meyer
• $600 cash from Honua Consulting and Ledcor Maui
• Opportunity to perform at the Festivals of Aloha Winter Showcase at Keauhou Shopping Center on Hawaiʻi Island
• $100 Tiffany’s gift card
• Clip-on ʻukulele tuner and $50 Bounty Music gift certificate
• Two roundtrip tickets to destinations served by Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines throughout Hawaiʻi and North and Central America

Second Place — Kuhaʻokealiʻikauʻikamaʻamaʻama John Murray

Murray received a commemorative ʻumeke, $400 from Honua Consulting, a $100 Tiffany’s gift card, a clip-on ʻukulele tuner and a $30 Bounty Music gift card.

Third Place — Talan Kūaliʻi Akina-Chong

Akina-Chong received a commemorative ʻumeke, $200 from Honua Consulting and Ledcor Maui, a $50 Tiffany’s gift card, a clip-on ʻukulele tuner and a $20 Bounty Music gift card.

Each contestant also received a Big Island Candies gift box and a MANAOLA gift package featuring a travel bag, pareo, pua kenikeni candle and Nā Mea Māori lavalava, along with a copy of ʻOhuʻohu nā Mauna o ʻEʻeka: Place Names of Maui Komohana, authored by Kumu Hula Cody Pueo Pata.

2026 Contestants

• Makoa Puaoi, , Maui — “Kuʻu Lei Hulili”
• Yuto Maezawa, Kyoto, Japan — “Kupa Landing”
• Krissan Kama, Kīhei, Maui — “Kauaʻi Beauty”
• Talan Kūaliʻi Akina-Chong, Kahului, Maui — “ʻOhuʻohu Keʻanae”
• Royden Kahaʻi Sato Jr., Wailuku, Maui — “Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai”
• Kepa Revelle-Aikala, Pukalani, Maui — “Koali”
• Kuhaʻokealiʻikauʻikamaʻamaʻama John Murray, Lahaina, Maui — “He Aloha No ʻO Waiʻanae”

Judges & Contest Team

Head Judge: Cody Pueo Pata
ʻŌlelo Judges: Kīʻope Raymond and Kuʻulei Alcomindras-Palakiko
Music Judges: ʻĀina Asing and Kamaka Kukona
Hostess: Alakaʻi Paleka
House Band: Piʻilani Arias, Kaiolohia Funes Smith and Jacob Dela Nux

Honoring the Legacy of Uncle Richard Ho‘opi‘i

The Richard Ho‘opi‘i Leo Ki‘eki‘e Falsetto Contest was founded to provide amateur falsetto singers with a championship platform while preserving and perpetuating Hawaiʻi’s unique falsetto traditions.

The contest continues to honor the late Richard Ho‘opi‘i, legendary Hawaiian falsetto singer, Nā Hōkū Hanohano and Grammy Award recipient, National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow, and co-founder of the renowned Ho‘opi‘i Brothers.

Past Richard Ho‘opi‘i Leo Ki‘eki‘e Champions

2026 – Kepa Revelle-Aikala, Pukalani, Maui
2025 – Koakāne Mattos, Makawao, Maui
2024 – Antonio Robles, Wailuku, Maui
2023 – Liam Moleta, Honolulu, Oʻahu
2022 – Heuaʻohu Sai-Dudiot, Hilo, Hawaiʻi
2021 – Kamaehu Kawaʻi, Waiehu, Maui
2020 – Contest canceled due to COVID-19
2019 – Ikaika Mendez, ʻUlupalakua, Maui
2018 – Kaulike Pescaia, Kīhei, Maui
2017 – Kason Gomes, Wailuku, Maui
2016 – Greg Juan, Wailuku, Maui
2015 – Kamalei Kawaʻa, Waiehu, Maui
2014 – Grant Kono, Honolulu, Oʻahu
2013 – Micah Hoapili Kuʻaimoku De Aguiar, Kona, Hawaiʻi
2012 – Joshua Noʻeau Kalima, Hilo, Hawaiʻi
2011 – Ezra Kaui Krueger, Maui
2010 – Poʻokela Wood, Maui
2009 – Pomaikaʻi Krueger, Maui
2008 – Kamakani Kiaha, Molokaʻi
2007 – Kapono Naʻiliʻili, Oʻahu
2006 – Kalani Benanua, Lānaʻi
2005 – Hiroshi Okada, Japan
2004 – Kai Ho‘opi‘i, Maui
2003 – Kamaka Fernandez, Maui
2002 – Ramzey Ho‘opi‘i, Maui

Festivals of Aloha Continues Across Maui Nui

The celebration continues this fall with Festivals of Aloha events throughout Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi, Hāna, Wailea and Makawao.

Oct. 3 — Festivals of Aloha: Lānaʻi
The Lānaʻi community celebrates the island’s unique heritage with live entertainment, hula, cultural demonstrations, local crafts and island hospitality at the Four Seasons Lāna‘i from 10am – 5pm

Oct. 9 — Festivals of Aloha: Molokaʻi
Molokaʻi celebrates its rich traditions and enduring culture with Hawaiian music, hula, local food, cultural exhibits and community festivities at the Molokai Community Health Center from 5pm – 9pm

Oct. 17–24 — Festivals of Aloha: Hāna
Hāna hosts a weeklong celebration featuring its beloved parade and hoʻolauleʻa, Hawaiian music and hula, cultural activities, sports, contests, local food, artisans and community events.

Oct. 23–25 — Festivals of Aloha: Wailea
Three evenings of free Hawaiian music and hula will be presented at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, including the Carmen Hulu Lindsey Leo Haʻihaʻi Falsetto Contest on Friday, Oct. 23; Hula is the Heartbeat on Saturday, Oct. 24; and Sounds of the Sea on Sunday, Oct. 25.

Oct. 23–25 — Festivals of Aloha: Makawao
The Oskie Rice Memorial Rodeo celebrates Maui’s paniolo culture with three rodeo performances, beginning with Friday evening’s Bull Bash and continuing with traditional rodeo events Saturday and Sunday.

2026 Festivals of Aloha ribbons are available for $5, with proceeds helping to support Festivals of Aloha events throughout Maui County. Call or text 808-268-9285.

For the latest schedule and event information, visit festivalsofaloha.com and follow Festivals of Aloha on Facebook.