#Carmen Hulu Lindsey Leo Ha‘iha‘i Falsetto Contest

The 4th Annual Carmen Hulu Lindsey Leo Ha‘iha‘i Falsetto Contest took place on Friday evening at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, honoring the art of leo ha‘iha‘i (Hawaiian falsetto) and celebrating Hawai‘i’s musical traditions. The event crowned its fourth Falsetto Champion, Kellysa-Michiko Namakaokalani Pau‘ole of Waikapū, Maui.

Both contests honor the legacy and artistry of two of Maui’s most beloved musical treasures—Richard Hoʻopiʻi and Carmen Hulu Lindsey—while nurturing the next generation of falsetto performers.

The 3rd Annual Carmen Hulu Lindsey Leo Ha‘iha‘i Falsetto Contest took center stage on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, celebrating the unique Hawaiian tradition of leo ha‘iha‘i and crowned its third Falsetto Champion Leimana Kaleinamanu Purdy of Kula, Maui.

Festivals of Aloha has announced its 2024 theme, “Ka Laʻi o Hauola – The Calm of Hauola,” honoring the revered Pōhakuohauola (Hauola Stone) of Lahaina, a historic symbol of healing and restoration. As Maui Nui communities continue to recover from the devastating wildfires of Aug. 8, 2023, this year’s theme reflects the collective hope for peace and comfort, echoing the stone’s ancient legacy of health and renewal, organizers said.

An impressive feast of friendship, food, music, dance, and vocals will be on display at the much-anticipated Celebration of Island Tastes and Carmen Hulu Lindsey Leo Ha‘iha‘i Falsetto Contest.