#sonny ching

Ka Lā ‘Ōnohi Mai O Ha‘eha‘e under the direction of Nā Kumu Hula Tracie & Keawe Lopes of Oʻahu took the overall title at the 60th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival, in Hilo Hawaiʻi. From Maui, the seven men of Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi, under the direction of Nā Kumu Hula Haunani & ʻIliahi Paredes of Wailuku, took first place honors in the kāne kahiko and earned 4th place in the kāne ʻauana division. Their combined effort earned them the Overall Kāne title for the second year in a row. From Maui, the seven men of Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi, under the direction of Nā Kumu Hula Haunani & ʻIliahi Paredes of Wailuku, took first place honors in the kāne kahiko and earned 4th place in the kāne ʻauana division. Their combined effort earned them the Overall Kāne title for the second year in a row.

The 2019 winners were: Marcus William Kamakanamakamaeokeakua Nichols and Haily Kamakahukilani Nāwahine Nascimento, both of Hālau Nā Mamo o Puʻuanahulu, under the direction of nā kumu William Kahakuleilehua Sonny Ching and Lopaka Igarta DeVera on Oʻahu.

The 2018 Miss Hula O Na Keiki title went to Nadia Kūkahiliokeawepē Nascimento of Hālau Nā Mamo O Puʻuanahulu under the direction of Lōpaka Igarta DeVera and Sonny Ching.

The 53rd Annual Merrie Monarch Hula Festival concluded early this morning, with Hālau Nā Mamo O Puʻuanahulu, under the direction of Nā Kumu Hula William Kahakuleilehua “Sonny” Ching and Lōpaka Igarta-De Vera taking the overall title.