Winners of the ninth annual Moku O Keawe International Hula Festival were announced Nov. 8 to an enthusiastic audience at the Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort. The three-day event showcased competitions among 15 halau from Hawaii and Japan and also featured Hawaiian cultural workshops and an extensive made-in-Hawaii market place. Dancers spanned ages 13 to 54, performing in solo and group categories and portraying hula kahiko and hula auwana styles.
Kupuna wahine pakahi Waikoloa winners were: first place, Hula Studio Malulani; second place, Kuu Pua Lehua Nani; third place, Hula Studio Na Lei O Hoku.
Kupuna wahine halau winners were: first place, Halau Hula O Kawaimaluhia; second place, Ke Ala O Ke Ao Cultural Arts Studio; third place, Halau Hula O Makalapua.
Makua pakahi Waikoloa winners were: First place, Halau Hiiakainamakalehua; second place, Halau O Kawaimaluhia; third place, Halau O Makalapua.
Wahine solo, Miss Hula Pakahi Waikoloa winners were: first place, Caitlin Kaopuiki of Halau Hiiakainamakalehua; second place, Aleahnani Makuakane of Halau O Ka Hanu Lehua; third place, Fumi Hirakata of Halau Pukamaikala.
Wahine halau winners were: first place, Halau Hiiakainamakalehua, Na Kumu Hula Robert Kaupu and Lono Padilla; second place, Halau O Ka Hanu Lehua, Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona; third place, Ke Ala O Ke Ao Cultural Arts Studio, Na Kumu Hula Kahikina Ah Sing and Kalani Ah Sing.
For more information about the event or its sponsor, the Moku O Keawe Foundation, visit mokif.com.