KEAUHOU — Eighteen halaus from Hawaii and Japan descended upon the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay for the 35th annual Kupuna Hula Festival Wednesday and Thursday evening.
Presented by the County Parks and Recreations Elderly Activities Division as a part of Hawaii Island Festival, this year’s theme was the famous sands of Kahelelani (Niihau) to the fragrant scent of Kamawaelualani (Kauai).
Individual dancers competed Wednesday evening in the Tutu Kane and Tutu Wahine category followed by the International Hoolaulea, a non-competition free-style event.
Thursday brought the Wahine, Kane and Mixed divisions where dancers ranging in age from 55 to 80-plus performed, choosing a song for the Islands of Niihau or Kauai, telling of name places or describing things unique to those islands.
35th Annual Kupuna Hula Festival Winners
Tutu Kane
1st Place: Allen Diorec, Na Kupuna O Moana
2nd Place: Michael Foley, Na Kupuna O Kohala
3rd Place: Makana Makoto Satou, Hula Halau O Pua Loke
Tutu Wahine
1st Place: Haunani Kamakana, Na Kupuna O Moana
2nd Place: Denise Bigelow, Halau Kalaakeakauikawekiu
3rd Place: Natsuko Arai, Ka Pa Hula O Keolananilehua
Kane Division
1st Place: Na Kupuna O Kohala
2nd Place: Na Kupuna O Moana
3rd Place: Hula Halau O Pua Loke
Wahine Division
1st Place: Hula Na Pua Ui O Hawaii
2nd Place: Halau Kala‘akeakauikawekiu
3rd Place: Hula Halau O Kawananakoa
Mixed Division
1st Place: Na Kupuna O Moana
2nd Place: Na Kupuna O Kohala
3rd Place: Hula Halau O Pua Loke
Overall Group Total Points: Na Kupuna O Moana