Thirteen women between the ages of 18 and 25 took the stage Thursday night at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo to vie for Miss Aloha Hula, the most prestigious title a solo hula dancer can earn.
The solo wahine event is the first of three nights in the 61st Annual Merrie Monarch Festival hula competition — known as the “Super Bowl” or “Olympics” of hula.
Miss Aloha Hula 2024 was crowned Thursday evening later than West Hawaii Today’s print deadline.
The results and additional photos can be found on the Hawaii Tribune-Herald’s website at www.hawaiitribune-herald.com.
All 13 Miss Aloha Hula competitors danced a hula kahiko (ancient hula) and hula ‘auana (modern hula) as seven judges evaluated their performances.
Miss Aloha Hula 2023, Agnes Renee Leihiwahiwaikapolionamakua Thronas Brown of Ka La ‘Onohi Mai O Ha‘eha‘e, took the last dance of her reign as the judges’ scores were tabulated to determine her successor as the Merrie Monarch’s chief ambassador for the following year.
The Oahu halau has entered Ka‘onohikaumakaakeawe Kananiokeakua Holokai Lopes, the younger daughter of na kumu hula Tracie and Keawe Lopes. The Lopeses have been the kumu for the last three Miss Aloha Hulas, including their older daughter, Pi‘ikea Kekiihenelehuawewehiikekau‘onohi Lopes, who won the coveted crown in 2022.
The younger Lopes danced her hula kahiko to “Aia Ka Lani Kua Ka‘a I Luna,” a mele hula ‘olapa, or chant from the late royalty period, venerating the peaceful abode of royalty nestled safe beside the sacred pool of Anianiku.
Her hula ‘auana mele was “Kanani Holokai,” a ho‘oheno, song of endearment, composed for George Ainsley Kananiokeakua Holokai, known as “Uncle George,” a beloved and well-respected kumu hula, chanter and judge.
Only one of the 13 wahine dancers represented a Big Island halau — Chianti “Kiki” Kamailekaluhea Motta of Halau Ka Lehua Pua Kamaehu, under the direction of na kumu hula Kasie Puahala Kaleohano and Brandi Nohelani Barrett.
Motta’s hula kahiko mele was “Hoe Ke‘ehi ‘Ale O Na Hilo,” a mele composed to name and commemorate various surf spots that were frequented by our kupuna, or elders.
Her hula ‘auana mele was “Ho‘oheno No Keaukaha,” composed by Hawaiian music star Kuana Torres Kahele — who accompanied Motta musically — to celebrate the Hawaiian homestead area of Keaukaha, its community and the natural beauty of the area.
The other 11 competitors Thursday night were:
• Lihau ‘Imaikalani Ichinose of Halau I Ka Wekiu, na kumu hula Karl Veto Baker and Michael Lanakila Casupang;
• Nicole Mei Lan Kakeihiwaokeali‘iokaloa Takamine of Pua Ali‘i Ilima, na kumu hula Vicky Hanaka‘ulaniokamamalu Holt and Jeffrey Kanekaiwilani Takamine;
• Shayla Angeline Kamalei Ballesteros of Halau Na Lei Kaumaka O Uka, kumu hula Napua Silva;
• Ke‘ala Kaleinaniho‘opulakaumakamauloa Cabison-Kaho‘onei of Halau Lilia Makanoe, kumu hula Shelsea Lilia Ai;
• Amadée Niamh Kauakohemalamalama Conley-Kapoi of Halau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi, na kumu hula Haunani and ‘Iliahi Paredes;
• Heleolanimainamakaoha‘ena Hailee Jo Yokotake of Halau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala, kumu hula Leina‘ala Pavao Jardin;
• Kayla Sachi Celades of Halau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine, kumu hula Ka‘ilihiwa Vaughan-Darval;
• Kamalupawehi Abad of Na Pualei o Likolehua, kumu ula Niuli‘i Heine;
• Lilia Asayo McCabe Takahashi of Halau Hi‘iakainamakalehua, na kumu hula Robert Ke‘ano Ka‘upu IV and Lono Padilla;
• Nahaku‘elua ‘Apuakehau Kekauoha of Hula Halau ‘O Kamuela, na kumu hula Kunewa Mook and Kau‘ionalani Kamana‘o;
• Caly Ann Kamo‘iwahineokaimana Ragonton Domingo of Halau Na Mamo O Pu‘uanahulu, na kumu hula William Kahakuleilehua Haunu‘u “Sonny” Ching and Lopaka Igarta-De Vera.
The festival continues today.
The schedule is:
9 a.m.-5 p.m.: Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Arts and Crafts Fair at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium
10 a.m. and 1 p.m.: Hawaiian lecture and/or performance at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center
11 a.m.: Halau I Ka Leo Ola O Na Mamo, na kumu hula Pelehonuamea and Kekoa Harman at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium
Noon: Halau Na Pua O Uluhaimalama, kumu hula Emery Aceret at Grand Naniloa Hotel
1 p.m.: Halau Ha‘a Kea O Kinohi, kumu hula Paul Neves at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
6 p.m.: Group Hula Kahiko Competition at Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium.
For those not fortunate enough to score a ticket to see the competition live, all three nights will be telecast on K5, channels 6 and 1006 on Spectrum and Hawaiian Telcom in Hawaii, and online worldwide at MerrieMonarch.com.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.