Halau shines at Merrie Monarch

Kauai’s halau, Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala, placed fifth in wahine ‘Auana Saturday night at the 56th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival’s hula competition at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo.

Led by Leina‘ala Pavao Jardin, Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala scored 581 points to finish near the winner, Halau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi, Haunani and ‘Iliahi Parades, 589 points

Oahu’s Hula Halau ‘O Kamuela took home the top honors. The halau, under the direction of na kumu hula Kau‘ionalani Kamana‘o and Kunewa Mook scored 1190 points in the combined wahine hula kahiko (women’s ancient hula) on Friday night and wahine hula ‘auana (women’s modern hula) on Saturday night.

With the victory for the halau from Kalihi and Waimanalo comes the coveted Lokalia Montgomery Perpetual Trophy.

In second place, with 1174 points, was Halau Na Mamo ‘O Pu‘uanahulu of Kapahulu, Oahu, under the direction of na kumu hula William Kahakuleilehua Haunu‘u “Sonny” Ching and Lopaka Igarta-De Vera.

In third place overall was Halau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi of Wailuku, Maui, under the direction of na kumu hula Haunani and ‘Iliahi Parades, with 1172 points.

The kane (men’s) overall winner, with 1163 points, was Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka La of Honolulu, under the direction of kumu hula Kaleo Trinidad. The halau also took top honors in kane hula kahiko.

Here are the results from the 56th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival Hula Competition at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo

• Overall

1. Hula Halau ‘O Kamuela, Kau‘ionalani Kamana‘o and Kunewa Mook, 1190 points

2. Halau Na Mamo ‘O Pu‘uanahulu, William Kahakuleilehua Haunu‘u “Sonny” Ching and Lopaka Igarta-De Vera, 1174 points

3. Halau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi, Haunani and ‘Iliahi Parades, 1172 points

• Wahine Overall

1. Hula Halau ‘O Kamuela, Kau‘ionalani Kamana‘o and Kunewa Mook, 1190 points

2. Halau Na Mamo ‘O Pu‘uanahulu, William Kahakuleilehua Haunu‘u “Sonny” Ching and Lopaka Igarta-De Vera, 1174 points

3. Halau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi, Haunani and ‘Iliahi Parades, 1172 points

• Kane Overall

1. Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka La, Kaleo Trinidad, 1163 points

2. Kawaili‘ula, Chinky Mahoe, 1160 points

3. Halau Hula ‘O Kahikilaulani, Nahokuokalani Gaspang, 1157 points

• Wahine Kahiko

1. Hula Halau ‘O Kamuela, Kau‘ionalani Kamana‘o and Kunewa Mook, 602 points

2. Halau Na Mamo ‘O Pu‘uanahulu, William Kahakuleilehua Haunu‘u “Sonny” Ching and Lopaka Igarta-De Vera, 597 points

3. Halau Mohala ‘Ilima, Mapuana de Silva, 594 points

4. Halau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi, Haunani and ‘Iliahi Parades, 583 points

5. Ka La ‘Onohi Mai O Ha‘eha‘e, Tracie and Keawe Lopes, 574 points

• Kane Kahiko

1. Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka La, Kaleo Trinidad, 594 points

2. Kawaili‘ula, Chinky Mahoe, 590 points

3. Halau Na Mamo ‘O Pu‘uanahulu, William Kahakuleilehua Haunu‘u “Sonny” Ching and Lopaka Igarta-De Vera, 573 points

4. Kawai‘ulaokala, Keli‘iho‘omalu Puchalski, 570 points

• Wahine ‘Auana

1. Halau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi, Haunani and ‘Iliahi Parades, 589 points

2. Hula Halau ‘O Kamuela, Kau‘ionalani Kamana‘o and Kunewa Mook, 588 points

3. Hi‘iakainamakalehua, Robert Ke‘ano Ka‘upu IV and Lono Padilla, 587 points

4. Halau I Ka Wekiu, Karl Veto Baker and Michael Lanakila Casupang, 583 points

5. Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala, Leina‘ala Pavao Jardin, 581 points

• Kane ‘Auana

1. Halau Hula ‘O Kahikilaulani, Nahokuokalani Gaspang, 598 points

2. Halau Na Mamo ‘O Pu‘uanahulu, William Kahakuleilehua Haunu‘u “Sonny” Ching and Lopaka Igarta-De Vera, 574 points

3. Kawai‘ulaokala, Keli‘iho‘omalu Puchalski, 571 points

4. Kawaili‘ula, Chinky Mahoe, 570 points
Source: The Garden Island