Winners announced from the 2010 International Hula Competition, Ku Mai Ka Hula

The 2010 Kū Mai Ka Hula International Hula Competition brought an array of colors, music, chant and dance to Castle Theater at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center last weekend.  Hālau from Maui, O‘ahu and Fujisawa, Japan graced the stage with moving examples of all that we enjoy about hula.  This was the fifth year of the competition held annually at the MACC.

Taking home the new perpetual trophy, named the Leianaikaroselaniomaui Award, which is for excellence in dancing was Hālau I Ka Wekiu under the direction of Kumu Hula Karl Veto Baker and Michael Lanakila Casupang of Pauoa on O‘ahu.  The other new perpetual trophy was the Maui Nui Award, which is awarded to the hālau with the highest total number of points.  Maui Nui Award was won by Hālau I Kona Mau Lima under the direction of Kumu Hula Ualani Smith of Lahaina.  The solo division for Mr. Hula Maui was won by Kaimana Domingo of Hālau I Ka Wekiu (above) and the solo division for Ms. Hula Maui was won by Ashley Leonahenahe Tamanaha of Hālau Hi‘iakaināmakalehua (below).

Those who had the unenviable job as judges of the competition were Kumu Hula Leiana Long Woodside and La‘akapu Lenchanko of O‘ahu along with Tangarō from Hilo, Hawai‘i.  Their combined years of hula and expertise in Hawaiian culture provided the knowledge needed to evaluate each hālau. They also provided comments and insights to the Kumu Hula to help in their future endeavors.

Hālau that were new to the competition included Hālau Hi‘iakaināmakalehua from Honolulu under the direction of Kumu Hula Robert Ke‘ano Ka‘upu and Lono Padilla and Hālau Hula O Nā Lehua O Laka with Kumu Hula Naomi Nakagawa of Fujisawa, Japan.  Rounding out the participating hālau list was Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona with Hālau O Ka Hanu Lehua and KumuHula Pono and Leimomi Murray with Hālau Nāwaipunalei.

One of the touching moments during the day was the recognition and introduction of Kumu Hula Akoni Akana of O‘ahu and formerly of Maui, who established this competition several years ago when he directed the Friends of Moku‘ula and Maui Nei Native Expeditions.  Kū Mai Ka Hula is now under the direction of Kumu Hula Hōkūlani Holt of Kauahea, Inc. who is also Director of Cultural Programs at Maui Arts & Cultural Center and Kumu Hula Pali Ahue, Cultural Programs Assistant at the MACC.