Paredes ‘ohana adds a third trophy to their collection
Submitted by the Kalihi-Palama Culture & Arts Society
The 43rd Annual Queen Lili‘uokalani Keiki Hula competition, held in Honolulu, concluded July 21 after three exciting nights of hula. Maui’s Hālau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi walked off with first place finishes for their Kaikamahine ‘Auana and Keiki Kāne Kahiko performances, as well as taking the Wendell Kalanikapuaenui Silva Overall Perpetual Trophy for their Keiki Kāne.
Photos: Kalihi-Palama Culture & Arts Society
On Thursday night, the 2018 Miss & Master Keiki Hula were crowned after an evening that featured 24 soloists. Rachel Kimura from Hula Hālau ‘O Kamuela became the 2018 Miss Keiki Hula with her performance of Lei Nani Kalaunu. The title of Master Keiki Hula went to 7-year old Justin Paredes of Maui’s Hālau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi. Paredes’ performance of Henehene Kou ‘Aka adds the third Keiki Hula trophy to their family’s collection. Justin’s sister Faith Paredes won the title of Miss Keiki Hula 2015 and his father Brandon Paredes was Master Keiki Hula in 1987. “It felt like I was doing my best and showing the judges that I am Master keiki hula,” said Justin Paredes.
One of the highlights of the weekend was the inaugural presentation of the Miriam Likelike Kekauluohi Achievement Award to Kumu Hula Olana Ai, the founder of Hālau Hula Olana. Ai was joined on stage and in the audience by dozens of her former students in a remarkable display of her hula legacy. “She is so wonderful and to have my name associated with her is another thing that I didn’t do for Keiki Hula, Keiki Hula did for me,” said Ai. “My life is so blessed, I have a special life and you saw all the children who grew up and dancing and I remembered every one when I looked right into their faces.”
Hula title.
Highlights from the 43rd Annual Queen Lili‘uokalani Keiki Hula competition are posted on KFVE Television’s website at www.k5thehometeam.com. The annual competition is supported by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the State Foundation on Culture & the Arts and the City & County of Honolulu. For more information, email info@kpcahawaii.com or visit the website at www.keikihula.org.
43rd Annual Queen Lili‘uokalani Keiki Hula Competition Results:
MISS KEIKI HULA:
- 4th Runner Up – Hailey Symonds – Hālau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi (Maui)
- 3rd Runner Up – Meiya-Lynn Ramos – Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala (Kaua‘i)
- 2nd Runner Up – Taejah Telles-Kuwahara – Hālau Hi‘iakainamakalehua
- 1st Runner Up – Malie Moe – Hālau Ka Liko Pua ‘O Kalaniakea
- Miss Keiki Hula – Rachel Kimura – Hula Hālau ‘O Kamuela
HULA KAHIKO – KAIKAMAHINE DIVISION
- 5th Place – Hālau Ka Liko Pua ‘O Kalaniakea
- 4th Place – Hālau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi (Maui)
- 3rd Place – Hula Hālau ‘O Kamuela
- 2nd Place – Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana ‘O Leina‘ala (Kaua‘i)
- 1st place – Hālau Hi‘iakainamakalehua
Hoakalei Kamau‘u Hula Kahiko Trophy
HULA ‘AUANA – KAIKAMAHINE DIVISION:
- 5th Place – Hula Hālau ‘O Kamuela
- 4th Place – Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala (Kaua‘i)
- 3rd Place – Hālau Hi‘iakainamakalehua
- 2nd Place – Hālau ‘O Na Pua ‘Ala Onaona
- 1st place – Hālau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi (Maui)
Rose Kapulani Joshua Family Hula ‘Auana Perpetual Trophy
KAIKAMAHINE OVERALL WINNER:
Pat Namaka Bacon Overall Perpetual Trophy
- Hālau Hi‘iakainamakalehua
MASTER KEIKI HULA:
- 4th Runner Up – Enaahi Dalire – Hālau ‘Olapa O Laka
- 3rd Runner Up – Zadyn Ka‘aihue – Hālau Hula ‘O Napunaheleonapua
- 2nd Runner Up – Aaron Tomas – Hālau Hula ‘O Hokulani
- 1st Runner Up – Nakoa Tutop – Hālau Hi‘iakainamakalehua
- Master Keiki Hula – Justin Paredes – Hālau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi (Maui)
HULA KAHIKO – KEIKI KĀNE DIVISION
- 3rd Place – Keolalaulani Hālau ‘Olapa ‘O Laka
- 2nd Place – Hālau Hula ‘O Hokulani
- 1st place – Hālau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi (Maui)
Sally Wood Naluai Hula Kahiko Perpetual Trophy
HULA ‘AUANA – KEIKI KĀNE DIVISION:
- 3rd Place – Keolalaulani Hālau ‘Olapa ‘O Laka
- 2nd Place – Hālau Hula ‘O Hokulani
- 1st place – Hālau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi (Maui)
George Lanakilakeikiahiali‘i Na‘ope Hula ‘Auana Perpetual Trophy
KEIKI KANE OVERALL WINNER:
Wendell Kalanikapuaenui Silva Overall Perpetual Trophy
- Hālau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi (Maui)
KAWENA‘ULA SCHOLARSHIP: (Hawaiian Language Award)
- Temaireraurii Santos – Keolalaulani Hālau ‘Olapa ‘O Laka
- Sophia Lafferty – Hālau ‘O Kaululaua’
- Meiya-Lynn Bella Ramos – Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala (Kaua‘i)
- Keli‘a Kang – Hālau Kamaluokaleihulu
MARY KAWENA PUKUI PERPETUAL TROPHY: (Hawaiian Language Award)
Hālau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi (Maui)
MALIA CRAVER PERPETUAL TROPHY: (Hawaiian Language Award)
- Keolalaulani Hālau ‘Olapa O Laka
MIRIAM LIKELIKE KEKAULUOHI KEAHELAPALAPA KAPILI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:
- Olana Ai
WILLIAM PITT LELEIOHOKU II ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:
- Wendell Silva
