WAIMEA — Leilani, Rachele and Josie Higashi had one ukulele to share between them, Rachele eventually earning third place in the Kindergarten to 6th Grade division.
That act earned the Higashi girls this year’s Scotty’s Music Award at the 13th annual Ukulele Contest held in conjunction with the 33rd Annual Waimea Town Celebration over the weekend.
“The 3-year-old was so cute,” said Carolyn Newcomb, the Ukulele Contest chair. “Now, the girls can hone their skills for future contests. Thank you, Scotty, for a great pick!”
Newcomb said she really appreciated the generosity of Scotty Shapiro of Scotty’s Music in Kalaheo.
“In these hard economic times, he still provided all the prizes,” Carolyn said.
Kishyla Kua-Saladago took top honors in the K-6th division followed by Harrison La Roche and Rachele.
Joseph Tangalin topped the 7-9th Grade division followed by Elijah Hoapili and Keisha Kilar.
John Medeiros was the top winner in the 10-12th Grade division followed by Axel Mendez and James Paleracio.
Love Kelley topped the Adult Division followed by Greg Madill and Kauai‘iki, the third place winner also placing well in the First Hawaiian Bank Paniolo Hat Lei Contest across the street at the West Kaua‘i Visitor Center.
When all of the participants had plucked and strummed their strings, Medeiros was announced as the overall winner.
“This year, we had a great bunch of ukulele players,” Carolyn said. “They are all getting so good at their craft, really entertaining the audience.”
Carolyn said this year’s contest fielded 22 participants, the most the contest has hosted since its inception.
Committee members Jolina Felix-Keamoai, Joni Keamoai, Brooks Newcomb and Zena McDougall join judges Kumu Doric Yaris, Uncle Elwood Machado and Puni Patrick in being recipients of accolades from Carolyn for their efforts at making this year’s contest a reality.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
