LIHU‘E — The kane performers of Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala finished the weekend with a third place and a second place at the 35th annual Queen Lili‘uokalani Keiki Hula Competition on O‘ahu. The Kaua‘i participants returned Sunday after the
LIHU‘E — The kane performers of Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala finished the weekend with a third place and a second place at the 35th annual Queen Lili‘uokalani Keiki Hula Competition on O‘ahu.
The Kaua‘i participants returned Sunday after the event wrapped up Saturday at the Neal Blaisdell Center in Honolulu. .
Headed by Reygan Agcaoili, the kane performers from the Kalaheo-based halau under kumu hula Leina‘ala Pavao Jardin were chasing an Aiea-based halau, Halau Hula Olana headed by Olana and Howard Ai.
“It was unreal,” said Tammy Pu‘u, a halau parent and dancer. “In the kahiko, our kane got third with Halau Hula Olana getting second. In the ‘auana group, they got first and our kane was second.”
Pu‘u said this is the first time Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala has entered the kane division, adding they are proud of the performances by all the dancers.
“We were thinking of bringing the kane last year, but we had only five boys,” Jardin said on their return from the O‘ahu competition. “But after we came back from the competition, four more boys registered. They are still dancing so this year we said we would give the kane a shot.”
Jardin said that proved to be a joy with the kane placing in all phases of the competition.
“I’m very pleased with all of our dancers,” she said.
Halau Hula Olana went on to be named the overall Keiki Kane winners.
“They are a good halau,” Jardin said, “and this year’s keiki hula competition was their 30th anniversary so we’re happy for them.”
Agcaoili finished as fourth runner-up in the Master Kane Hula competition and also earned one of 10 special individual awards.
“This is the first year the kane got to compete and all of the boys are just excited,” said Shawn Hunadi, whose son Luke is one of the kane dancers.
Jaedyn Pavao, who won the Miss Keiki Hula competition on Thursday night, anchored Ka Lei Mokihana kaikamahine performers. The kaikamahine did not make the top five group performances, Friday, but rebounded to a fourth place finish in the group ‘auana performances, Saturday.
As in the group kane performances, the kaikamahine were edged out by Halau Hula Olana.
Halau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi of Wailuku, Maui, topped the group kahiko in the kane division, Friday night, followed by Halau Hula Olana and Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala.
“What really surprised us is the level of this year’s competition literally went through the roof,” Jardin said. “Everyone was so good. The competition was really tough.”
Halau Na Lei Kaumaka O Uka of Kula, Maui, topped the group kahiko in the kaikamahine division, Friday.
Halau Hula Olana topped the group ‘auana, kane division, Saturday followed by Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala and Hula Halau ‘O Leilani of Chigasaki, Japan.
Another Japanese halau, Ilima Mahipua Lemi Hula Studio, also in Chigasaki, Japan, topped the group ‘auana, kaikamahine division, Saturday, followed by Halau Hula ‘O Hokulani, Halau Hula Olana, and Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala.
Halau Na Lei Kaumaka O Uka of Kula headed up the group kahiko competition, kaikamahine division, Friday.
“When Breeze (last year’s Miss Keiki Hula) and I were in Japan, we saw the halau perform,” Jardin said. “They were good … This is the first time a Japanese halau has earned the top honor and we’re happy for them.”
The performances will be aired on KITV 4 at 6:30 p.m., July 23 and 24.
