LIHU‘E — Halau Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala with Kumu Hula Leina‘ala Pavao Jardin and her entourage of alaka‘i, came home with the pahu for being announced the top Kaikamahine at the Queen Lili‘uokalani Keiki Hula that wrapped up on Saturday.
The halau and its accompanying entourage of parents and family supporters were met at Lihu‘e Airport with thunderous applause and screams of cheer on Sunday afternoon after performing at the Keiki Hula, which commemorated the 186th anniversary of Queen Lili‘uokalani’s birth.
In the absence of any published official results by press deadline, the Kalaheo-based halau, and its 33 performers finished as the top performing halau in the Kahiko, or ancient or traditional, competition held on Friday at the Neal Blaisdell Center in Honolulu.
According to information provided by a halau supporter, Halau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala finished the ‘auana, or contemporary, phase in second place on Saturday.
Tapua McKeague and Maiau Karratti, the two soloist hula performers, finished fourth and third places, respectively on Thursday. McKeage finished the competition for Miss Keiki Hula in fourth place and Karratti finished his bid for Master Keiki Hula in third place.
In its 45th year of competition for keiki ages 6 through 12 years old, this year’s three-day competition featured 18 participating halau from throughout the state, and in some years, even as far away as Japan.
Through its growth over the 45 years, the Keiki Hula as risen to the level of the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival because of the similar awards presented and judging involved in the competition. The only difference being the Keiki Hula is for keiki.
Presented by the Kalihi-Palama Culture &Arts Society, a future television broadcast of the three-day event is scheduled.
The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Kamehameha Schools are some of the leading sponsors of the Queen Lili‘uokalani Keiki Hula.
