LIHU‘E — “Last year it was a Pavao.” Those words Thursday night from the announcer at the 35th Annual Queen Lili‘uokalani Keiki Hula Competition on O‘ahu ignited the fans of Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala, said Tammy Pu‘u, a halau
LIHU‘E — “Last year it was a Pavao.” Those words Thursday night from the announcer at the 35th Annual Queen Lili‘uokalani Keiki Hula Competition on O‘ahu ignited the fans of Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala, said Tammy Pu‘u, a halau parent and dancer for the halau.
LIHU‘E — “Last year it was a Pavao.”
Those words Thursday night from the announcer at the 35th Annual Queen Lili‘uokalani Keiki Hula Competition on O‘ahu ignited the fans of Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala, said Tammy Pu‘u, a halau parent and dancer for the halau.
Jaedyn Pavao was named the 2010 Miss Keiki Hula following the solo competition that opened the annual event coordinated by the Kalihi-Palama Culture and Arts Society, at the Neal Blaisdell Center Arena in Honolulu.
The announcement of the title puts Jaedyn in the footsteps of Breeze Ann Pavao, who earned the title during last year’s competition.
Breeze had her time in the spotlight, being joined by last year’s Master Keiki Hula in doing a tribute to George Naope, kumu Rae Fonseca and Malia Craver, Pu‘u said in an e-mail.
Reygan Agcaoili finished as fourth runner-up in the 2010 Master Keiki Hula competition, Agcaoili being the first kane hula entry by the Kalaheo halau.
“Both our dancers did such a great job and we are very proud of both Jaedyn and Reygan,” Pu‘u said.
Prior to leaving for Honolulu and the competition, kumu Leina‘ala took Jaedyn on a helicopter tour so she could experience the awesome power of the Manawaiopuna Falls, the namesake of the number she performed in the solo competition.
“That tour worked because it came through in her dance,” Pu‘u said.
Following Jaedyn, Chaunte Dela Cruz of Halau Kala‘akeakauikawekiu was named first runner-up, Kala‘iakea Greig of Halau Na Lei Kaumaka o Uka was named second runner-up, Leimana Pu‘u of Halau Kekuaokala‘au‘alailiahi was named third runner-up, and Emily Mapa of Keolalaulani Halau Olapa O Laka was presented the fourth-runner-up trophy.
Luke Maghanoy of Halau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi was named the 2010 Master Keiki Hula with Brandan Cabigon of Halau Hula Olana getting the first-runner-up trophy. Cameron Reimer of Halau Hula ‘o Hokulani was named second runner-up and Quinn Nakahara of Joan S. Lindsey hula studio getting the third-runner-up award.
Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala wraps up the competition today with the group ‘auana presentation starting at 1 p.m. at the Blaisdell Center.
Leina‘ala Pavao Jardin is the kumu hula.
• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
