LIHU‘E — Tiana Kamen was overjoyed when she finally found her lei among the large variety submitted at the Kaua‘i Museum’s 30th Annual Hawaiian Lei Contest, Saturday. “It’s the first lei I entered in this contest,” Kamen said with joy
LIHU‘E — Tiana Kamen was overjoyed when she finally found her lei among the large variety submitted at the Kaua‘i Museum’s 30th Annual Hawaiian Lei Contest, Saturday.
“It’s the first lei I entered in this contest,” Kamen said with joy and surprise.
Kamen’s lei, an edible hat lei made up of assorted vegetables and herbs, earned one of 18 Sponsored Lei awards.
“It’s from the farm and everything is edible except for the raffia,” Kamen said, drawing the approval of Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. who was viewing the offerings with his wife, Regina.
Kamen won the Walter Pomroy “Ka lei I ka Wekiu” award.
Noelani Pomroy, Walter Pomroy’s daughter, finished with three awards in the Sponsored Lei category and added a third place award in the Blue/Purple category.
Happy Tamanaha, a part-time O‘ahu resident, was also a big winner, earning three of the Sponsored Lei category awards and adding a third place in the White/Green category.
Mary Lou Harchis earned the Kaua‘i Beach Resort Award for “Outstanding Lei Maker” and added a first place in the White/Green category.
Marina Pascua was presented the President’s Award for her ti-leaf creation and picked up a second place in the Pink/Red category.
Mahea Kaui was presented the Office of the Mayor award as well as The Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa award, and Manny Rapozo was selected The Ginger Alexander “Most Original” award recipient, the Westside lei maker also getting third in the Orange/Yellow category.
Emma Chidgey was the recipient of The Grace and Lyle Guslander “Aloha Spirit” award and Kirby Guyer, taking second in the Orange/Yellow category, was presented The Peace Award “Makana o Maluhia.”
Pat Finnberg was presented the Kaua‘i Mokihana Mali‘e Foundation “Most Hawaiian” award Angela Olivas, earning second in the Hat Lei category, was awarded The Director’s Choice and The Kaua‘i Aloha Festivals awards.
Elvrine Chow was the recipient of The Anne Punahu Award and also earned first in the Orange/Yellow, second in the Blue/Purple and third in the Pink/Red categories.
Jodi Gardner took first in the Blue/Purple and Pink/Red categories and a second in the Ti Leaf categories.
Denise Cremer topped the Ti Leaf, picked up a second place in the White/Green and a third place in the Hat Lei categories.
Carlina Vea topped the Mixed Colors and pocketed a third place in the Plumeria categories. Nancy Fuertes-Fuller finished tops in the Hat Lei and added a third place in the Mixed Colors categories.
Brandee Melelani Carlos-Kahalekomo got second in the Plumeria category and Janet Kahalekomo, tied up with cultural demonstrations at the Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club May Day celebration, finished third in the Ti Leaf category.
In addition to viewing the numerous lei, which this year was described as being very good in quality by Kaua‘i Museum staff, patrons to the 30th Annual Hawaiian Lei Contest were treated to entertainment which included hula performances by Ha‘aheo Oliver, Miss Garden Isle, and Veronica Pablo, Miss Kaua‘i.
Visitors could also try their hand at creating lei and when the clock struck noon, there were several local offerings by the Hanalei Poi lunchwagon and the Kaiola Canoe Club.
