LIHU‘E n Ten hula halau and dancing groups from the islands of Maui, O‘ahu, Kaua‘i and Japan competed and exhibited powerful hula performances for three days at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort ballroom. At the solo finale and awards ceremony Saturday,
LIHU‘E n Ten hula halau and dancing groups from the islands of Maui, O‘ahu, Kaua‘i and Japan competed and exhibited powerful hula performances for three days at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort ballroom. At the solo finale and awards ceremony Saturday, Sept. 29, winners by categories included:
Kahiko Nei:
Solo Opio Kane: First place, Allen Saniatan.
Solo Opio Wahine: 1. Jayna Shaffer. 2. Journey Evangelista, 3. Yukino Ueda.
Group Kaikamahine: 1. Na Hui O Kamakaokalani, 2. Na Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala, 3. Na Pua Mai Ka Lani.
Group Keiki Kane: 1. Halau Na Pua Mai Ka Lani
Group Wahine: 1. Na Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala, 2. Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine, 3. Beamer Solomon Halau O Poohala
Group Kane: 1. Halau Ka Lehua Tuahine
Group Auana:
Kupuna: 1. Ka Hula O Hawai‘i, 2. Hula Na Pua Lilia O Ka‘amaikalani, 3. Pomaika‘Ikalani
Hui / Ohana: 1. Marriott Waiohai Beach Resort in Poi’pu/Makana Lei Aloha, 2. Hui O Ha‘a Hula, 3. Ka Liko Lehua
Kaikamahine: 1. Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala, 2. Na Hui O Kamakaokalani, 3. Na Pua Mai Ka Lani
Wahine: 1. Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala, 2. Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine, 3. Na Pua Mai Ka Lani
Keiki Kane: 1. Na Pua Mai Ka Lani
Kane: 1. Halau Ka Lehua Tuahine
Solo Auana:
Opio Kane: 1. Allen Saniatan
Opio Wahine: 1. Jayna Shaffer, 2. Journey Evangelista, 3. Yukino Ueda
Kupuna Mokihana Hula: 1. Diane Miguel, 2. Betty Weichhart, 3. Toyoe Suzuki
Mrs. Mokihana Hula: 1. Charlene Steuri, 2. Christy Tanehiro, 3. Toriann Saniatan
Mr. Hula Auana: 1st place: Lyle Pajo
Special Awards for the dances in the Kahiko Nei category:
Award for Best Choreography: Kumu Hula, Leina’ala Pavao
Hawaiian Language Award: Kumu Hula, Ka‘ilihiwa Vaughan
Special Awards for the dances in the Auana category:
Award for Best Choreography: Kumu Hula, Setsuko Terenuma
Award for Best Music: Halau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine
Trophies and cash prizes of more than $8,000 were awarded. Donors included: Elaine Babcock, Ruth Dell, Joy and Stewart Bradshaw, Mr. Miyato of Taiko Maru, Kenui Aloha Greeters, Barbara Chang Rico, Mary Jane Coila, Joyce Wisekopf, Marvin Tung Loong, Gwen Hanna and family, Lily Yamamoto, Jill and Masami Kouchi, James Auwai, Aipoalani Family, Paul and Avi Linda Weinstein, Sharon Vea, David Murray, William Brown, Rama Kete, Mkaere Taitoko, Bounty Music, T&R Trophies and Puanani Rogers. Sponsors of 2007 Kaua‘i Mokihana Festival include: Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, County of Kaua‘i Office of Economic Development, County of Kaua‘i Anti-Drug Program Grant, QLCC, A&B Foundation, Kukui‘ula Development Co., Hawaiian Airlines, ResortQuest at Makaiwa, Taiko Maru, Kaua‘i Historical Society and SW Wilcox Foundation.
Kauai Mokihana Festival is coordinated by the Malie Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the perpetuation of Hawaiian culture.