Posted on: Sunday, November 21, 2004

Hula dancers from Tokyo win overall award at festival

Advertiser Staff

An out-of-state halau won the overall award at the World Invitational Hula Festival for the first time in the event's 13-year history.

Halau Moanike'ala O Kaulakahi, the hula school led by kumu hula Nalani Keale in Tokyo, received the 'Iolani Luahine Overall Achievement Award at the festival, Nov. 11 to 13 at the Waikiki Shell. The award is given to the group with the top combined score in 'olapa (traditional hula), 'auana (contemporary) and Hawaiian language categories of competition.

Keale also has a Honolulu school, Halau Kaulakahi.

Eleven halau from Hawai'i, New York, California and Japan, including Okinawa, competed in the event, known also by its Hawaiian name, "E Ho'i Mai I Ka Piko Hula (Return to the Source of Hula)."

Here are the other results:

Kuluwaimaka Achievement Award (Hawaiian language award for kane soloists) — Ryan McCormick, Halau O Ka Hanu Lehua, Honolulu (Hawai'i halau division); Kaipo Bridges, Halau Hula O Na Mele O Hawai'i, New York City (visiting halau division).

Mary Kawena Puku'i Achievement Award (Hawaiian language award for wahine soloists) — Kahaukapu Serikawa, Halau Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniakea, Kane'ohe (Hawai'i halau division); Maki Yamamoto, Halau Ka Ua Lililehua, Saitama, Japan (visiting halau division).

Edith Kekuhi Kanakaole Achievement Award (Hawaiian language award for halau) — Halau O Ka Hanu Lehua, Honolulu (Hawai'i halau division); Halau Moanike'ala O Kaulakahi, Tokyo (visiting halau division).

Pua Ha'aheo Achievement Award (top combined score for kane soloists) — Ryan McCormick.

Lokalia Montgomery Achievement Award (solo chanter) — Kahaukapu Serikawa.

Maiki Aiu Achievement Award (top combined score for kane soloists) — Kahaukapu Serikawa.

Henry Mo'ikeha O Kahiki Pa Achievement Award (top combined score for visiting kane soloists) — Kaipo Bridges.

Rose Kapualani Joshua Achievement Awards (top performance by a halau combining kane and wahine) — Halau O Ka Hanu Lehua, 'olapa and 'auana.

Kau'i Zuttermeister Achievement Awards (top performance by a kane halau) — Halau Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniakea, 'olapa and 'auana.

Helen Desha Beamer Achievement Awards (top performance by wahine halau) — Halau Kaulakahi, 'olapa and 'auana (Hawai'i halau division); Halau Moanike'ala O Kaulakahi, 'olapa and 'auana (visiting halau division).

Emma Kapi'olani Sharpe Achievement Award (top performance by a visiting wahine soloist) — Maryann Kawata, Halau Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniakea, Fremont, Calif.

Farden Family Language & Musical Achievement Award (top performance by musicians) — Na Palapalai.

George A.K. Holokai Aloha Award (for demonstrating aloha and kokua) — Masao Takagi, Halau Hula Kalakaua, Urasoe City, Okinawa.