Kupuna News A Magazine For And About Hawai`i's Seniors (January - March 2009)

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Special Programs Results of 26th Annual Hawai‘i Kupuna Hula Festival The 26th Annual Hawai‘i Kupuna Hula Festival had a new venue this year, the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa hosted both the competition and craft fair on September 24th and 25th. Close to 300 participants from 17 halaus, including 7 from Japan, 1 from Korea, 1 from Maui, 2 groups from Oahu and 6 groups from the Big Island, gathered to participate in this years “Na Hula Piha ‘Eu” Naughty and Nice Hula competition. Over 1,600 people attended the two day festival to watch the 17 halaus compete for top prizes in 6 categories. The individual Tutu Wahine and Tutu Kane dances took place on Wednesday night, followed by the group competitions in the Mixed, Wahine, Kane and Overall categories on Thursday night. During each performance, 5 judges rated the dancers on overall appearance, presentation, hand gestures and costumes, among other categories, using a 1-10 point scale. The top three winners in each of the competitions received prizes generously donated by local sponsors: First Hawaiian Bank, Big Island Candies, Waikoloa Land Co., Kukio Resorts, LLC., Akami Photographics, Hawai‘i Island Festivals, and Hawai‘i County Economic Opportunity Council. This year’s individual winners included; third place in the Kane category George Kaikana, second place; Eugene Kealoha Keama, and first place individual Kane winner; Keoni Castillon. The individual Wahine winners were; third place Sissy Polikapu, second place; Lorraine “Lahela” Higa, and first place individual Wahine dancer was Pi`ilani Rodrigues. Thursday night’s Kane group winners were; third place Na Leo Nahenahe O Pohai Kealoha, second place; Hula Halau O Pua Loke, and first place Kane group winners were Na Kupuna O Ko`olau. Third place in the group Wahine division was Na Kupuna O Ko`olau. Second place, was Hula Halau O Kawananakoa, and first place winners Ke Ola Pono No Na Kupuna. The three winning halaus in the mixed group competition were; third place Na Kupuna O Ka`u, second place; Na Kupuna O Ko`olau, and the overall mixed group winner, Leo Nahanahe O Pohai Kealoha. The title of overall group winner went to Hula Halau O Pua Loke for the second year in a row, with their overall point score of 1,496.20. The 27th Annual Hawai‘i Kupuna Hula Festival is scheduled for September 16-17, 2009 at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa. Kupuna News 7 January - March 2009