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35 Years of Music Hula and Memories <br />2017 Kupuna Hula Festival <br /> <br /> 18 halaus, from Japan, Okinawa, California, Maui, <br />Moloka‘i, O‘ahu and the Big Island, gathered to celebrate this <br />year’s theme ‘O Ke One Kaulana O Kahelelani A I Nā ‘Ala <br />Onaona o Kamawaelualani, celebrating the unique places and <br />traits of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau. The Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa <br />hosted both the competition and craft fair on September 13-14th. <br />Over 1,000 people attended the two day festival to watch <br />the 18 halaus compete for top prizes in 6 categories. The <br />individual Tutu Wahine and Tutu Kane dances took place on <br />Wednesday night, followed by the group competitions in the Mixed, <br />Wahine, Kane and Overall categories on Thursday night. <br /> During each performance, 5 judges rated the dancers <br />on overall appearance, presentation, hand gestures and <br />costumes, among other categories, using a 5-10 point scale. <br />The top three winners in each of the competitions received prizes <br />generously donated by local sponsors: First Hawaiian Bank, Big Island <br />Candies, Kukio Resorts, LLC., Akamai Photo, Hawai‘i Island Festivals, <br />County of Hawai‘i Parks and Recreation Elderly Activities Division, and <br />the Kupuna Hula Festival. <br /> This year’s individual winners included; third place in the Kane <br />category Makana Satou, Hula Halau O Pua Loke, second place; Michael Foley <br />dancing with Na Kupuna O Kohala, and first place individual Kane winner from <br />Na Kupuna O Moana; Allen Diorec. <br /> The individual Wahine winners were; third place Natsuko Arai performing <br />for Japan’s Ka Pa Hula O <br />Keolananilehua, second place; Kailua Kona’s Denise Bigelow from Halau Kala‘akeakauikawekiu. <br />First place Wahine dancer from Moloka‘i was Na Kupuna O Moana’s Haunani Kamakana. <br />Thursday night’s Kane group winners were; third place Hula Halau O Pua Loke, <br />second place; Na Kupuna O Moana, and first place Kane group winners from Kapa‘au were Na <br />Kupuna O Kohala. <br /> Third place in the group Wahine division was, Hula Halau O Kawananakoa from Hilo. <br />Second place awards went to Kona’s Halau Kala‘akeakauikawekiu, and first place winners <br />from Kailua Kona, Halau Hula Na Pua U‘i O <br />Hawai‘i. <br />The third place halau in the mixed group competition was Hula Halau O Pua Loke; second place; <br />Na Kupuna O Kohala, and the overall mixed group winner, Na Kupuna O Moana. <br /> The title of overall group winner was awarded to long-time entrants from Kaunakakai, <br />Na Kupuna O Moana. <br /> The 36th Annual Hawai‘i Kupuna Hula Festival is tentatively scheduled for <br />September 12-13, 2018 at the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa. <br /> <br />2nd Place Tutu Wahine Denise Bigelow <br /> <br />1st Place Tutu Kāne Allen Diorec <br /> <br />2nd Place Mixed Group Winners Na Kupuna O Kohala <br /> <br />Overall Winners Na Kupuna O Moana <br /> <br />2nd Place Wahine Group Halau Kala‘akeakauikawekiu <br /> <br />3rd Place Wahine Group Hula Halau O Kawananakoa <br /> <br />Kupuna News 8 Information and Assistance (808) 961-8777 <br /> <br />