Contributed by Nadine Lagaso
Kamehameha Schools alumni who have earned the rank of kumu hula led their hālau to victory at the recent Merrie Monarch Festival hula competition in Hilo. More than half of the hula kahiko and hula ‘auana awards were won by Kamehameha alumni and their hālau.
Kumu hula Robert Uluwehi Cazimero KSK’67 and and the kāne of Hālau Nā Kamalei O Līlīlehua returned to the competition after a 10-year hiatus. Together they earned four top awards, including the coveted Lokalia Montgomery Overall Award. When the halau last competed in 2005, it won the overall award as well.
A heartfelt Hoʻomaikaʻi ʻana to all alumni kumu hula and their hālau for their countless hours of practice, studying and sacrifice – all to help preserve the art of hula. Mahalo to each of them for bringing honor to the legacy of our founder Princess Pauahi.
Following are the Kamehameha Schools alumni and their hālau who earned awards at the three-day hula competition:
LOKALIA MONTGOMERY PERPETUAL TROPHY
Winner
Kumu Hula Robert Uluwehi Cazimero, KSK’67
Hālau Nā Kamalei O Līlīlehua
OVERALL AWARDS
Kane
1st Place
Kumu Hula Robert Uluwehi Cazimero, KSK’67
Hālau Nā Kamalei O Līlīlehua
3rd Place
Kumu Hula Kaleo Trinidad KSK’93
Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka Lā
Wahine
2nd Place
Kumu Hula Nāpua Greig KSK’92
Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka
3rd Place
Kumu Hula Kaʻilihiwa Vaughan-Darval KSK’93
Hālau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine
KAHIKO AWARDS
Kāne
1st Place
Kumu Hula Kaleo Trinidad KSK’93
Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka Lā
2nd Place
Kumu Hula Robert Uluwehi Cazimero, KSK’67
Hālau Nā Kamalei O Līlīlehua
Wahine
2nd Place
Kumu Hula Nāpua Greig KSK’92
Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka
3rd Place
Nā Kumu Hula Tracie Lopes KSK’89 and Keawe Lopes
Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe
5th Place
Kumu Hula Kapua Dalire-Moe KSK’90
Hālau Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniākea
ʻAUANA AWARDS
Kāne
1st Place
Kumu Hula Robert Uluwehi Cazimero, KSK’67
Hālau Nā Kamalei O Līlīlehua
3rd Place
Kumu Hula Kaleo Trinidad KSK’93
Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka Lā
Wahine
1st Place
Kumu Hula Kaʻilihiwa Vaughan-Darval KSK’93
Hālau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine
2nd Place
Kumu Hula Nāpua Greig KSK’92
Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka
5th Place
Nā Kumu Hula Tracie Lopes KSK’89 and Keawe Lopes
Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe
MISS ALOHA HULA AWARD
4th Runner-up
ʻAnela Uʻilani Ruth Fusano Tanigawa KSM’10
Halau Na Lei Kaumaka O Uka
Kumu Hula Nāpua Greig KSK’92
In related news, Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi Middle School Principal Scott De Sa and his paʻu unit Ka Hui Holo Lio o Ka ʻOhu Lehua placed first in the Unit, Princess and “Pooper Scooper” categories of the Merrie Monarch Festival Royal Parade.
The unit represented Kahoʻolawe with the theme, Ola ka ʻāina, ola ke kai – “The land lives, the sea lives” – a reminder that the health of Hawaii’s ecosystems require care of the land and sea.
To see all of the KS alumni who shared their passion for hula, Hawaiian language and culture at the festival’s hula competition, see the previous I Mua Newsroom story. For more on the annual festival – including a complete list of the winners, videos and behind-the-scene stories – visit the Merrie Monarch Festival website.
The Merrie Monarch Festival honors King David Kalākaua, the “Merrie Monarch,” in recognition of his role in the revival of hula.
The week-long festival features an internationally acclaimed hula competition showcasing kahiko (ancient) and ʻauana (modern) hula. The festivities also include a Miss Aloha Hula competition, Hawaiian arts fair, hula shows, and a grand parade through Hilo town.
For more information about the annual festivities, visit the Merrie Monarch Festival website.
Kumu Hula Kaleo Trinidad KSK’93 and his halau Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka Lā won first place in the hula kahiko (ancient hula) competition.
Kumu Hula Kaʻilihiwa Vaughan-Darval KSK’93 and Hālau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine won first place in the hula 'auana (modern hula) competition.
In related news, KS Hawaiʻi Middle School Principal Scott De Sa (R) and his paʻu unit placed first in the Unit, Princess and “Pooper Scooper” categories of the Merrie Monarch Festival Royal Parade!
The annual festival honors King David Kalākaua, the “Merrie Monarch,” in recognition of his role in the revival of hula.
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