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KS Maui High School haumāna came together to celebrate their Hawaiian heritage through mele, ‘oli and hula at the 17th Annual ‘Aha Mele. The seniors swept all class awards with their performance of “Ku‘u Hoa Hi‘ikua.”

Haumāna amplify 'Ike Hawai'i through KS Mauiʻs 'Aha Mele

May. 7, 2019

Contributed by Ben Balberdi

Kamehameha Schools Maui High School students came together on Friday for the campus’ 17th Annual ‘Aha Mele – a competition that offers students the opportunity to connect with their Hawaiian culture through mele, ‘oli and hula.

With the theme “Ka Haku Mele,” this year's competition honored Hawaiian music composers who received the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Haku Mele Award for Best Hawaiian Song Composition in this century.

Taking home the coveted “Ka Maka o Ka Ihe – The Point of the Spear” Award for highest combined score was the senior class with their performance of “Ku‘u Hoa Hi‘ikua” composed by Kalehua Krug and arranged by Dale Nita.

Other results:

  • Ka Hulu Kupuna Award (excellence in use of Hawaiian language): Senior Class
  • Ka Malu o ‘A‘apueo Award (best combined performance between nā kāne and nā wāhine): Nā Wāhine
  • Ka Lei a Pauahi (outstanding student director): Senior Brennan Mendez

This year’s ‘Aha Mele will be available for viewing until May 25 at www.kaleoonakoa.org.


KS Maui High School haumāna came together to celebrate their Hawaiian heritage through mele, ‘oli and hula at the 17th Annual ‘Aha Mele.


The senior class swept all class awards with their performance of “Ku‘u Hoa Hi‘ikua.”


Song director for the senior class, Brenna Mendez, earned the Ka Lei a Pauahi for outstanding song director.


Led by senior song director Kaylee-Marie Zimmermann, nā wāhine o ke kula took home the Ka Malu o ‘A‘apueo Award – the honor given to the best performance between men and women.


Similar to the songs performed by haumāna, the evening’s hō‘ike performance showcased music from Hawaiian composers who received the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Haku Mele Award for Best Hawaiian Song Composition in this century.


This year’s panel of judges included KS Kapālama graduates ‘Iliahi Parades (c/o ’92), Nāpua Grieg (c/o ’92), and Dr. Papaikanīʻau Kaiʻanui. Paredes and Grieg are renowned Hawaiian musicians and kumu hula. Dr. Kaiʻanui is a professor of Hawaiian Language and Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College.



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