NEWS RELEASE
17th Annual Kamehameha Schools Maui ‘Aha Mele Results
Posted: May 3, 2019
PUKALANI, Maui - (May 3, 2019) – With more than 1,500 people in attendance, Kamehameha Schools Maui High School held its annual ‘Aha Mele competition on May 3 at the campus’ Ka‘ulaheanuiokamoku Gymnasium. ‘Aha Mele is the KS Maui song competition.
This year's theme, “Ka Haku Mele,” celebrates Hawaiian music composers who have 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 Nitta.
Other results:
Ka Hulu Kupuna Award (excellence in use of Hawaiian Language): Senior Class
Ka Malu o ‘A‘apueo Award (best combined performance between men and women): Nā Wāhine
Ka Lei a Pauahi (outstanding student director): Senior Brennan Mendez
This year’s panel of judges included KS Kapālama graduates ‘Iliahi Parades (c/o ’92), Nāpua Grieg (c/o ’92), and Dr. Papaikanī‘au Kai‘anui. Paredes and Grieg are renowned Hawaiian musicians and kumu hula. Dr. Kai‘anui is a professor of Hawaiian Language and Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawai‘i Maui College.
“‘Aha Mele celebrates our culture and language, as well as the hard work of our haumāna, faculty, staff and parents,” KS Maui Po‘o Kula Scott Parker said. “Competition aside, the underlying victory is the strengthened connection each student makes with their Hawaiian culture and the opportunity they now have to share that with the rest of the world.”
This year’s ‘Aha Mele, including the hō‘ike portion, will be available for viewing until May 25 on the KS Maui student news site www.kaleoonakoa.org.
