Apr. 25, 2017

Contributed by Nadine Lagaso

Kamehameha Schools strives to instill a strong Native Hawaiian identity in its haumāna, cultivating leaders who serve their local and global communities. The KS alumni featured in this story are shining examples of Hawaiian alaka‘i who have embraced their heritage by perpetuating the art of hula, the Hawaiian language, and cultural traditions.

Members of the KS ‘ohana didn’t have to go far to find KS classmates, colleagues and friends at Hilo’s Merrie Monarch Festival last week. From kumu hula and haumāna, to TV personalities and pā‘ū riders, KS was well-represented.

The annual festival includes a craft fair, a royal parade and an internationally acclaimed hula competition held at Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium. Nearly 30 hula hālau were vying for titles this year.

Five KS alumni kumu hula led their hālau to victory at the three-day competition earning top awards. They included Nā Kumu Hula Tracie Lopes KSK’89 and Keawe Lopes and Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe who won the Lokalia Montgomery Perpetual Trophy – the competition’s highest honor!

Thanks to a Kamehameha Schools sponsorship, TV viewers were able to enrich their Merrie Monarch experience by choosing to view the hula competition in ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i. Serving as the hosts for the first-time Hawaiian language telecast were Hiapo Perreira KSK’92 – associate professor of Hawaiian language and literature at UH Hilo and wife Hanakahi Perreira – an instructional evaluator at KS Hawai‘i.

Following are the KS alumni and their hālau who earned awards at this year’s Merrie Monarch hula competition. E ho‘omaika‘i iā kākou – congratulations everyone – and mahalo to each of you for bringing honor to the legacy of Ke Ali‘i Bernice Pauahi Bishop!

Click photos at right to enlarge.

LOKALIA MONTGOMERY PERPETUAL TROPHY
Winner (most points overall)
Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe
Nā Kumu Hula Tracie Lopes KSK’89 and Keawe Lopes

OVERALL AWARDS
Wāhine
1st Place
Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe
Nā Kumu Hula Tracie Lopes KSK’89 and Keawe Lopes

Kāne
2nd Place
Hālau I Ka Wēkiu
Nā Kumu Hula Karl Veto Baker KSK’76 and Michael Casupang

3rd Place
Hālau Kekuaokalaʻauʻalaʻiliahi
Nā Kumu Hula Haunani Paredes and Iliahi Paredes KSK’92

KAHIKO AWARDS
Wāhine
2rd Place
Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe
Nā Kumu Hula Tracie Lopes KSK’89 and Keawe Lopes

5th Place
Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka
Kumu Hula Nāpua Greig KSK’92

ʻAUANA AWARDS
Wāhine
1st Place
Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe
Nā Kumu Hula Tracie Lopes KSK’89 and Keawe Lopes

2nd Place
Hālau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine
Kumu Hula Kaʻilihiwa Vaughan-Darval KSK’93

Kāne
1st Place ‘Auana & First Runner Up Overall
Hālau I Ka Wēkiu
Nā Kumu Hula Karl Veto Baker KSK’76 and Michael Casupang

2nd Place
Hālau Kekuaokalaʻauʻalaʻiliahi
Nā Kumu Hula Haunani Paredes and Iliahi Paredes KSK’92

MISS ALOHA HULA AWARD
1st Place
Kelina Eldredge KSK’12
Hālau Hiʻiakaināmakalehua
Nā Kumu Hula Robert Kaʻupu IV and Lono Padilla
Eldredge also won the prestigious Office of Hawaiian Affairs Hawaiian Language Award for her outstanding use of ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i.

2nd Place
Juleyn Kaluna KSK’14
Hula Hālau ʻO Kamuela
Nā Kumu Hula Kunewa Mook and Kauʻionālani Kamanaʻo

5th Place
Miriam Arakawa KSM’13
Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka
Kumu Hula Nāpua Greig Nakasone KSK’92

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 events, visit the Merrie Monarch Festival website.

STRATEGIC PLAN 2020
SP2020 is a five-year strategic plan that will guide Kamehameha Schools from 2015 to 2020. The plan marks a starting point toward KS’ Vision 2040, which envisions success for all Native Hawaiian learners.

Kamehameha alumni across the globe who lead with Hawaiian knowledge and values help strengthen the native Hawaiian identity of KS, supporting Goal 3 of SP2020.