Maui hālau wins big in Keiki Hula Competition

Lexi Mae Kamakanaokalani Pruse and Alema ‘Ulaleo Ebana were named the Miss Keiki Hula and Master Keiki Hula of the 2012 Queen Lili‘uokalani Keiki Hula Competition, which was proudly sponsored by OHA.

Pruse and Ebana dance with Hālau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi, which were big winners in the three-day competition, held July 19 to 21 at the Blaisdell Center Arena.

The Maui hālau won the Pat Namaka Bacon Overall Perpetual Trophy for kaikamāhine (girls) and the Mary Kawena Pukui Hawaiian Language Award for the hālau division. In kahiko, the hālau also won first place for kaikamāhine and second place for keiki kāne, among other awards.

Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala won first for keiki käne in the ‘auana and kahiko categories, and ‘Ilima Mahipua Lemi Hula Studio won first in the kaikamāhine ‘auana category. For a full list of winners, visit kpcahawaii.com.

The 37th annual competition presented by the Kalihi-Pālama Culture and Arts Society attracts about two dozen hālau hula from Hawai‘i and Japan.