Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 3, Number 6, 1 June 1986 — 1,200 Attend High School Competition [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

1,200 Attend High School Competition

Kamehameha Big Hula Kahiko Winner

Ka Punawai O Kamehameha from The Kamehameha Schools won three of four first plaee awards in the Ninth Annuai All Hawaii Intermediate-High School Hula Kahiko Competition held for the first time on Saturday, May 10, at the Wallaee Rider Farrington High School Auditorium. The Kamehameha halau, under instructor Randie Fong, won in the kane, wahine and Hawaiian language divisions while also placing second in the Hui'Ia category (combined) whieh was won by a combined halau from Damien Memorial High School and St. Andrew's Priory. Randy Ngum, Suzanne Kaupu and Nani Parrilla are the instructors for the combined group — Kalei'a'alaokaleleonalani/Kaleikauikaumauma. More than 1,200 persons attended the well-paced and beautiful-costumed competition featuring nine schools, including the only intermediate entry from Kaimuki Intermediate School. This is the same competition held at Kualoa Regional Park since its inception in 1978 under the direction of Aunty Malia Craver and the sponsorship of the Queen Liliuokalani Trust. Aunty Malia, a social worker at Queen Liliuokalani Children's Center, and fellow worker Earl Kawaa started the competition then to recognize and expose Hawaii's young people.to this Hawaiian culture. Aunty Malia carried on when Kawaa enrolled at the University of Hawaii to get his degree in social work. He has since returned to QLCC whieh dropped sponsorship this year and encouraged the Kalihi-Palama Culture and Arts Society ine., an independent community-based non-profit organization located at 357 N. King St., across from Aala Park, to piek it up. Executive Director Wendell Silva, a host of volunteers and staff put together this year's competition. Additionally, Silva turned in a tremendous job as master of ceremonies. For her work in perpetuating this culture through Hawaii's youngsters, Aunty Maiia was honored in a surprise cultural exchange Samoan ceremony given by the Waianae High School Samoan Cultural Club. The ceremony is called Sua ta'i and featured traditional songs and dances of Samoa as well as gift-giving or ho'okupu.

It was a ceremony usually reserved for chiefs. The giftgiving took plaee on stage with Aunty Malia sitting on a large mat and students from the club bringing her gifts topped off by a whole roasted pig complete with a plumeria lei. The Students then went into their songs and dances, including a Samoan knife dance by ll-year-old Kaui Delire, daughter of Kumu Hula Aloha Delire of Kaneohe. The Hawaiian language trophy was named for Aunty Malia, a first time award whieh will be perpetuated in future competitions. Everyone seemed to agree that the cultural feeling and aloha shown were so different as compared to the previous eight years. "The spirit of love and friendship could be felt everywhere," Silva observed. "The reception for our young people and the ceremony for Aunty Malia were so full of love and warmth." Because eaeh school is allowed only one entry, Mapuana deSilva's Na Wahine Hele La 'O Kaiona, another Kamehameha halau, gave a special guest performance while judges tallied their ballots. Anthony Conjugacion, 1986 Na Hoku Hanohano award winner, sang for the group in yet another special appearance. The first three plaee winners in eaeh category were: Kane — 1. Kamehameha'. 2. Punahou, Na Keiki 'O Ka 'Aina. Instructors: Frank Palani Kahala and Chris Pomaika'i Gaui. 3. Damien, Kaleikauikaumauma. Instructor: Randy Ngum. Wahine — 1. Kamehameha. 2. St. Andrew's Priory. 3. Honokaa. Instructor: Tony Malacas. Hui 'Ia (Combined) — 1. Damien/St. Andrew's. 2. Kamehameha. 3. Iolani, Na 'Opio Ka Honua. Instructors: Ed Collier and Kaipo Kalua. Judges for the hula portion were Patience Bacon, Cy Bridges, 0'Brien Eselu, George Maile and Edith McKinzie. Language judges were Aunty Malia, Mileka Kanahele and Kalani Meineeke. Trophies and calabash bowls were given as prizes. It was clearly the best $2 bargain of any attraction. The costuming, choreography and chants were well worth more than the modest admission. Other competing schools were Roosevelt, Honokaa, Castle and Waianae High Schools.

"The rule on staying aliue as a forcaster is to giue 'em a number or giue 'em a date. But neuer giue 'em both at onee. " — Jane Biyant Quinn.

Aunty Malia Craver