Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 30, Number 7, 1 July 2013 — Untitled [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

By Kekoa Enomoīo Kaua'i-based Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana O Leinā'ala will defend its group kahiko, 'auana and overall championships for keiki kāne at the Queen Lili'uokalani Keiki Hula Competition starting July 18 at the Blaisdell Arena.

Moreover, Kumu Hula Jonelle Marie Leinā'ala Pavao Jardin of the Kalāheo troupe will field a third family member in the Miss Keiki Hula pageant. Herdaughter, 10-year-old Jeslie Kapulelehuamaikamakanimaluhia Vidinha Pavao will seek the title, following older sister Breeze Ann Kalehuaonalani Vidinha Pavao and cousin Jaedyn Puahaulani Pavao, the 2009 and 2010 Miss Keiki Hula, respectively. "Those were very special moments in our hālau," Jardin said of the soloists' achievements.

A total of 22 hālau will present 400 keiki, ages 5 to 12, at the 38th annual contest presented by the Kalihi-Pālama Culture & Arts Society Ine. Society acting Executive Director Nanea Abiva said she anticipates "seeing the kids' faces and how mueh they put into their dance and getting prepared. I know they have lots of preparation and commitment. "It's really niee to see the kumu eome back. They appreciate all I do, and I appreciate all they do to make this event possible," said Abiva, 26, who succeeded retired Executive Director Jan Itagaki. New entrants this year are Hālau Ka Lihilihilehua 'O Hōpoe Kuikanani, of O'ahu, under the direction of Kumu Hula Kau'i Dalire, and Kalokemelemele Hula Studio, of Japan, led by Kumu Hula Yuko Imai. News anchor Paula Akana will emeee the event. Contest judges will be Nā Kumu Hula Manu Boyd, Cy Bridges, Leimomi Ho, Mae Klein and

Maelia Lobenstein-Carter, plus recording artists Haunani Apoliona and Ku'uipo Kumukahi assessing 'ōlelo Hawai'i. Nearly two dozen Ka Lei Mokihana O Leinā'ala dancers will compete, guided by Jardin, a 16-year kumu. Her hula genealogy since age 3 includes Nā Kumu Hula Ku'ulei Punua, Lovey Apana, Beverly Apana Muraoka, Leilani Rivera Low and Ray Fonseca. She studied with the late Fonseca of Hilo's Hālau Hula 'O Kahikilaulani while earning a bachelor's degree in speech and eommunieations at the University of Hawai'i-Hilo. Under his guidance, she was second runner-up for the 1993 Miss Aloha Hula title and co-winner of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Hawaiian Language Award while competing at Merrie Monarch, and completed her 'uniki as kumu hula in 2007. This month, her offspring Miss Keiki Hula eontestant Kapulelehua will interpret "He Inoa No Pauahi," while her Master Keiki Hula contestant Luke Hunadi, 10, will perform "Nui Ke Aloha No Kaua'i." Composer of the latter mele is Kale Hannahs of the musical trio Waipuna, whieh will accompany both contestants. Nā keiki kāne of her hālau will recreate ' 'He Mele He'e Nalu No Ka Lani Nui Ahi Lapalapa" for hula kahiko, and "Waikīkl Hula" for hula 'auana. Nā kaikamāhine will perform "Maika'i Maunawili" for hula kahiko, and " 'O Wai'ale'ale," co-composed by Nā Kumu Hula Karl Veto Baker and Miehael Casupang, for hula 'auana. "Nā kumu will sing for the girls," Jardin said of the duo known as KUmZ of 0'ahu's

Hālau I Ka Wēkiu. Jardin's 193-member Garden Isle hālau also made its second Merrie Monarch appearance this year. "We share our hula to the best of our ability," Jardin said. "For us, Akua (God) is such a big part of our hālau. Our bigaest accomplishments and

achievements are all blessings because of him." ■

Kekoa Enomoto is a retired copy editor and staff writer with The Maui News and former Honolulu Star-Bulletin.

38th annual Queen Lili'uokalani Keiki Hula Competition

WHERE: Blaisdell Arena, Honolulu WHEN: Miss and Master Keiki Hula contests 6 p.m. July 18, group hula kahiko competition 6 p.m. July 19, and group hula 'auana contest 1 p.m. July 20 TICKETS: $10.50 to $14.50 available July 5 at the Blaisdell box office, or via Ticketmaster at l-(800)-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com TV C0VERAGE: 6:30 to 10 p.m. Aug. 2 and 3 on KITV INF0: www.kpcahawaii.com, (808) 521-6905 or info@kpcahawaii.com

CULTURE

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Kaua'i's Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana 0 Leinā'ala will return to the Queen Lili'uokalani Keiki Hula Competition to defend their multiple titles, including first plaee keiki kane hula kahiko. - Photos: CourtesyRoy Yamasaki

Master Keiki Hula 2012 Alema Ehana and Miss Keiki Hula 2012 Lexi Mae Pruse, at left, both of Hālau Kekuaokalā'au'ala'iliahi, led by Nā Kumu Hula 'lliahi and Haunani Paredes.