Titles for the 28th annual Hula O Na Keiki competition were recently awarded at Maui’s only solo hula competition for children.

Established by the staff of Ka’anapali Beach Hotel in 1990, Hula O Na Keiki promotes awareness and perpetuates Hawaiian culture through music and dance. Below is a list of the 2018 award recipients:

2018 Miss Hula O Na Keiki

Nadia Kukahiliokeawepe Nascimento

Kumu — Lopaka Igarta DeVera and Sonny Ching

Halau — Halau Na Mamo O Pu’uanahulu

Kaikamahine Hula Award

First, Nadia Kukahiliokeawepe Nascimento

Kumu — Lopaka Igarta DeVera and Sonny Ching

Halau — Halau Na Mamo O Pu’uanahulu

Second, Karen Miyazaki

Kumu — Yumiko Hara

Halau — Halau Kala’akeaokeaolani

Third, Shannon Kamalei Purdy

Kumu — Kahulu Maluo

Halau — Halau Kamaluokaleihulu

Kaikamahine Inteview Award

Shannon Kamalei Purdy

Kumu — Kahulu Maluo

Halau — Halau Kamaluokaleihulu

Kaikamahine Oli and ‘Olelo Hawai’i Award

First, Shannon Kamalei Purdy

Kumu — Kahulu Maluo

Halau — Halau Kamaluokaleihulu

Second, Madison Kuli’aikalihau Kalawai’a

Kumu — Uluwehi Guerrero

Halau — Halau Hula Kauluokala

Third, Nadia Kukahiliokeawepe Nascimento

Kumu — Lopaka Igarta DeVera and Sonny Ching

Halau — Halau Na Mamo O Pu?uanahulu

Kaikamahine Kahiko Costume & Adornment Award

Shannon Kamalei Purdy

Kumu — Kahulu Maluo

Halau — Halau Kamaluokaleihulu

Kaikamahine ‘Auana Costume and Adornment Award

Nadia Kukahiliokeawepe Nascimento

Kumu — Lopaka Igarta DeVera and Sonny Ching

Halau — Halau Na Mamo O Pu’uanahulu

Hula Palua Award

Moses A.K. Niles & Mohala K.K. Niles

Kumu — Iola Balubar

Halau — Halau Hula O Keola Ali’i o ke Kai

Palua Costume and Adornment Award

Moses A.K. Niles & Mohala K.K. Niles

Kumu — Iola Balubar

Halau – Halau Hula O Keola Ali’i o ke Kai

The Music Award

Halau Kala’akeaokeaolani

Kumu — Yumiko Hara

Mele: Mele o ke Ke’ena Kalaunu

The Akoni Akana Perpetual Award, identifying the kumu who best demonstrates the value of po’okela in preparing for Hula O Na Keiki was awarded to kumu Lorna Lim of Halau Kawehileimamoikawekiu ‘O Kohala. Shannon Kamalei Purdy of Halau Kamaluokaleihulu was the recipient of the Friends of Moku’ula scholarship, which works to further each individual’s education in Hawaiian culture.

This year’s participating halau included: Halau Hula O Keola Ali’i o ke Kai, kumu Iola Balubar; Halau Kala’akeaokeaolani, kumu Yumiko Hara; Hula Halau O Maluhia, kumu Junko Yuzawa; Halau Kawehileimamoikawekiu ‘O Kohala, kumu Lorna Lim; Halau Kamaluokaleihulu, kumu Kahulu Maluo; Halau Hula Kauluokala, kumu Uluwehi Guerrero; Na Lei O Kahikilani, kumu Kahikilani Akana; Halau Na Mamo O Pu’uanahulu; kumu Lopaka Igarta DeVera and Sonny Ching. The judges were: Hokulani Holt, head judge; Shane Kamakaokalani Herrod; Kapono’ai Molitau; Ulalia Woodside; and Puamohala Kaholokula.

To complement the children’s hula competition, weekend festivities at the hotel included a Hawaiian Festival of Arts and Crafts featuring local artisans. Hula O Na Keiki concluded with the final day of the Manaola pop-up shop and Sunday Brunch at The Tiki Terrace.