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Halau Hi‘iakainamakalehua, winners of the Group Auana Kupuna division, perform at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theater on Saturday. MARSHA AGUON photos

Hina Esaki and Sean Kauaakeakua Segundo earned the title of Ms. Hula Maui and Mr. Hula Maui, respectively, during the 15th annual Ku Mai Ka Hula Competition at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Friday and Saturday.

Seven halau from Maui, Oahu, Japan and California gathered for the competition, which was judged by Kumu Hula Iwalani Kalima, Kumu Hula Ulalia Woodside Lee, Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona and Kumu Hula Cody Pueo Pata.

The winners were, by division:

MS. HULA MAUI

Halau Keali‘i O Nalani Iapana puts on a first-place performance in the Group Wahine Kahiko division on Saturday.

• First place, Hina Esaki, Halau Keali’i O Nalani Iapana, Kumu Hula Keali’i Ceballos.

• Second place, Kaiulani Kaniaupio, Na Hanona Kulike ‘O Pi’ilani, Kumu Hula Kapono’ai Molitau.

• Third place, Michelle Elizabeth Timata, Hui Ho’oulu Aloha, Kumu Hula Pomaika’i Krueger.

MR. HULA MAUI

• First place, Sean Kauaakeakua Segundo, Na Hanona Kulike ‘O Pi’ilani, Kumu Hula Kapono’ai Molitau.

• Second place, Erito Zushi, Halau Keali’i O Nalani Iapana, Kumu Hula Keali’i Ceballos.

• Third place, David James Kealoha Auna, Hui Ho’oulu Aloha, Kumu Hula Pomaika’i Krueger.

GROUP WAHINE KAHIKO

• First place, Halau Keali’i O Nalani Iapana, Kumu Hula Keali’i Ceballos.

• Second place, Na Hanona Kulike ‘O Pi’ilani, Kumu Hula Kapono’ai Molitau.

• Third place, Halau Ke’ala Kahinano O Puna, Kumu Hula Joy Keopuolani Salvador.

GROUP WAHINE AUANA

• First place, Na Hanona Kulike ‘O Pi’ilani, Kumu Hula Kapono’ai Molitau.

• Second place, Halau Keali’i O Nalani Iapana, Kumu Hula Keali’i Ceballos.

• Third place, Halau Ke’ala Kahinano O Puna, Kumu Hula Joy Keopuolani Salvador.

GROUP AUANA KUPUNA

• First place, Halau Hi’iakainamakalehua, Na Kumu Hula Robert Ke’ano Kaupu and Lono Padilla.

• Second place, Halau Hula Kauluokala, Kumu Hula Uluwehi Guerrero.

• Third place, Na Hanona Kulike ‘O Pi’ilani, Kumu Hula Kapono’ai Molitau.

Na Hanona Kulike ‘O Pi’ilani also earned the Palikumaikalewalani Oli Award for excellence in oli and the Maui Nui Award for participating fully in all aspects of the competition in as many divisions as possible.

Hui Ho’oulu Aloha won the Leianaikaroselaniomaui Award for overall excellence in hula, while Halau Keali’i O Nalani Iapana earned the ‘Olelo Makuahine Award for excellence in Hawaiian language use with an accompanist and musician.

Ku Mai Ka Hula is presented annually by Kauahea Inc., a nonprofit founded by Hokulani Holt to support Hawaiian arts and culture in connection with the MACC.

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