“Hawaiʻi to the World,” a televised talent competition launched by Hawaiian Council has named its Maui winner, the Island reggae band, Āinaty. This group is one of several acts that will advance to the contest’s grand finale, which airs Sunday, Dec. 14.
The finale will include contestants from four islands: Kauaʻi, Maui, Hawaiʻi Island and Oʻahu. ʻĀinaty is advancing to the finale alongside Kaua‘i’s two finalists: Beya and Kumu Hula Troy Allen Lazaro with Hālau Ka Pā Hula o Hīnano. Contestants for Hawaiʻi Island and Oʻahu have not yet been announced.
“Every island has incredible stories and talent to share,” said Kūhiō Lewis, chief executive officer of Hawaiian Council and the co-creator of “Hawaiʻi to the World,” in a written statement. “Maui continues to inspire all of us with its resilience, creativity and spirit. This show was created to uplift Hawai‘i’s artists, celebrate our culture, and showcase the creativity that connects us all. We’re excited to see Maui take the stage in the finale.”
The winner of the competition takes home a $10,000 cash prize. The fan favorite, determined by online voting, will also receive a cash award.
The panel of judges includes Amy Hānaiali‘i Gilliom; Patrick Makuakāne; Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, also known as Kumu Hina; and Lehua Kalima. The show is hosted by McKenna Maduli. Auditions for each Island’s talent contest include a guest judge. For the Maui auditions, that guest judge was Keali‘i Reichel.
"Hawaiʻi to the World" premiered Sunday, Nov. 16, on Hawaiʻi News Now and was simulcast on K5 and KHNL. The following upcoming episodes will air weekly following Sunday Night Football on these dates:
• Nov. 30: Hawai‘i Island Auditions with guest judge Alaka‘i Paleka
• Dec. 7: O‘ahu Auditions with guest judge Jake Shimabukuro
• Dec. 14: Finale with surprise guest judge
Recently, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement rebranded as Hawaiian Council, a change the nonprofit announced in August. Hawaiian Council’s mission is to “enhance the cultural, economic, political and community development of Native Hawaiians,” according to its website.
Watch the full episode of Maui auditions here. To vote for a fan favorite, go here.
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Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
