Hawaiʻi to the World,” a televised talent competition launched by Hawaiian Council has named its Oʻahu winner, Lartiza, who will be one of five acts from four islands to advance to the contest’s grand finale, which airs this Sunday, Dec. 14.
The winner of the talent competition takes home a $10,000 cash prize. The fan favorite, determined by online voting, will also receive cash. "Hawaiʻi to the World" is aired by Hawaiʻi News Now and simulcast on K5 and KHNL, following Sunday Night Football.
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 Oʻahu auditions, that guest judge was Jake Shimabukuro.
Laritza’s winning act combined a traditional oli, or chant, with classical piano.
“Our first performer is classical meets drag in a performance that’s as bold as it is beautiful,” said Maduli, the show’s host, as she introduced Laritza during the Oʻahu competition. “Juilliard trained pianist and Hawaiian artist T.J. Keanu Tario transforms into Laritza blending grace, power and pure artistry.”
The finale will include contestants from four islands: Kauaʻi, Maui, Hawaiʻi Island and Oʻahu. Laritza will advance alongside Kaua‘i’s two finalists: Beya and Kumu Hula Troy Allen Lazaro with Hālau Ka Pā Hula o Hīnano; Maui’s finalist, the Island and reggae band, Āinaty; and Hawaiʻi Island’s finalist, the singer and songwriter, Pohai.
Watch the full episode featuring Oʻahu artists. The voting for fan favorite closes at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9. Vote here.
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Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
