The 34th Annual Hula O Nā Keiki competition named Makalapua Kahula as Miss Hula O Nā Keiki 2026 and Isaac Kazuyuki Kauahikaua Woodward as Master Hula O Nā Keiki 2026.
Kahula represented Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka under the guidance of Kumu Hula Nāpua Silva. Woodward represented Ka Pā Hula ʻO Kawaihoʻomalu under Kumu Hula Kū Koanui-Souza.
The two-day cultural celebration took place Friday, Oct. 9, and Saturday, Oct. 10, at Keōpūolani Hale, which is located on the Kamehameha Schools Maui campus, and showcased soloists between six and 17 years old as they demonstrated proficiency in oli, hula kahiko and hula ʻauana. Contestants also had private interviews with judges where they reflected on the meanings of their oli, mele and hula, and how they dance.
"Established in 1990, Hula O Nā Keiki is a long-standing pillar of Hawaiian culture on Maui," said Kahulu De Santos, Outrigger Kāʻanapali Beach Resort director of ʻImipoʻokela and executive director of Hula O Nā Keiki, in a statement. "The weekend is more than a competition; it represents the transmission of ʻike from kumu to keiki, and it’s our privilege to continue upholding this proud tradition.”
The competition was presented by Outrigger Kāʻanapali Beach Resort. Kumu Hula Cody Pueo Pata was the master of ceremonies.
The judges for the event included Kumu Hula Māpuana Kekahuna Aarona, Moses Kaho‘okele Crabbe, Māpuana de Silva, Leimomi Ho and Hōkūlani Holt.
Other winners include:
Kumu Hula
Akoni Akana & Kanoeau Delatori Kumu Hula Award: Nā Kumu Hula Kealiʻi Reichel and Henohea Kāne (Hālau Ke ʻalaokamaile)
Kaikamahine
Keiki Overall Oli and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Award: Waianu Kaleiomakaliʻi Hall (Hālau Hula Kauluokalā, Nā Kumu Hula Uluwehi Guerrero & Kaui Krueger)
Keiki Interview Award: Waianu Kaleiomakaliʻi Hall (Hālau Hula Kauluokalā, Nā Kumu Hula Uluwehi Guerrero & Kaui Krueger)
1st Place Hula Kahiko Award: Waianu Kaleiomakaliʻi Hall (Hālau Hula Kauluokalā, Nā Kumu Hula Uluwehi Guerrero & Kaui Krueger)
2nd Place Hula Kahiko Award: Paisley Keira Cabico (Pukalani Hula Hale, Kumu Hula Hiʻilei Maxwell-Juan)
3rd Place Hula Kahiko Award: Callie Kozuki (Hālau Hula O Keola Aliʻiokekai, Kumu Hula Iola Balubar):
1st Place Hula ʻAuana Award: Waianu Kaleiomakaliʻi Hall (Hālau Hula Kauluokalā, Nā Kumu Hula Uluwehi Guerrero & Kaui Krueger)
2nd Place Hula ‘Auana Award: Paisley Keira Cabico (Pukalani Hula Hale, Kumu Hula Hiʻilei Maxwell-Juan)
3rd Place Hula ‘Auana Award: Callie Kozuki (Hālau Hula O Keola Aliʻiokekai, Kumu Hula Iola Balubar):
ʻŌpio Wahine
ʻŌpio Overall Oli and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Award: Makalapua Kahula (Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka, Kumu Hula Nāpua Silva)
ʻŌpio Interview Award: Makalapua Kahula (Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka, Kumu Hula Nāpua Silva)
1st Place Hula Kahiko Award: Makalapua Kahula (Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka, Kumu Hula Nāpua Silva)
2nd Place Hula Kahiko Award: Keolaokalani Ah Wong (Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe, Nā Kumu Hula Tracie & Keawe Lopes)
3rd Place Hula Kahiko Award: ʻIhikolonahe Sheilo Maxwell (Hālau Keʻalaokamaile, Nā Kumu Hula Kealiʻi Reichel & Henohea)
1st Place Hula ʻAuana: Makalapua Kahula (Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka, Kumu Hula Nāpua Silva)
2nd Place Hula ʻAuana: Keolaokalani Ah Wong (Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe, Nā Kumu Hula Tracie & Keawe
3rd Place Hula ʻAuana: ʻIhikolonahe Sheilo Maxwell (Hālau Keʻalaokamaile, Nā Kumu Hula Kealiʻi Reichel & Henohea)
ʻŌpio Kāne
1st Place Hula Kahiko Award: Isaac Kazuyuki Kauahikaua Woodward (Ka Pā Hula ʻO Kawaiho ʻomalu, Kumu Hula Kū Koanui-Souza)
1st Place Hula ʻAuana Award: Isaac Kazuyuki Kauahikaua Woodward (Ka Pā Hula ʻO Kawaiho ʻomalu, Kumu Hula Kū Koanui-Souza)
Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
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