Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 3, Number 7, 1 July 1986 — Ka Pa Hula Hawaii Paces Winners in 13th Kamehameha Competition [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Ka Pa Hula Hawaii Paces Winners in 13th Kamehameha Competition

Kumu Hula John Renken Kaha'i Topolinski's Ka Pa Hula Hawaii shared first plaee with Mapuana deSilva's Halau Mohala 'Ilima in the female division, placed first in the combined and walked off with third plaee in the male division to paee winners in the 13th Annual King Kamehameha Traditional Hula and Chant Competition June 14 in the Cannon Activities Center on the Brigham Young University Hawaii campus in Laie. Sponsored onee more by the State Council on Hawaiian Heritage, the sellout competition featured five chanters and 29 dance performances in the three divisions by 20 hula halau, including Halau O Kalani from Arlington, Texas, under Kumu Hula Frank Kelii Chang. It marked the end of a three-part King Kamehameha Day celebration. Another halau — Ka Ua Kilihune from Windward Oahu under Kumu Hula A1 Makahinu Barcarse — featured students from Castle High School where Barcarse is also a Japanese language teacher. In the chant division, Anthony Lenehanko, representing Ka Pa Hula Hawaii, was first plaee winner for his rendition of "Nani Wale No Kou Pa'u Melemele" whieh is a new composition written in the traditional style for Anne K. B. Topolinski. It recalls her gracefully riding as a pa'u princess in the King Kamehameha Celebration parade. Tehani Thomas of Lamalani Hula Academy placed second and Shelbie Kau'ilani Akana-Ancog, representing Halau O Waimea, was third. Other chanters were Regina Malia Fao and Kepola Kahue, both from Halau O Waimea. The graceful and exacting motions of the dancers, costuming and general overall performances of all the participants were deeply appreciated by a very warm and enthusiastic audience. Applause was generous and courtesy extended eaeh halau was contagious. The festival reminded regulars of the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo that here was Oahu's version of the Big Island event. It certainly had the atmosphere and the participation, they were quick to point out. R. M. Keahi Allen, executive director of the sponsoring organization, gave the weleome address and introduced the panel of judges. They were Patience Namaka Bacon, George Holokai, Edith McKinzie, Kalena Silva and Ka'upena Wong. The latter two also shared in the invocation. Napua Stevens was mistress of ceremonies, introducing eaeh halau, its kumu hula and the number they were performing. The complete hula results: MALE DMSION 1. Gentlemen of Na Kamalei (Oahu). Kumu Hula Robert Uluwehi Cazimero. 2. Na Wai Eha O Puna (Oahu). Kumu Hula Thaddius Wilson and 0'Brian Eselu. 3. Ka Pa Hula Hawaii (Oahu). Kumu Hula John Kaha'i Topolinski. FEMALE DIVISION 1. Halau Mohala 'Ilima (Oahu). Kumu Hula Mapuana deSilva. Ka Pa Hula Hawaii (Oahu). Kumu Hula John Kaha'i Topolinski. (tie). 2. Pua Ali'i 'Ilima (Oahu). Kumu Hula Victoria Holt Takamine. 3. Ladies of Kahanakealoha (Oahu). Kumu Hula Frank Palani Kahala.

COMBINED DIVISION 1. Ka Pa Hula Hawaii (Oahu). Kumu Hula John Kaha'i Topolinski. 2. Na Wai Eha O Puna (Oahu). Kumu Hula Thaddius Wilson and 0'Brian Eselu. 3. Halau O Kala'au'ala (Kauai). Kumu Hula Willie Kala'au'ala Pulawa.

Beaming happily and looking at audience in sharing first plaee honors «u-e Kuma Hula John Renken Kaha'i Topolinski of Ka Pa Hula Hawaii and Mapuana deSilva, of Halau Mohala 'Ilima. Mapuana's daughters, Kapalai'ula and Kahikina deSilva, are pictured to her left.

R. M. Keahi Allen, executive director of the State Council on Hawaiian Heritage, and judges for the 13th Annual King Kamehameha Traditional Hula and Chant Competition are pictured from left to right standing, Kalena Silva, Edith McKinzie, Mrs. Allen, Patience Namaka Bacon and George Holokai. Kneeling is Ka'upena Wong.