About Kū Mai Ka Hula
“Hula encourages you to push yourself out of your comfort zone, to look at the world through the eyes of others, and to be grateful for all that is Hawaiʻi. To me, that popular phrase ‘Hula is life’ means more than ‘Hula is what I love to do.
It means ‘Hula is who I am.’”
-na Hōkūlani Holt
About the Competition.
Come and celebrate Maui with us! Kū Mai Ka Hula, Maui's only adult hula competition, features award-winning hālau competing in solo and group performances. Kane (Male) and Wahine (female) dancers from hālau in Hawaiʻi, Japan, and the Continental US, compete in both kahiko (traditional) and ‘auana (modern) hula stylings. All portions of the competition are judged by renowned kumu hula from throughout Hawai`i.
To celebrate the hula and preserve its legacy, the late kumu hula Akoni Akana created an adult competition called Maui Festivals in 2000. Before his passing, Hōkūlani Holt agreed she would carry it on using a new name – Kū Mai Ka Hula - Hula Appears. Holt has served as the Competition director since its inception in 2006.
In 2024, Kū Mai Ka Hula will celebrate its 17th Anniversary. The Competition will showcase Ms. and Mr. Hula Maui kahiko and ʻauana performances and the Group competition for Kāne, Wāhine, and Kūpuna.
2023 Perpetual Awards
Leianaikaroselani O Maui Award
recognizes the hālau that exhibits overall excellence in hula
Hālau Ka Pā Hula O Hinano/ Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro
ʻŌlelo Makuahine Award
recognizes the hālau that exhibits excellence in Hawaiian Language use by hoʻopaʻa and musicians
Hālau Hula I Kona Mau Lima/ Kumu Hula Kēhaulani Kaneholani-Santiago
Maui Nui Award
recognizes the hālau that participated fully in all aspects of the competition and has tried to be involved in as many divisions as possible
Hālau Ka Pā Hula O Hinano/ Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro
Palikūmaikalewalani Oli Award
recognizes the hālau that exhibits excellence in oli
Hālau Ka Pā Hula O Hinano/ Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro
2023 Soloist Award Winners
Mr. Hula Maui
1st Place: Tyson Kekoa Tango from Hālau Ka Pā Hula O Hinano under the direction of Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro
2nd Place: Okuto Horiuchi from Hālau Hula Mānaiakalani Iāpana under the direction of Nā Kumu Hula Kapono & Kanoenani Kamaunu
2023 Group Award Winners
Kane Kahiko
1st Place: Hālau Ka Pā Hula O Hinano/ Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro
Kane ʻAuana
1st Place: Hālau Ka Pā Hula O Hinano/ Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro
Wāhine Kahiko
1st Place: Hālau ʻO Kealani/ Yukiko Minami
2nd Place: Hālau Keʻala Kahinano O Puna/ Kumu Hula Joy Keōpūolani Salvador
Wahine ʻAuana
1st Place: Hālau ʻO Kealani/ Yukiko Minami
2nd Place: Hālau Keʻala Kahinano O Puna/ Kumu Hula Joy Keōpūolani Salvador
Kūpuna ʻAuana
1st Place: Hālau ʻO Kealani/ Yukiko Minami
2nd Place: Hālau Hula ʻO Mehanaokala/ Kuʻulei Hashimoto
3rd Place: Hālau Hula I Kona Mau Lima/ Kumu Hula Kēhaulani Kaneholani-Santiago