Bob Burrichter, Marketing Director

808-243-4232 bob@mauiarts.org
Kahulu Maluo, Cultural Programs Director
808-243-4269 kahulu@mauiarts.org

For Immediate Release

Winners Announced for 12th Annual K MAI KA HULA Competition

Kahului, Maui (September 11, 2017) - The winners have been announced for the 12th Annual K Mai Ka Hula
Competition, held on Friday September 8 and Saturday, September 9 in the Castle Theater at Maui Arts & Cultural
Center. Award-winning hlau from Maui, Oahu, California, Nevada and Japan shared their finest performances in front
of an enthusiastic audience and a group of prestigious judges. There were a total of ten participating hlau this year.

K Mai Ka Hula is presented annually by Maui Arts & Cultural Center in association with Kauahea Inc, a non-profit
organization founded by Hklani Holt to support Hawaiian arts and culture.

The judges were Iwalani Kalima, Shane Kamakaokalani Herrod, Ulalia Woodside, and Keali'i Reichel. Each is a kumu
hula with award winning hlau, and renowned for their contributions to Hawaiian culture.

The 2017 KU MAI KA HULA final awardees are as follows, by division:

Ms. Hula Maui:

1st: Wailohia Sula / Hlau o Ka Hanu Lehua / Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona / (Wailuku, Maui)
2nd: Tyra Maukaa Fonseca / Ka P Hula o Kauanoe o Waahila / Kumu Hula Maelia Lobenstein Carter / (Kaimuki, Oahu)

Mr. Hula Maui:

1st: Dustin Pmaikai Kaleiopu / Hlonaikeohokapalai / Kumu Hula Pmaikai Krueger / (Haleiwa, Oahu)
2nd: Edward Kalanikini Maxwell Juan / Pukalani Hula Hale / Kumu Hula Hiilei Maxwell-Juan / (Pukalani, Maui)

Group Kahiko Wahine:

1st: Hlau Hula N Mamo o Kaleinani / Kumu Hula Seiko Kaleinanikauikawkiu Okamoto / (Shibuya, Japan)
2nd: Nani Ola Hawaiian Dance Company / Kumu Hula Kanani Pharr-Cadaoas / (Las Vegas, Nevada)

Group Kahiko Kane:

1st: Hlau o Ka Hanu Lehua / Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona / (Wailuku, Maui)

Group Auana Wahine

1st: Hlau Hula N Mamo o Kaleinani / Kumu Hula Seiko Kaleinanikauikawkiu Okamoto / (Shibuya, Japan)
2nd: Hlau N Lei Kaumaka o Uka / Kumu Hula Npua Greig-Nakasone / (Kula, Maui)

Group Auana Kane

1st: Hlau o Ka Hanu Lehua / Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona / (Wailuku, Maui)

Kupuna
1st: Hlau Hula Kauluokal / Kumu Hula Uluwehi Guerrero / (Kahului, Maui)
2nd: Hlau Hula N Mamo o Kaleinani / Kumu Hula Seiko Kaleinanikauikawkiu Okamoto / (Shibuya, Japan)
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Special Awards:

Palikumaikalewalani Oli Award (recognizes the hlau that exhibits excellence in oli): Ka P Hula o Kauanoe o Waahila /
Kumu Hula Maelia Lobenstein Carter / (Kaimuki, Oahu)

Maui Nui Award (recognizes the hlau that participated fully in all aspects of the Competition and has tried to be
involved in as many divisions as possible): Hlau o Ka Hanu Lehua / Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona / (Wailuku, Maui)

Leianaikaroselaniomaui Award (recognizes the hlau that exhibits overall excellence in hula): Hlau Hula Kauluokal /
Kumu Hula Uluwehi Guerrero / (Kahului, Maui)

The lelo Makuahine Award (recognizes the hlau that exhibits excellence in Hawaiian Language use): Hlau Hula N
Mamo o Kaleinani / Kumu Hula Seiko Kaleinanikauikawkiu Okamoto / (Shibuya, Japan)

Link to images: K Mai Ka Hula Images

K Mai Ka Hula is presented by Maui Arts & Cultural Center and Kauahea Inc. Sponsors include Tihati Productions and with
additional support from Old Lahaina Lau, the County of Maui, the Mayors Office of Economic Development, Queen
Kaahumanu Shopping Center, Kaanapali Beach Hotel and Hawaii USA Federal Credit Union.

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ABOUT KAUAHEA INC:

Kauahea Inc. supports Hawaiian arts and culture, Hawaiian spiritual practices, and the preservation and perpetuation of Hawaiian
language. The organization is committed to providing opportunities for access to arts and cultural learning, knowledge of Hawaiian
spiritual practices and ceremonial activities, and Hawaiian culture and language learning opportunities throughout the Maui
community. For more information, visit the website at Kauahea.org.

ABOUT MAUI ARTS & CULTURAL CENTER:

Maui Arts & Cultural Center (MACC) opened in 1994, and in 2014 celebrated its 20th anniversary. The Center is the culmination of a
long-standing dream of Mauis residents to build a world-class gathering place for the arts. The Center is the most comprehensive,
multidisciplinary arts facility in Hawaii. Its diverse facilities include the state-of-the-art, 1,200-seat Castle Theater; multipurpose 300-
seat McCoy Studio Theater; the 4,100-square foot museum-quality Schaefer International Gallery; the 5,000-seat capacity outdoor
Alexander & Baldwin Amphitheater; a mix of dance studio, classroom, and meeting room spaces, and the P, dedicated to Hawaiian
cultural traditions, such as hula and storytelling. The Yokouchi Pavilion complex features a concert stage under a glass-capped roof,
bistro dining in a glass-covered courtyard, built-in beverage bars, catering preparation kitchen, and second-floor gathering hall. The
MACC is a private, 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation governed by a volunteer board of directors and supported by the generosity of people
who love Maui. For more information, call 808-242-ARTS (2787) or visit MauiArts.org.