For the second year in a row, a Kaua‘i dancer from Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leināʻala was among the top winners in the Miss Aloha Hula competition at theannual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo.
On Thursday night, Jelacia Naomi Waiauokalaniākea Peralta and 12 other women graced the iconic stage at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Stadium, showcasing a kahiko (ancient) and ‘auana (modern) hula, and were scored by eight judges at the 63rd annual competition.
Peralta, under the direction of Kumu Breeze Ann Kalehuaonālani Vidinha Pavao, from Kalāheo, was fourth runner-up with 1,098 points.
The 2026 Miss Aloha Hula title was won by 21-year-old Faith Lynn Kealohapauʻole Paredes of Wailuku, Maui.
Paredes, with Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi, and under the direction of Kumu Haunani and ʻIliahi Paredes, secured the win with 1,161 points. Paredes also captured the Hawaiian Language Award.
Paredes graduated from Kamehameha Schools and now attends Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. In 2015, she won the title of Miss Keiki Hula.
Peralta follows in the dance steps of her hula sister Jaedyn Janae Puahaulani Pavao, who was the first dancer from the Kaua‘i hālau to take home the Miss Aloha Hula title in 2025.
Before stepping down as Miss Aloha Hula, Pavao performed an emotional hula solo for the audience on Thursday, honoring her late Kumu Hula Leinā‘ala Pavao Jardin, who passed away last October from cancer.
On Thursday night, judges scored the dancers on several elements, including kaʻi (opening chant and procession onto the stage); interpretation and expression; posture and precision; hand gestures; foot and body movement; hoʻi (closing chant and dance while leaving stage); authenticity of costume and adornments; grooming; and overall performance.
The first runner-up was Keoe Momilani Michiko Hoe with Hālau Hiʻiakaināmakalehua from Kona, Oʻahu, under the direction of Kumu Hula Robert Ke‘ano Ka‘upu IV with 1,156 points.
The second runner-up was Lahela Hoʻokela Medina Maio with Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe, under the direction of Kumu Hula Tracie and Keawe Lopes, from Pūʻahuʻula, Koʻolaupoko, Oʻahu, with 1,134 points.
The third runner-up was Leimana Kaleinamanu Purdy with Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka, under the direction of Kumu Hula Nāpua Silva, from Waiohuli, Maui, with 1,115 points.
Group performances by 19 hālau will start Friday night with kahiko. The competition will culminate on Saturday with ‘auana performances.
Hawai‘i News Now – KFVE, the festival’s official broadcaster, carries the competition events live on-air and online each night, as well as special coverage during newscasts and on streaming platforms and social media.
