Kaua‘i dancer places third in Miss Aloha Hula at Merrie Monarch Hula Festival

Kaʻōnohikaumakaakeawe Kananiokeakua Holokai Lopes was named this year’s Miss Aloha Hula at the 61st Annual Merrie Monarch Hula Competition.

Under the direction of Kumu Hula Tracie and Keawe Lopes from Halau ‘Ōnohi Mai O Ha‘eha‘e, from Windward O‘ahu, Lopes received an overall score of 1,164. She also captured the Hawaiian Language award.

The first runner-up is Amedée Kauakohemālamalama Conley-Kapoi. From Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi, under the direction of Nā Kumu Hula Haunani & ‘Iliahi Paredes, from Wailuku, Maui, Conley-Kapoi received a score of 1,122.

Second-runner-up is Nāhakuʻelua ʻĀpuakēhau Kekauoha. From Hula Hālau ‘O Kamuela, from Kalihi & Waimānalo O‘ahu, under the direction of Kumu Hula Kunewa Mook & Kau‘ionālani Kamana‘o, she received a final score of 1,120.

From Kaua‘i, Heleolanimaināmakaohāʻena Hailee Jo Yokotake was third runner-up. From Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leinā‘ala, under the direction of Kumu Hula Leinā‘ala Pavao Jardin, Yotake received a score of 1,119.

The fourth runner-up was Caly Ann Kamōʻīwahineokaimana Ragonton Domingo. Under the direction of Kumu William Kahakuleilehua Haunu‘u “Sonny” Ching & Lōpaka Igarta-De Vera from Kapahulu Oahu, she received a final score of 1,111.

The Merrie Monarch Hula Competition continues tonight with group performances by hālau in kahiko and Saturday in ‘auana.