Pearl City High School hosted the 2012 Malia Craver Hula Kahiko Competition presented by Kalihi-Palama Cultural Arts Society, Inc. on Saturday, May 12 in the school gymnasium.
2012 Malia Craver Hula Kahiko Competition
(The following excerpt is taken from the 2012 Malia Craver Hula Kahiko Competition program)
The purpose of the Malia Craver Hula Kahiko Competition is to provide secondary school students with the opportunity to learn about the Hawaiian culture, receive hula training not otherwise available to them, and share their accomplishments in a competition among their peers. The competition is named for its founder and renowned cultural resource, Aunty Malia Craver….
Twelve entries representing three Intermediate and nine High School’s competed on Saturday.
INTERMEDIATE DIVISION
KING INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL – Advisor/Instructor: Keola Ka'uhane
SEABURY HALL – Advisor/Instructor: Napua Makua
KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOL MAUI – Advisor/Instructor: Kapono'ai Molitau and Sissy Lake-Farm
HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION
KAILUA HIGH SCHOOL – Advisor/Instructor: Ku Souza
HALAU KU MANA PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL – Advisor/Instructor: Kawika Mersberg
MILILANI HIGH SCHOOL – Advisor/Instructor: Kekoa Wong
SEABURY HALL – Advisor/Instructor: Napua Makua
PUNAHOU SCHOOL – Advisor: Lauli'a Ah Wong Instructors: Doreen Doo and the alaka'i of ka Pa Lehua
KAMEHAMEHA HIGH SCHOOL – KAPALAMA – Advisor/Instructor: Kaleo Trinidad
ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL – Advisor/Instructor: Blaine Ikaika Dutro
IOLANI SCHOOL – Advisor: Ed Collier Instructors: Lehua Carvalho and Sean Nakayama
ST. LOUIS SCHOOL – Advisor: Leilani Puchalski Instructors: Keli'i and Leilani Puchalski
Jan Kahoku Yoneda served as Mistress of Ceremonies. Hula Judges included: Aloha Dalire, Leimomi Ho, and Nathan Napoka.
In Saturday's competition, the island of Maui turned in award winning performances with Seabury Hall bringing home 1st place in the Intermediate Wahine Division, 1st place in the High School Wahine Division, and also winning the GEORGE KANANIOKEKUA HOLOKAI OVERALL TROPHY. Kamehameha – Maui won the LOKOMAIKA’IOKALANI SNAKENBERG HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE TROPHY.
Kamehameha – Kapalama won 1st Place in High School Kane Divsion, 2nd Place in the High School Wahine Division, 1st Place in the High School Hui I'a Division, AUNTY MALIA CRAVER HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE TROPHY, EDITH KAWELOHEA MCKINZIE OVERALL TROPHY, INVITATION TO PERFORM AT THE PRINCE LOT HULA FESTIVAL.
Host Pearl City High School High did not enter in this year’s competition but was well represented in helping out throughout the event. Pearl City High School Math Teacher and PCHS graduate, Tricia Sumstine served as a Tally Official along with Nanea Abiva. For Sumstine, it was a family affair as her sister Kimberly Itagaki was in charge of Hospitality and mom Jan Itagaki is the Executive Director of Kalihi Palama Cultural & Arts.
“My mom is Jan Itagaki the Executive Director of Kalihi Palama Cultural & Arts and I’ve been helping her for years and years, ever since I was a small kid,” said Sumstine. “This year she asked to have Pearl City High School host for the competition. This year, Pearl City High School students are not participating or entering, but they’re helping out. We have Mrs. Bicoy’s Dancers of Hawaii kids helping man the doors and to be runners. Outside in the snack bar, Mr. Hai Ngyuen, who is the Robotics Club Advisor and Math Teacher, is selling food so they can support their program. Mike Pang (PCHS Assistant Athletics Director) is helping us with the gym facilities and Chad Yamashiro is running the sound.”
The Malia Craver Hula Kahiko Competition moves each year within the participating schools. “Every year we go to different schools, whoever welcomes us in,” Sumstine said. “I think next year my mom said it might be at St. Louis.
With each year, the hula competition is a success in fulfilling its mission to teach the Hawaiian culture and to advance the hula skills of the students. Congratulations to those who contribute their expertise and time to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture through the art of Hula.
MyPearlCity.com would like to thank the organizers of the 2012 Malia Craver Hula Kahiko Competition for the opportunity to cover and document the event. Also mahalo to Tricia Sumstine for the final results and contact information.
Malia Craver Hula Kahiko Competition
2012 WINNERS
INTERMEDIATE DIVISION
WAHINE
1ST Place Seabury Hall
HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION
WAHINE
1st Place Seabury Hall
2nd Place Kamehameha High School – Kapalama
3rd Place Punahou School
KANE
1st Place Kamehameha High School – Kapalama
2nd Place St. Louis School
3rd Place Halau Ku Mana Public Charter School
HUI ‘IA
1st Place Kamehameha High School – Kapalama
2nd Place Halau Ku Mana Public Charter School
3rd Place King Intermediate School
AUNTY MALIA CRAVER HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE TROPHY
Hui ‘la
Kamehameha High School– Kapalama
EDITH KAWELOHEA MCKINZIE OVERALL TROPHY
Kane
Kamehameha High School– Kapalama
LOKOMAIKA’IOKALANI SNAKENBERG HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE TROPHY
Wahine
Kamehameha School – Maui
GEORGE KANANIOKEKUA HOLOKAI OVERALL TROPHY
Wahine
Seabury Hall
INVITATION TO PERFORM AT THE PRINCE LOT HULA FESTIVAL
Kamehameha High School– Kapalama
To learn more about the Malia Craver Hula Kahiko Competition and Kalihi-Palama Cultural Arts Society, Inc. please go to the Kalihi-Palama Culture & Arts Society, Inc. web site: http://www.kpcahawaii.com/Site/Hula_Kahiko_history.html
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Seabury Hall also won the Wahine GEORGE KANANIOKEKUA HOLOKAI OVERALL TROPHY. Napua Makua pictured with presenter Les Pang.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Kamehameha High School– Kapalama won the EDITH KAWELOHEA MCKINZIE OVERALL TROPHY. Pictured here with Aunty Edith who presented the winners with their award.
Kamehameha High School– Kapalama also won an invitation to perform at the prestigious Prince Lot Hula Festival. The invitation was also presented by Aunty Edith.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Kimberly Itagaki (left) and Tricia Sumstine (right) take a break for a photo during the 2012 Malia Craver Hula Kahiko Competition held at Pearl City High School. Kimberly and Tricia are sisters and Pearl City High School graduates.