Keiki hula festival crowns top contestants

FL Morris / fmorris@staradvertiser.com

A dancer performs in the 36th Annual Queen Liliuokalani Keiki Hula Competition.

Shayla Ballesteros of Halau Na Lei Kaumaka o Uka was named Miss Keiki Hula 2011 at the 36th annual Queen Lili‘uokalani Keiki Hula Competition.

The three-day event ended Saturday at the Neal Blaisdell Arena.

First runner-up was Pi‘ikea Lopes of Ka La ‘Onohi Mai o Ha‘eha‘e, followed by Mehana Muranaka of Aloha ‘o Pu‘uwailani Halau, Manaia Moe of Halau Ka Liko Pua o Kalaniakea and Karlee Chong Kee of Halau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi.

Rahstan Benevides of Halau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi was named Master Keiki Hula 2011.

First runner-up was Zane Biscocho of Halau Hula Olana, followed by Gaku Tamai of Hula Halau ‘o Leilani, Java Aguon-Kona of Halau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala, and Heiari‘i Weza of Halau Kala‘akeakauikawekiu.

The winners in other categories were:

» Hula kahiko (kaikamahine): Halau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi.

» Hula kahiko (keiki kane): Halau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala.

» Malia Craver Hawaiian Language Trophy: Halau Mohala ‘Ilima

» Mary Kawena Pukui Hawaiian Language: Ka La ‘Onohi Mai o Ha‘eha‘e.

» Hula auana (kaikamahine): Halau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala.

» Hula auana (keiki kane): Halau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi.

» Wendell Kalanikapuaenui Silva Overall Kane Perpetual Trophy: Halau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi.

» Pat Namaka Bacon Overall Kaikamahine Perpetual Trophy: Halau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala.