DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Hula Halau O Kamuela under kumu hula Kau'ionalani Kamana'o and Kunewa Mook celebrates after they were crowned kahiko and auana winners in the Merrie Monarch Festival hula competition. Kumu hula Kau'ionalani Kamana'o gets a congratulatory kiss from his girlfriend, Mika Hirao-Solem. On Kamana'o's left is Paleka Breyanna Leina'ala Mattos-Farias, 7, granddaughter of Paleka Mattos. CLICK FOR LARGE
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Merrie Monarch winners crowned
Hula Halau O Kamuela and Halau I Ka Wekiu recorded first place wins
» See coverage of the Merrie Monarch, with complete results and photos in tomorrow's Today section.
HILO» The wahine of Hula Halau 'O Kamuela and the kane of Halau I Ka Wekiu swept the kahiko and 'auana competitions to win the overall wahine and kane titles at this year's 44th annual Merrie Monarch Festival.
In an tight race among the best of the wahine halau, Kau'ionalani Kamana'o and Kunewa Mook's Hula Halau 'O Kamuela won the overall title by a mere 10 points over second-place Halau Mohala 'Ilima and kumu hula Mapuana de Silva. The halau won the kahiko category via a tiebreaker, winning by five points over Halau Na Lei Kaumaka O Uka and kumu hula Napua Greig and Kahula Maluo-Huber.
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Hula Halau O Kamuela under the direction of kumu hula Kau'ionalani Kamana'o & Kunewa Mook celebrates after they were announced winners. CLICK FOR LARGE
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The popular Halau I Ka Wekiu of Karl Veto Baker and Michael Casupang survived tough challenges from Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka La with kumu hula Kaleo Trinidad and Ka Pa Hula O Ka Lei Lehua and kumu Snowbird Bento to win kane overall.
Hula Halau 'O Kamuela showed that they were the class of the wahine with the kahiko performance of "He Mele Hulu No Kapi'olani i Waimanalo," a chant celebrating Queen Kapiolani, and an elegant and enrapturing hula that just got better as it unfolded, "Ola'a Beauty."
The kane halau were especially competitive, but Halau I Ka Wekiu won with a sensual and sensational "Ku'u Hoa i Ka 'Ili Hau O Mana" in the kahiko category and a classy tribute to the Merrie Monarch himself, King Kalakaua, in "He'eia."
Hula Halau 'O Kamuela and Halau I Ka Wekia both previously won the 'auana category in 2005 and 2004, respectively.
Festival results
Wahine Overall: Hula Halau 'O Kamuela - 1,178 pts. Halau Mohala 'Ilima - 1,168 pts. Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka La - 1,160 pts.
Wahine Kahiko: Hula Halau 'O Kamuela and Halau Na Lei Kaumaka O Uka - 591 pts. (Hula Halau 'O Kamuela wins by tiebreaker, 822 to 817 pts.) Halau Mohala 'Ilima - 585 pts. Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka La - 582 pts. Ka Pa Hula O Kauanoe O Wa'ahila - 581 pts.
Wahine 'Auana: Hula Halau 'O Kamuela - 587 pts. Halua Mohala 'Ilima - 583 pts. Halau o ke 'A'ali'i Ku Makani - 582 pts. Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka La - 578 pts. Keolalaulani Halau 'Olapa o Laka - 577 pts.
Kane Overall: Halau I Ka Wekiu - 1,179 pts. Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka La - 1,132 pts. Ka Pa Hula O Ka Lei Lehua - 1,109 pts.
Kane Kahiko: Halau I Ka Wekiu - 568 pts. Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka La - 555 pts. Ka Pa Hula O Ka Lei Lehua - 554 pts. Halau o Ka Hanu Lehua - 534 pts.
Kane 'Auana: Halau I Ka Wekiu - 611 pts. Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka La - 577 pts. Ka Pa Hula O Ka Lei Lehua - 555 pts. Academy of Hawaiian Arts - 551 pts.
