Halau Na Pua ‘O Uluhaimalama, under the direction of kumu hula Emery Aceret, represented Hawaii Island from July 18-20 at the George Na‘ope Hula Festival in Sacramento, California.
Halau Na Pua ‘O Uluhaimalama, under the direction of kumu hula Emery Aceret, represented Hawaii Island from July 18-20 at the George Na‘ope Hula Festival in Sacramento, California.
They brought home first place in kahiko and auana in the Kane Group Division, second place in the Kane Solo Division (Kenan Shaw-Demello) and second place in the Makuahine Division (Jennifer Kanoelani Veloria Delacruz). Other dancers contributing to the wins were Miniano Doran and Matt Delo Santos.
The competition, organized by Rick San Nicolas and the Makanaaloha Group, is in its eighth year of honoring the late Big Island hula master, George Lanakilakeikiahiali‘i Na‘ope. Eleven halau entered the competition, with 50 solo entries and 48 group entries this year, said spokeswoman Debbie Arita.