About Kū Mai Ka Hula
“Hula encourages you to push yourself out of your comfort zone, to look at the world through the eyes of others, and to be grateful for all that is Hawaiʻi. To me, that popular phrase ‘Hula is life’ means more than ‘Hula is what I love to do.
It means ‘Hula is who I am.’”
-na Hōkūlani Holt
About the Competition.
Come and celebrate Maui with us! Kū Mai Ka Hula, Maui's only adult hula competition, features award-winning hālau competing in solo and group performances. Kane (Male) and Wahine (female) dancers from hālau in Hawaiʻi, Japan, and the Continental US, compete in both kahiko (traditional) and ‘auana (modern) hula stylings. All portions of the competition are judged by renowned kumu hula from throughout Hawai`i.
To celebrate the hula and preserve its legacy, the late kumu hula Akoni Akana created an adult competition called Maui Festivals in 2000. Before his passing, Hōkūlani Holt agreed she would carry it on using a new name – Kū Mai Ka Hula - Hula Appears. Holt has served as the Competition director since its inception in 2006.
In 2026, Kū Mai Ka Hula celebrated its 20th Anniversary. The Competition continually showcases Ms. and Mr. Hula Maui kahiko and ʻauana performances and Group competition for Kāne, Wāhine, and Kūpuna.
2026 Soloist Award Winners
Mr. Hula Maui
1st Place: Loʻikena Yamamoto from Hālau Ka Pā Hula o Hīnano under the direction of Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro
Ms. Hula Maui
1st Place: Piʻilaniwahine Kaʻeo from Hālau Hula Kauluokalā under the direction of Nā Kumu Hula Uluwehi Guerrero and Kaui Krueger
2nd Place: Ceanna-Lei Kaʻiulani Batin Kaui from Hālau Ka Pā Hula o Hīnano under the direction of Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro
2026 Group Award Winners
Wāhine Kahiko
1st Place: Hālau Nāwehiokaipoaloha/ Kumu Hula Ipolei Lindsey-Asing
2nd Place: Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka/ Kumu Hula Nāpua Silva
Wahine ʻAuana
1st Place: Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka/ Kumu Hula Nāpua Silva
2nd Place: Hālau Nāwehiokaipoaloha/ Kumu Hula Ipolei Lindsey-Asing
Kūpuna ʻAuana
1st Place: Hālau Ka Pā Hula o Hīnano/ Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro
2nd Place: Hālau Ka Ua Tuahine/ Kumu Hula Māhealani Uchiyama
2026 Perpetual Awards
Leianaikaroselani O Maui Award
recognizes the hālau that exhibits overall excellence in hula
Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka
Kumu Hula Nāpua Silva
ʻŌlelo Makuahine Award
recognizes the hālau that exhibits excellence in Hawaiian Language use by hoʻopaʻa and musicians
Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka
Kumu Hula Nāpua Silva
Maui Nui Award
recognizes the hālau that participated fully in all aspects of the competition and has tried to be involved in as many divisions as possible
Hālau Ka Pā Hula o Hīnano
Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro
Palikūmaikalewalani Oli Award
recognizes the hālau that exhibits excellence in oli
Hālau Nāwehiokaipoaloha
Kumu Hula Ipolei Lindsey-Asing
Mele Aloha Award
recognizes the Mr. or Ms. Hula Maui entrant that exhibits excellence in their research paper
Loʻikena Yamamoto/ Hālau Ka Pā Hula o Hīnano
Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro
