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 2025, Kū Mai Ka Hula will celebrate its 18th Anniversary. The Competition will showcase Ms. and Mr. Hula Maui kahiko and ʻauana performances and the Group competition for Kāne, Wāhine, and Kūpuna.
2025 Perpetual Awards
Leianaikaroselani O Maui Award
recognizes the hālau that exhibits overall excellence in hula
Hālau ʻO Kealani/ Kumu Hula Yukiko Minami
ʻŌlelo Makuahine Award
recognizes the hālau that exhibits excellence in Hawaiian Language use by hoʻopaʻa and musicians
Hālau O Lilinoe/ Kumu Hula Lilinoe Kaio
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 o ka Hanu Lehua/ Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona
Palikūmaikalewalani Oli Award
recognizes the hālau that exhibits excellence in oli
Nā Pualei o Likolehua/ Kumu Hula Niuliʻi Heine
Mele Aloha Award
recognizes the Mr. or Ms. Hula Maui entrant that exhibits excellence in their research paper
Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua/ Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona
2025 Soloist Award Winners
Mr. Hula Maui
1st Place: Dave Kawika Punio from Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua under the direction of Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona
2nd Place: Shayce Kuakapuokalaniakea Dalire-Naʻauao from Keolalaulani Hālau ʻOlapa O Laka under the direction of Kumu Hula Keolalaulani Dalire
Ms. Hula Maui
1st Place: Cierra Mei-Ling Hauʻolimaikalani Kawaʻa from Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua under the direction of Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona
2nd Place: Kehaulani Kaleikaumaka Meaʻiʻomakamae Rubonal from Keolalaulani Hālau ʻOlapa O Laka under the direction of Kumu Hula Keolalaulani Dalire
2025 Group Award Winners
Kane Kahiko
1st Place: Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua/ Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona
2nd Place: Hālau Ka Pā Hula O Hinano/ Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro
Kane ʻAuana
1st Place: Hālau Ka Pā Hula O Hinano/ Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro
2nd Place: Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua/ Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona
Wāhine Kahiko
1st Place: Nā Pualei o Likolehua/ Kumu Hula Niuliʻi Heine
2nd Place: Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua/ Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona
Wahine ʻAuana
1st Place: Hālau Ka Pā Hula O Hinano/ Kumu Hula Troy Allen Hīnano Lazaro
2nd Place: Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua/ Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona
Kūpuna ʻAuana
1st Place: Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua/ Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona
2nd Place: Hālau o Lilinoe/ Kumu Hula Lilinoe Kaio
