Kaua`i Mokihana Festival News

Hapa Haole Hula May Day 20005 Press Release

To: ALL MEDIA PRESS RELEASE – May 2, 2005
From: Kaua`i Mokihana Festival - Contact: Nathan Kalma 808-822-2166 Event Coordinator
PR Contact: Carol Bain 246-2111 bain@kauai.net

Watanabe Wins Hapa Haole Hula 2005 Solo
(Photo of Yumi Watanabe below)

Dancing to the upbeat tempo of “Kuhio Beach Mele”, Yumi Watanabe won first place business solo in 2005 Hapa Haole Hula May Day at Radisson Kaua`i Beach Resort Saturday, April 30, sponsored by Ke`ala O Ka Laua’e Halau Hula. The award for best musical performance was won by the group Na Punua O Kaua'i.
As always, event coordinator Nathan Kalama created audience participation, assigning visitors from the Netherlands, Japan, Canada and the mainland to be honorary May Day King, Queen and Princesses for a day. These delighted, honorary ali`i awarded Karlyn Sukehira their “people’s choice award for the best hula danced to “Beautiful Kaua’i”. Sukehira also won the Hotel Solo first place.
“Hapa haole music and hula is usually upbeat and lighthearted but sets a demanding pace to dance to,” Kalama explained. “It takes stamina, fitness and much practice to perform the dancing well, often for long duration. This is the popular music visitor’s love, and the performers that work so hard to professionally entertain are given the acknowledgement they deserve at this event.”
In the business group category, sponsored by Anuenue Wireless, Inc., Aunty Beverly Apana Muraoka led the Healani’s Hula Halau & Music Academy dancers to first place dancing to “Coconut Island”. A syncopated version of “Sophisticated Hula” brought Rohutu Entertainment second place.
Continuing in the business solo category, sponsored by Gaylord’s Kilohana Luau, Monica Maycong won 2nd place. Naomi Navarro won 3rd place sponsored anonymously. Rohotu Entertainment sponsored Veronica Pablo and Nicole Balbarino. Kauaian Days sponsored Heu`ionalani Bandmann..
The event was a fundraiser for Kaua`i Mokihana Festival and Hawaii Hotel Association Charity Walk (Saturday May 21, 2005). Sponsors include: Hawai`i Tourism Authority, County of Kaua`i Office of Economic Development, WalMart, Radisson Kaua`i Beach Resort. Many local businesses contributed, including: Hanalei Bay Resort, Kenui Aloha Lei Greeters, T&R Trophies, Lady Ipo Ferreira. ###
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