2006 Kaua`i Composers Contest Winners

Flores and Aki Top Winners of Kaua`i Composers Contest

Chanel Flores composed the song “Kalalau” that won the Na Po'e (People's Choice) awarded by the audience in attendance at the Kauai Community College Performing Arts Center Monday night. The Kaua'i Composers Contest and Concert featured thirteen original songs in four categories by composers from Kauai.

Flores was inspired to write about the song because her great grandmother was born in the Kalalau Valley. Judges awarded this song the Commercial Potential award, Best Lyrical Content, and first place in the Contemporary Hawaiian category.

Fred Aki won the Performers award, first place Professional category, and received the award for highest score by the judges for his song “Wailua Nui Hoano” (Great Sacred Wailua). Aki was inspired to write his song by the changes he has witnessed over the last 25 years in the lower portion of the valley where the waters flow into the Pacific Ocean.

Aki's song pays tribute to the history of the Wailua area, and said, “I wonder what it would be like for our kupuna, our ancestors, who lived and walked in this valley contrasted with all the construction going on today in this area.” Historical documentation indicates the ancient significance of Wailua is shown through the legends back to the thirteenth century. The Wailua area was one of the most desirable places to live in ancient Hawaii. It was the home of the queens and kings, the alii, of Kaua'i. It was a famous place throughout Hawaii and in parts of Central Polynesia.

Results by category for the Composers Contest from Monday evening September 18, 2006:

Hawaiian Category:

• 1st Place - “Hanama`ulu” by Fran Nestel. Also, the Hawaiian Language award winner
• 2nd Place - “Anahola Kahakai” by Fran Kalb

Contemporary Hawaiian:

• 1st Place - “Kalalau” by Chanel Flores, Cheryl Paogofie, Nic Kaneakua, Malia Rogers, Omi Kaiwi

• 2nd Place - “Mana” by Chanel Flores, Cheryl Paogofie, Alia Fernandez, Omi Kaiwi

• 3rd Place - “Na Leo Nahenahe O Kaua'i” by Madelein Brandli & Arnold Meister

Open Category:

• 1st Place - “I Will Hold Your Hand” by Madeleine Brandli

• 2nd Place -”Breathe” by Laurie Williams

• 3rd Place - “The Best Love” by Laurie Williams

Professional Category:

• Winner – “Wailua Nui Hoano” by Fred Aki

SPECIAL AWARDS:
Commercial Potential - “Kalalau” by Chanel Flores, Cheryl Paogofie, Nic Kaneakua, Malia Rogers, Omi Kaiwi

Lyrical Content - “Kalalau”  by Chanel Flores, Cheryl Paogofie, Nic Kaneakua, Malia Rogers, Omi Kaiwi

Performers Award - “Wailua Nui Hoano” by Fred Aki

Highest Score – “Wailua Nui Hoano” by Fred Aki

Na Po`e Award - “Kalalau”  by Chanel Flores, Cheryl Paogofie, Nic Kaneakua, Malia Rogers, Omi Kaiwi

Sponsors to be acknowledged for this event include:

~A&B and Kukui`ula Development donated $1,000 each.

~Ned Selfe donated $100 for Hawaiian Language & $100 for Highest Score

~Kustom Sounds Kauai (Michael Dandurand) donated $150 for Professional

~Kauai Beach Hotel and Resort – room donation

Awards and Bowls for the event were provided by other donations to the Kauai Mokihana Festival.

The week long festival is sponsored in part by the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the County of Kauai Office of Economic Development. The festival continues with cultural workshops, hula and events occurring daily through the week ending Saturday, Sept. 23. To find out more about the Kaua`i Mokihana Festival, email KMFKauai@hawaii.rr.com or visit http://mokihana.kauai.net

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NOTE: Kauai Mokihana Festival photos available for publicity – Joe Olivas photographer
email: bain@kauai.net or Joe Olivas - joe.olivas6@hawaiiantel.net