Swinging & swaying: Dancers from Big Island, Japan show grace during Kupuna Hula Festival

KEAUHOU — Eighteen halau from Hawaii and Japan descended upon the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay on Sept. 13-14 for the 35th annual Kupuna Hula Festival.

Presented by the county Parks and Recreation Elderly Activities Division as a part of the Hawaii Island Festival, this year’s theme was the famous sands of Kahelelani (Niihau) to the fragrant scent of Kamawaelualani (Kauai).

Individual dancers competed Wednesday evening in the Tutu Kane and Tutu Wahine category followed by the International Hoolaulea, a noncompetition freestyle event.

Thursday brought the Wahine, Kane and Mixed divisions where dancers ranging in age from 55-80 and older performed, choosing a song for the islands of Niihau or Kauai, telling of name places or describing things unique to those islands.

Email Laura Ruminski at lruminski@westhawaiitoday.com.

35th Annual Kupuna Hula Festival Winners

Tutu Kane

First place: Allen Diorec, Na Kupuna O Moana, Molokai

Second place: Michael Foley, Na Kupuna O Kohala, Kohala

Third place: Makana Makoto Satou, Hula Halau O Pua Loke, Japan

Tutu Wahine

First place: Haunani Kamakana, Na Kupuna O Moana, Kaunakakai, Molokai

Second place: Denise Bigelow, Halau Kalaakeakauikawekiu, Kailua-Kona

Third place: Natsuko Arai, Ka Pa Hula O Keolananilehua, Japan

Kane Division

First place: Na Kupuna O Kohala, Kohala

Second place: Na Kupuna O Moana, Kaunakakai, Molokai

Third place: Hula Halau O Pua Loke, Japan

Wahine Division

First place: Hula Na Pua Ui O Hawaii, Kailua-Kona

Second place: Halau Kala‘akeakauikawekiu, Kailua-Kona

Third place: Hula Halau O Kawananakoa, Keaukaha

Mixed Division

First place: Na Kupuna O Moana, Kaunakakai, Molokai

Second place: Na Kupuna O Kohala, Kohala

Third place: Hula Halau O Pua Loke, Japan

Overall Group, Total Points: Na Kupuna O Moana, Kaunakakai, Molokai