PHOTOS: Taizha Keakealani Hughes-Kaluhiokalani is New Miss Aloha Hula

The Miss Aloha Hula event showcases individuals competing for the title of Miss Aloha Hula with performances of hula kahiko, hula ʻauana and oli (chant).

Taizha Keakealani Hughes-Kaluhiokalani won the title of Miss Aloha Hula Thursday, April 25, 2019, at Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium in Hilo, Hawa‘i. Scoring 1130 points, Hughes-Kaluhiokalani also won the Hawaiian Language award.

She hails from Hālau Hiʻiakainamakalehua of Kalihi, O‘ahu, under the direction of Kumu Hula Robert Keʻano Kaʻupu IV and Lono Padilla.

Thirteen dancers graced the stage with both a kahiko (ancient) and auana (modern) hula as they sought the coveted title.

Last year’s Miss Aloha Hula Shalia Kapuauʻionalani Kikuyo Kamakaokalani of Maui represented Hālau Na Lei Kaumaka O Uka under the direction of kumu hula Napua Greig in her final performance, 

Group competition began with the kahiko competition.

Miss Aloha Hula & Hawaiian Language Award
Taizha Keakealani Hughes-Kaluhiokalani
Halau: Hi`iakaināmakalehua
Kumu Hula: Robert Ke‘ano Ka‘upu IV & Lono Padilla
Scores: 1130 & 47

Taizha Keakealani Hughes-Kaluhiokalani. PC: Merrie Monarch Facebook

Taizha Keakealani Hughes-Kaluhiokalani. PC: Merrie Monarch Facebook

First Runner-Up
Lindsey Kahiehielauna‘ole Miwa Ching
Halau: Ka La `Ōnohi Mai O Ha‘eha‘e
Kumu Hula: Tracie & Keawe Lopes
Score: 1119

Lindsey Kahiehielaunaʻole Miwa Ching. PC: Merrie Monarch Facebook

Second Runner-Up
Ka‘imilani Marie Corpuz
Hālau: Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi
Kumu Hula: Haunani & ‘Iliahi Paredes
Score: 1114

Ka‘imilani Marie Corpuz. PC: Merrie Monarch Facebook

Third Runner-Up
Shirell Ku‘upuamakamae Holokai Paro
Hālau: Hālau Nā Mamo O Pu`uanahulu
Kumu Hula: William Kahakuleilehua Haunu‘u “Sonny” Ching & Lōpaka Igarta-De Vera
Score: 1088

Shirell Ku‘upuamakamae Holokai Paro. PC: Merrie Monarch Facebook

Fourth Runner-Up
Alyssa Ayuma Ka‘imilani Dolbeare
Hālau: Hula Hālau ‘O Kamuela
Kumu Hula: Kunewa Mook & Kau‘ionālani Kamana‘o
Score: 1075

Alyssa Ayumi Kaʻimilani Dolbeare. PC: Merrie Monarch Facebook

Tasha Kauluwehiokalani Ah Quin-Soren
Hālau Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniākea
Kumu: Kapua Dalire-Moe
Hula: Eia Au Lā E Ka Ipo Ē

Tasha Kauluwehiokalani Ah Quin-Soren. Merrie Monarch Facebook

Kealohilani Gardner
Kealiʻikaʻapunihonua Keʻena Aʻo Hula
Kumu: Leimomi Ho
Hula: Maikaʻi Kauaʻi

Kealohilani Gardner. Merrie Monarch Facebook

Kalena Kawohikūkapulani Young Hoʻopiʻi
Hālau O Ka Hanu Lehua
Kumu: Kamaka Kukona
Hula: Ka Laulā o Wailuku

Kalena Kawohikūkapulani Young Hoʻopiʻi. PC: Merrie Monarch Facebook

Breann Kamakaokalani Sachiko Brewer
Hālau Hula Olana
Kumu: Howard & Olana Ai, and Shelsea Ai Apana
Hula: Ka Ipo Lei Manu

Breann Kamakaokalani Sachiko Brewer. PC: Merrie Monarch Facebook

Mami Kapiʻinaakalā Erica Ogiwara
Hālau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine
Kumu: Kaʻilihiwa Vaughan-Darval
Hula: He Wahine Holo Lio

Mami Kapiʻinaakalā Erica Ogiwara. PC: Merrie Monarch Facebook

Maile Yurika Garrett
Kawailiʻulā
Kumu: Chinky Māhoe
Hula: Aloha Kuʻu Home

Maile Yurika Garrett. PC: Merrie Monarch Facebook

Krisella Leilani Gabriele
Beamer Solomon Hālau O Poʻohala
Kumu: Hulali Solomon-Covington
Hula: He Aloha Moku O Keawe

Krisella Leilani Gabriele. PC: Merrie Monarch Facebook

Kiana Kaheanani Costa
Hālau Hula ʻO Kahikilaulani
Kumu: Nāhōkūokalani Gaspang
Hula: ʻAla Anuhea

Kiana Kaheanani Costa. PC: Merrie Monarch Facebook

Judges
Maelia Loebenstein Carter
Vicky Holt Takamine
Nālani Kanaka‘ole Zane
Noenoelani Zuttermeister Lewis
Nani Lim Yap
Etua Lopes
Keali‘i Reichel