Ke‘alohilani Serrao Named Miss Aloha Hula

A dancer from Oahu followed in the footsteps of her halau’s kumu hula by being named Miss Aloha Hula during the opening night Thursday of the 51^st Merrie Monarch Festival.

Ke‘alohilani Tara Eliga Serrao of Ka La ‘Onohi Mai O Ha‘eha‘e won exactly 20 years after Kumu Hula Tracie Lopes took home the coveted award.

Ke‘alohilani Serrao during Thursday night’s `auana competition. Photo courtesy Merrie Monarch Festival/Extreme Exposure.

Serrao also won the evening’s Hawaiian Language Award.

Thirteen dancers took part in Thursday night’s competition.

The festival continues tonight with the kahiko or ancient-style performance, followed Saturday by the `auana or modern style.

Winners of each portion and the overall competition will be announced late Saturday night.

The Miss Aloha Hula results:

1. Ke‘alohilani Tara Eliga Serrao, Ka La ‘Onohi Mai O Ha‘eha‘e of Oahu, Kumu Hula Tracie and Keawe Lopes, 1,142 points
2. Kilioulaninuiamamaoho‘opi‘iwahinekapuaokeokalaniakea Lai, Keolalaulani Halau ‘Olapa O Laka of Oahu, Kumu Hula Aloha Dalire, 1,089 points
3. Sarah Kapuahelani Sterling, Halau Mohala ‘Ilima of Oahu, Kumu Hula Mapuana de Silva, 1,082 points
4. Amber Kanoelani Rosenberg, Halau Na Mamo O Pu‘uanahulu of Oahu, Kumu Hula Sonny Ching and Lopaka Igarta-De Vera, 1,079 points
5. Nicole Nalani Ishibashi, Halau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala of Kauai, Kumu Hula Leina‘ala Pavao Jardin, 1,076 points