Miss Aloha Hula 2017 Results!

Miss Aloha Hula 2016 Kayli Ka‘iulani Carr minutes before her farewell performance. 

2016 Miss Aloha Hula along with her kumu, Robert Ke‘ano Ka‘upu IV and Lono Padilla.

It all began with 10 beautiful wahine, each taking her turn on the Merrie Monarch stage on the evening of Thursday, April 20, in the festival’s first competitive event.

Each of the graceful dancers performed a kahiko (ancient, traditional) and an ‘auana (modern) hula.

Several hours later, as the final contestant exited the stage, chatter immediately erupted in the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium.

Miss Aloha Hula is hula’s top solo wahine, or women’s, honor. Who will win the title tonight? Everyone has their favorite.

Then, the winners were announced.

The Hawaiian Language Award went to Kelina Kiyoko Ke‘ano‘ilehua Tiffany Eldredge of Hālau Hi‘iakaināmakalehua with a score of 45 points.

The second runner-up is Chelei Kameleonalani Kahalewai from Hālau Kawaili‘ulā with 1,024 points.

The third runner-up, Amanda Hiwalei Aliser of Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana O Leinā‘ala, scored 1,015 points.

The fourth runner-up is Miriam Anuhea Kamakanaokealoha Hikoana Arakawa with a score of 1,006 points.

Competition for the Miss Aloha Hula title made Merrie Monarch Festival history last night, with Miss Aloha Hula and the first runner-up tying exactly, each earning a score of 1,075.

This took them to a tie-breaker; but even at this point, the contestants’ tiebreaker scores were exactly the same—1,499.

For the first time in the history of the Miss Aloha Hula competition, the unprecedented double tiebreaker score had to be used.

With a double tiebreaker score of 18.4, Julyen Machiko Kaloke Kaluna of Hula Hālau ‘O Kamuela became first runner-up.

Edging Kaluna out by a difference of just .2 points with a double tiebreaker score of 18.6, Hālau Hi‘iakaināmakalehua’s Kelina Kiyoko Ke‘ano‘ilehua Tiffany Eldredge became the 2017 Merrie Monarch Miss Aloha Hula.

This is the second consecutive year Hālau Hi‘iakaināmakalehua has earned the Miss Aloha Hula title.

When asked how she felt when she heard her name, Eldridge said, “The moment was so surreal, I can’t believe it’s me.”

To see video of this year’s participants, go online.

2017 Miss Aloha Hula Competitors

1. Kapua Dalire-Moe – Leilani Nicole Wilson

2. Kau‘ionālani Kamana‘o & Kunewa Mook – Julyen Machiko Kaloke Kaluna

3. Leinā‘ala Pavao Jardin – Amanda Hiwalei Aliser

4. Nāpua Greig-Nakasone – Miriam Anuhea Kamakanaokealoha Hokoana Arakawa

5. Maelia Carter – Ashlyn Kahelelani Ma‘a

6. Chinky Māhoe – Chelei Kameleonalani Kahalewai

7. Tracie & Keawe Lopes – Ariana Ka‘ano‘ikehaikūlō‘ihia Kaliliokū Akaka

8. Kamaka Kukona – Leila Noelani Ku‘uleimomi Rodrigues

9. ‘Iliahi & Haunani Paredes – Leimakamae Maura Kea

10. Robert Ka‘upu & Lono Padilla – Kelina Kiyoko Ke‘ano‘ilehua Tiffany Eldredge

SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY & SATURDAY, APRIL 21 & 22

The Merrie Monarch Festival is a week-long cultural festival that takes place annually in Hilo that honors King David Kalākaua—the “Merrie Monarch”—who is credited with restoring many Hawaiian cultural traditions during his reign, including hula.

Friday, April 21, 6 p.m.
Group Hula Kahiko
Hālau hula perform ancient style dances.
Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium

Saturday, April 22, 10:30 a.m.
Merrie Monarch Royal Parade
One of the festival’s most entertaining and fun events for the entire family, the parade begins and ends at Pauahi Street and winds through downtown Hilo (Kilauea Avenue, Keawe Street, Waiānuenue Avenue, Kamehameha Avenue).

Saturday, April 22, 6 p.m.
Group Hula ʻAuana & Awards
Hālau hula perform modern style dances with an awards presentation for all group winners.
Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium