Oʻahu wāhine wins Miss Aloha Hula at 60th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival

A 21-year-old from Kāneʻohe, Oʻahu, is the 2023 Miss Aloha Hula.

With 1,148 points, Agnes Renee Leihiwahiwaikapolionāmakua Thronas Brown, who dances with Oʻahu hālau Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe, won the title Thursday during the first night of competition for the 60th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo on the Big Island. Her Nā Kumu Hula are Tracie and Keawe Lopes.

Judges awarded the top five dancers out of a total of 12 who competed. The other winners were:

• Second place: Breeze Ann Kalehuaonālani Vidinha Pavao with Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana O Leināʻala; Kumu Hula Leināʻala Pavao Jardin. Points: 1,144.

• Third place: Meleana Kamalani Mirafuentes with Hālau Nā Mamo O Pu‘uanahulu; Nā Kumu Hula William Kahakuleilehua Haunuʻu “Sonny” Ching and Lōpaka Igarta-De Vera. Points: 1,143.

• Fourth place: Karlee Pōhaikealoha Rita Chong-Kee with Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi; Nā Kumu Hula Haunani and ‘Iliahi Paredes. Points: 1,130.

• Fifth place: Nohealeimamo Vaughan-Darval with Hālau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine; Kumu Hula Kaʻilihiwa Vaughan-Darval. Points: 1,129.

Mirafuentes also won the Hawaiian Language Award.

For the complete story about the Miss Aloha Hula competition, click here.