Hale Pai
Pacific American-News Journal
Iune-June 1996 Volume 2 Issue 6
Lokahi Ohana Hawai`i 2nd Annual Hawaiian Song
Festival
Tacoma, Washington
Lokahi Ohana Hawai`i held its 2nd Annual Hawaiian
Song Festival at The University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse in
Tacoma, Washington.
May 4, after a year of preparation and practice
the big night arrived. Mr. Ahoi "Sabu" Simeona Founder
and President/Director of LOOH had this to say,"Our theme
for the evenings program, "Songs Of The Monarchy",
stimulated our audience appreciation for the musical compositions
written by or for our Kings and Queens of Hawai`i. The
competition was keen."
The groups entered for this years competition
were Hui 0 Hawai`i University of Puget Sound, Song Leader Monte
M. McComber II, Kamehameha Alumni Association of Washington Song
Leader Audrey Keli'iholokai, Na Leo Ha'aheo 0 Hawai`i of Lacey,
Washington Song Leader Issiah Ka'auwai and Na Ohana A Me Na
Hoaloha of Seattle/Tacoma, Washington Song Leader Moodette
Kaapana.
Five judges were selected to adjudicate this
event, three from Hawai`i and two from Washington state. The
Hawai`i judges included Kinau Boyd Kamali'i, Trustee-At-Large,
Office Of Hawaiian Affairs, Debbie Nakanelua Hawaiian Airlines
Manager for Community and Governmental Affairs and Miss Hawai`i
1984, and Walter Heen Associate Judge Intermediate Court Of
Appeals State Of Hawai`i. Longtime Hawai`i entertainer/arranger
for The Don Ho Show now resident of Auburn, Washington, Joe Mundo
and Dr. Thomas Goleeke Professor, School Of Music, The University
Of Puget Sound.
This years Master and Mistress of Ceremonies KCCN
disc jockey Brickwood Galuteria and LOOH member Kealoha
Nascimento kept the evening lively. Joe Mundo made the audience
laugh with his crazy antics comparing his bald head with that of
Dr. George Mills. Galuteria, Nacimento, and Mundo made the
audience feel at home.
Brickwood announced the withdrawal of Hui 0
Hawai`i (University of Puget Sound students) as half the entrants
came down with the flu. The remaining competitors set the joy of
Hawaiian music in motion by filling the Fieldhouse with their
songs of Hawai`i's past and present.
The competitors dressed in Hawaiian attire faced
the audience on bleachers in stair stepped rows four and five
deep standing ever so proudly. The make up of the groups crossed
all ages the youngest a sophomore in high school and a sprinkling
of kupunas adding a touch of class amongst the hundred plus
entrants.
The song competition had KSSA singing,
"Sanoe", Na Leo Haaheo 0 Hawai`i with "Ku'u Pua I
Paoakalani," and Na 'Ohana A Me Na Hoaloha entry of,
"No'e No'e Maika'i Kealoha."
The judges used the 20 minute intermission to
tally the scores. Halau Hula 0 Healani Mai 'Aina Na Kumula'au
Ki'e ki'e and Debbie Nakanelua entertained an enthusiastic
audience. The vendors selling Hawaiian items did a brisk
business.
Brickwood and Kealoha announced the star of the
awards ceremony. The presenters in place and the judges having
completed their task the audience waited in hush tones.
The MC’s sharing in the announcement started
with the third place, "Hanohano Award," presented by
Paco Wong to the Kamehameha Alumni Association. Second place
"Ha'aheo Award," went to last years winners Na Leo
Ha'aheo 0 Hawai`i presented by Fred Whang. Kinau Kamali'i awarded
the first place "Onipaa Award," to Na 'Ohana A Me Na
Hoaloha.
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Copyright © 1996 Hale Pai Pacific American-News Journal
Last modified: February 28, 1998
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