Hei Moana Competition

Our third Hula Judge is also our first intro to one of the Tahitian judges as she will wear two hats in our Inaugural Competition.

Hōkūʻōlino (Makanui-Holi) Bollinger, originally from Wai’anae, O’ahu, began her hula journey more than 30 years ago under the tutelage of Kumu Hula Pua Mendeola. Hōkū grew up surrounded by mele & ‘ōlelo Hawai’i as her ‘ohana were entertainers on the island.

Life led Hoku to South Florida where she danced professionally for Drums of Polynesia along with many other Hawaiian and Polynesian hui along the east coast of the US for more than 10 years. With Drums of Polynesia, she received intense Tahitian dance training from Heimana Tahiata and Maire Tuia while also studying hula under Na ‘Ohana o Kealoha.

Inspired by her kuleana as Kanaka and to perpetuate Hawaiian culture, Hula Hālau O Hōkūʻōlino was born in South Florida where Hōkū began teaching hula. In 2005, she relocated to Virginia where she re-opened hālau and continued to share her ‘ike, mana’o and mo’olelo through hula & mele. She also started to teach Tahitian dance in Virginia via a separate Tahitian school.

Today, Hōkū remains an active participant as part of the Hawaiian community in the DC Metro Area and provides Polynesian Entertainment services via her company, Hōkū’s Hawaiian Entertainment.

Our second Hawaiʻi judge is a prolific Haku Mele (songwriter) with songs on multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winning albums like Kealiʻi Reichel’s and Napua Greig’s as well as a couple of mele on Kalani Peʻa’s first Grammy winning album. He comes from the Hula Lineage of the late Kumu Hula Maiki Aiu Lake via Kumu Hula Mae Kamamalu Klein and Kumu Hula Lehua Matsumoto. He is the Kumu Hula of Hālau Hula ʻO Kealalauaʻe o Makana. His name, Kumu Hula Devin Kamealoha Forrest

Kumu Kamealoha has judged in Japan & Florida and will bring his wealth of ʻike and manaʻo to the judging table in our Inaugural Event. Kumu Kamealoha also helped with the naming of our organization/event.

Introducing one of our Hula judges from Waiʻanae Oʻahu. With over 50-years of teaching and Kumu Hula Nettie Armitage-Lapilio brings a ton of ʻike and manaʻo to the judging table. She has judged in Hawaiʻi, , and and has left a deep impression at each location.

Having her at this Inaugural Hei Moana Competition is going to be beneficial to all participants and everyone in attendance. We look forward to having her share her and EVERYTHING with us.

This is going to be our Inaugural event for a unique competition for Hula and Solo ʻOri Tahiti coming to the East Coast… VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA next August 2023.

Featuring:
-3-time Grammy Award Winner Kalani Peʻa
-Hawaiʻi Judges to bring proper ʻike & manaʻo
-Audience Participation in Scoring
-Craft Booths & more…

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