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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 11:35 p.m., Thursday, April 3, 2008

Suganuma wins Miss Aloha Hula

Advertiser Staff

Kalimakuhilani Akemi Kalamanamana Suganuma was named Miss Aloha Hula Thursday night at the 45th annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo.

She is a member of Keolalaulani Halau 'Olapa O Laka of Kane'ohe and is a great-granddaughter of Hawaiian scholar and linguist Mary Kawena Pukui.

Suganuma performed a hula kahiko preserved by Pukui, Mele Inoa 'O Kupake'e, an homage to the chief of Ka'u, and a hula 'auana about the beauty and essence of Kilauea.

Suganuma also won the Hawaiian language award.

She won in a tiebreaker with Kapalai'ula de Silva of Halau Mohala 'Ilima.