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.