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The sounds of wahine falsetto filled the evening as our community gathered for the 5th Annual Carmen Hulu Lindsey Leo Haʻihaʻi Falsetto Contest on October 23, 2026, at the Four Seasons Resort Maui in Paeahu, Honuaʻula. Part of Festivals of Aloha, the evening brought together nine contestants to celebrate Hawaiian mele and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi.

Hoʻomaikaʻi to this year’s champion, Pōʻai Lincoln, who performed “Kimo Hula.” Eva Kapaleʻiliahiokauʻilani Adolpho Kaʻōnohi earned second place with “Eclipse,” and Avyanna McPeek-Batlin placed third with “Alika.” Pōʻai and Avyanna also shared the Hawaiian Language Award, each earning a perfect score in that category.

Named in honor of Carmen Hulu Lindsey, the contest recognizes her contributions to Hawaiian music and provides a place for wāhine to share and carry forward the tradition of leo haʻihaʻi. The evening gave our community an opportunity to celebrate these singers and the dedication they bring to our language and mele.

Spend your Sunday evening by the ocean with the music of Hawaiʻi

Sounds of the Sea brings contemporary Hawaiian mele to Wailea, featuring Kūikawa and the third CD release in the Mele and Moʻolelo Series.

The evening starts with the pre-show from 6:00 – 6:45 pm, followed by Kūikawa’s performance from 7:00 – 8:00 pm. After the show, guests can meet the group during the 8:15 – 9:00 pm meet and greet.

Seating opens at 5:00 pm, with shuttle service running from 4:00 – 10:00 pm.

From Festivals of Aloha:

The 5th Annual Carmen Hulu Lindsey Leo Haʻihaʻi Falsetto Contest returns to Four Seasons Resort Maui on October 23. The evening honors the legacy of Carmen Hulu Lindsey and the place of leo haʻihaʻi within Hawaiian music, while highlighting wahine in a style of Hawaiian falsetto singing traditionally associated with male singers.

Contestants from across Hawaiʻi will take the stage, with performances judged on vocal quality and technique, Hawaiian language and pronunciation, mele background, musicianship, and overall presentation. The competition creates space for a new generation of female voices to carry this musical tradition forward.

Admission is free. Doors open at 5:30 pm, with the contest beginning at 6 pm!

From Festivals of Aloha:

Rodeo weekend is almost here!

The Oskie Rice Memorial Rodeo is happening October 23 to 25 at Kaonoulu Ranch, with three days of bull riding, barrel racing, roping, mutton busting, and more as the ranch celebrates 110 years.

A few things to remember before you go: download or screenshot your QR code ahead of time since there’s no Wi-Fi or cell service at the event. It’s also cashless, parking is free, and there is no re-entry.

The HŌʻIHI Grant Program of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Native Hawaiian Relations (ONHR) recently awarded $100,000 for Paeahu programming in South Maui. ONHR serves as the Department’s liaison with the Native Hawaiian Community.

HŌʻIHI means respect. Funded under the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience (NATIVE) Act, the program invests in Native Hawaiian organizations that share culture with visitors on their own terms. It supports traditional practices, cultural entrepreneurs, the care of wahi kūpuna, and visitors giving back to the places they enjoy. Its guiding ethic is “E hōʻihi aku, e hōʻihi mai” — show respect, and respect will return.

The award was written by and is administered by ʻĀina Momona, a Native Hawaiian nonprofit rooted in Maui Nui. ʻĀina Momona is helping Paeahu grow into an independent, lineal descendant- and cultural-practitioner-led organization in Honuaʻula. Through this support, Maui hālau, kumu hula, musicians, and artisans…

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