2006 Lei Queen:

SHARLA KU'UALOHAPUMEHANA KAEO

     Through the years, Ku'ualoha has participated in the Queen Lili'uokalani Keiki Hula Competition, King Kamehameha Competition, World Invitational Hula Competition and the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival. In 1995, Ku'ualoha was selected as fourth runner-up as Miss Aloha Hula at the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival. In addition to the different competitions, Ku'ualoha traveled to Japan to perform with the Hawai'i Visitor's Bureau and has also danced in the Kodak Hula Show.

     Ku'ualoha feels that she realized in her early childhood that hula was and would always be an important and integral part of her life. She aspires to one day teach hula. In fact, she has taught hula at Kailua Parks and Recreation and at the Hâlau Lôkahi Charter School.

     Ku'ualoha so loves Hawaiian Culture that she studied Hawaiian Language for four years in high school. 'Ôlelo Hawai'i has aided her with perfecting her hula. Besides hula, she has combined her love for reading with her love for the Hawaiian Language to assist in the translation of several children's Hawaiian books when she was employed at Alu Like Native Hawaiian Library. There she also played an integral role with the launching of the first copy of "Ka Ho'oilina, The Hawaiian Legacy Book".

     Ku'ualoha feels Lei Day is not only a day of pageantry but an occasion for all that is Hawai'i to be showcased. As the lei touches our many senses with the sweet aroma of nature, the vivid colors of the flowers, as well as the feel of the different textures of fern, so too should Lei Day be experienced.

     A Lei Queen should possess and live the values of aloha, ha'aha'a, kôkua, ho'omau, laulima, and hanalike. Ku'ualoha prides herself with exemplifying these values in the Hawaiian tradition.

Princess LAUREN KANOELANI CHANG

Lauren Kanoelani Chang is the daughter of Melvin Kaheana and Sandra Perreira Chang. Kanoelani feels blessed by the ethnic diversity of her family, which is of Hawaiian, Chinese, Portuguese and Filipino ancestry. Born in Portland, Oregon, Kanoelani is a graduating senior at the University of Hawai'i at Mânoa, majoring in 'Ôlelo Hawai'i, minoring in Mandarin Chinese.      Kanoelani began dancing hula at the age of 6, under the direction of Kumu Hula Leimomi Maldonado of Ka Hale I o Kahala. She has served as an alaka'i and has represented her hâlau at the King Kamehameha Chant and Hula Competition, placing 2nd and 3rd in the oli division.      Kanoelani was the Miss Aloha Hula 'Oni E in 2004. While preparing for this solo competition, Kanoelani feels she truly began to understand the importance of the lei. Her kumu carefully selected three dressing chants to be performed at the beginning of her hula. While chanting the oli, Kanoelani carefully adorned herself with her kûpe'e, lei 'â'î, and lei po'o. The lei, fashioned from the meticulously trimmed leaves of the kî or ti plant, is the lei used by her hâlau, as taught by Kumu Maldonado's sister. Her Kumu taught her that each dancer has a relationship and responsibility to her lei and to the ritual of dressing, which is unique to our Hawaiian culture.

     Kanoelani has joined forces with the Hawai'i Youth Opera Chorus, under the direction of Nola Nâhulu, and its traveling outreach program into the Hawai'i Department of Education. In this program, musical compositions written by the Hawaiian Ali'i teach Hawaiian history, music theory, and hula.

     Kanoelani feels the annual Lei Day Celebration is good exposure for things Hawaiian, as it celebrates the art of Ka Lei. Kanoelani also feels that the judges will be faced with the difficult task of comparing traditional and contemporary styles of lei, side-by-side. Kanoe states, "While some might favor tradition over innovation, I would also contest that it is this integration of contemporary ideas and methodology which allows our culture to continue to grow in the years to come."

     Kanoelani feels the kuleana or responsibility of being in the Lei Queen Court, as it too carries many years of tradition and history. As a student of all things Hawaiian, she has witnessed Hawaiian values in action by observing her kumu hula and many kumu 'ôlelo Hawai'i. Kanoelani feels blessed to have excellent footsteps in which to follow.

Princess DÉLYS HULALIMAIKALANIMAI KANEMURA RECCA

Delys Hulalimaikalanimai Kanemura Recca is the daughter of Shirley and Joseph Recca and was born and raised in Maunalua, Oahu. Hulali feels that she couldn't have been raised in a home that was more Hawaiian in spirit and aloha. She credits her tutuwahine, Lei Bright, with rounding out her foundation by telling her stories of Hawai'i and of her kûpuna.      Hulali enjoys sports and loves outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, swimming and surfing whether the sun is shining or hiding behind the rain clouds. "Talking story," laughing and singing are some of her many interest and hobbies. She also likes drawing and painting and even sews her own clothes.      In addition to attending college where she is majoring in Hawaiian Studies and Business, she finds time to be a Youth Group Leader for her church.      Hulali has danced hula since she was three years old. She began by dancing for Hâlau Hula Olana and later was asked to dance for Tihati Productions at   nine where she was able to travel throughout the United States, Japan, Aotearoa and Australia.

     Hulali entered Kamehameha Schools in 7^th grade where she was privileged to join the Concert Glee and Hawaiian Hula Ensemble.  With them she traveled to New York and Florida.  Though traveling was fun and exciting, Hulali mostly appreciates the opportunity to share her heritage and culture with whomever she meets whether it is far away or right here at home.

     Hulali has participated at Merrie Monarch and has been teaching hula at the O'ahu Club in Hawai'i Kai to women and children.

     Hulali strives to live, practice and possess aloha.  Aloha encompasses many meanings but Hulali emphasizes respect for oneself, those around them as well as their surroundings. 

Jorena Lehuanani Young is the daughter of Joseph Curtis Young and Mary Ann U'ilani Ka'onohi.  Lehuanani resides in 'Aiea with her parents, younger brother, Justin Peter Young, and her boyfriend Ikaika Travis Akiona.  Born on O'ahu at the "pink" hospital, Lehuanani is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools, and is currently pursuing a career as a nurse.             Lehuanani is also in the Hawai'i National Guard where she works as a Lifesupport Craftsman for the 199th Fighter Squadron.  She has been in the guard for 9 years, and holds the rank of Staff Sergeant.  Lehuanani is quite busy, as she is also an Aloha Airlines flight attendant.        Most of Lehuanani's childhood was spent away from Hawai'i, as her Dad was a helicopter pilot in the Army.  Lehuanani is grateful for her experiences growing up in Germany and California, enabling her to go to places that many children only see in school books.  Since her family moved back home, Lehuanani has immersed herself in everything Hawaiian.

     She began this immersion by asking her grandmother, Gramma Pudgie, if she knew of anyone that could teach her hula.  Gramma Pudgie recommended Kumu Hula Leimomi Ho of Keali'ika'apunihonua Ke'ena A'o Hula.  Lehua has been dancing with Kumu Leimomi for 14 years.

     Kamehameha Schools was another source of knowledge for Lehuanani.  She took Hawaiian Chant and Dance from Kaleo Trinidad, and many other Hawaiian culture and language classes.  She participated in the annual ho'ike, part of the Kamehameha Song Contest, for three years.

     After graduating from high school came basic training, and Kapi'olani Community College where she began studying Travel & Tourism.  During her breaks in-between classes, Lehuanani began dancing for the Kodak Hula Show, where her kumu was her supervisor, her grandmother and aunties were singers, and her hula sisters were her fellow dancers.  Lehuanani perfected her ti-leaf skirt making while working at the Kodak Hula Show.  She also danced at Paradise Cove and the Navatek.  Lehuanani currently dances at the 'Ilikai Hotel with Kawika Trask.

     Lehuanani is well versed in making lei, the different styles of lei, and has aloha for the art.  "Happy thoughts" is her kumu's motto, and hers as well.  She was taught never to work on anything if you have other things clouding your mind.  If you do, not only will your craft take you longer to finish, but you will probably have to redo it anyway. 

     Lehuanani says that:  "Lei Day is a time for sharing mana'o and aloha with one another.  It is a time of gathering for all Hawaiians or Hawaiians-at-heart, coming together for one specific reason, to show their love for the many flowers of Hawai'i, which makes these islands so unique and special to each and every one of us." 

No photographs should be reproduced, copied, stored, manipulated, republished electronically or in print for commercial purpose.  All photographic images are copyrighted by Ka'iulani Vincent of DPR.  For more information contact:  mailto:rvincent@honolulu.gov