PUKALANI – Students energized their peers today during the seventh annual Nā Hōkū competition, December 18, 2012, at Keōpūolani Hale, and the winners were no strangers to the award. They won first place at last year’s competition, too.
“We love doing this, we love performing together. That’s why we decided to do the competition,” said senior Chayce Tancayo, member of Hōʻeu.
Out of four musical performances, the judges had a difficult time choosing a winner. In the end, it was the second act, seniors Aaron Dela Cruz, Kevin Goo, Maleko Lorenzo and Tancayo of Hō’eu that won the $100 cash prize as well as an opportunity to compete in the Brown Bags to Stardom talent contest on Oʻahu.
“We’re going to split the prize four ways,” Tancayo said. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with the money, though.”
The show began with senior Pololū Nakanelua doing an original rap as Impostah. His performance was backed up by the beat and chorus of Lighters, originally sung and rapped by Bruno Mars and Eminem. He was awarded $50 and third place.
Junior Tevin Jon Tam and junior Damian Kuluhiwa (“Baby Gong”) also performed an original rap with Tam doing vocals and Kuluhiwa playing rhythm on the cowbell. They placed fourth, winning $25.
“I thought everyone did really well,” Tam said. “The competition was really good this year, and I think the first place deserved to win.”
The last performance came from Hinano, a junior-oriented group with Madison Vaught, Shalia Kamakaokalani and Neula ‘A’arona on vocals; Siaosi Ngalu, Jarom Santiago and Zachary Yamada accompanying them on instruments. They sang Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You and placed second, earning a $75 dollar prize.
Between each performance, the students were treated to Christmas-themed riddles from student body vice-president James Krueger dressed as Santa Claus. Unexpectedly, the audience began guessing “James” as the answer to every riddle. By the end of the show, Krueger clarified that, “The answer will never be ‘James,'” to riotous laughter from the playful crowd.
Just before the results were announced, all four groups combined to sing and rap Sunday Morning after an audience participation rendition of Jingle Bells.
Unlike in previous years, Nā Hōkū was held during school hours in order to increase attendance and encourage more student participation.
