Faith Kealohapauʻole Paredes just claimed the Miss Aloha Hula 2026 crown at the 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival. The 21-year-old Dartmouth College junior from Wailuku, Maui dazzled judges with breathtaking kahiko and ʻauana performances Thursday night.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Winner: Faith Kealohapauʻole Paredes, age 21, Dartmouth College junior from Maui
- Score: 1,161 points, also claimed the Hawaiian Language Award
- Event: 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival, April 9, 2026, Hilo Hawaii
- Competition: 13 dancers competed in the inaugural Miss Aloha Hula competition
A Maui Dancer Takes the Stage in Victory
On Thursday night, Faith Lynn Kealohapauʻole Paredes delivered commanding performances that captured the hearts of judges. She performed at the Edith Kanaka’ole Stadium in Hilo, the iconic venue where Hawaii’s most prestigious hula competition unfolds annually. Her 1,161-point score edged out 12 other competitors vying for the coveted Miss Aloha Hula title. Her parents, Nauani and ʻIliahi Paredes, who are also her kumu hula (master teachers), walked onstage with tears streaming down their faces to celebrate the victory.
When Paredes secured the win, Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi erupted in celebration. Her family nearly buried her in a group hug, overwhelmed with emotion. The moment reflected not just a personal achievement, but a triumph for her hālau and the Hawaiian cultural preservation she represents.
Stunning Kahiko Performance Honors Princess Ruth
Paredes’ ancient kahiko performance drew from a mele inoa (song to honor a chief) from the private collection of Mary Kawena Pukui. Through the oli (chant) and precise hand movements, she transported the audience to Huliheʻe in Kailua-Kona, the royal home of Princess Ruth Keanolani Kanāhoahoa Keʻelikōlani. Her choreography depicted the princess deciding to spend her twilight years in traditional comfort, surrounded by Hawaiian heritage. The authentic kahiko movement and storytelling judges scored included her kaʻi (opening chant), posture, hand gestures, and interpretation, all executed with flawless precision.
“Through my whole kahiko, I chose to think about Princess Ruth and my aloha for her,” Paredes reflected. She emphasized how the princess was “always grounded in Hawaiian tradition,” a theme woven throughout her artistic expression.
ʻAuana Performance Brings Modern Artistry and Home
Her modern ʻauana performance, titled “Kawaiokalena,” was composed by Kealiʻi Reichel, the renowned kumu hula and Hawaiian musical artist. The piece celebrates “home, life and love everlasting.” This mele transported judges and spectators to Piʻiholo, Maui, painting an intimate portrait that resonates across generations. Paredes’ fluid Hawaiian choreography and emotional expression revealed her deep understanding of both ancient and contemporary hula traditions. Judges assessed her posture, movement quality, costume authenticity, and overall stage presence, awarding her exceptional marks in every category.
| Category | Information |
| Winner | Faith Kealohapauʻole Paredes (Maui) |
| Runner-up | Keoe Momilani Michiko Hoe (Oahu), 1,156 points |
| Awards | Miss Aloha Hula, Hawaiian Language Award |
| Date | April 9, 2026 (Thursday night, 6:00 PM HST) |
“It almost doesn’t feel real to win, but I feel so blessed to hold the title of Miss Aloha Hula and to share the hula from my hālau with Hawaiʻi, with the whole world. It is an honor.”
— Faith Kealohapauʻole Paredes, 2026 Miss Aloha Hula
Judges’ Rigorous Scoring Standards Reward Excellence
Merrie Monarch judges evaluated each dancer across nine critical categories. These included kaʻi (opening chant procession), interpretation and expression, posture and precision, hand gestures, foot and body movement, hoʻi (closing chant exit), costume authenticity, grooming, and overall performance. Paredes excelled across all dimensions, demonstrating mastery of both kahiko and ʻauana styles. Her second-place finisher, Keoe Momilani Michiko Hoe, scored 1,156 points, just five points behind. The third-place competitor, Lahela Hoʻokela Medina Maio, earned 1,134 points, solidifying the competitive excellence displayed throughout the evening.
The Hawaiian Language Award that Paredes captured carries profound cultural significance. She emphasized, “Winning the Hawaiian Language Award is just as meaningful. Every time we speak ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, we ensure our culture lives on.” This recognition honors her commitment to preserving ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) through her performances.
What Does the Miss Aloha Hula Title Mean for Hawaii’s Cultural Future?
Paredes graduated from Kamehameha Schools and currently studies at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, representing a new generation balancing higher education with deep cultural responsibilities. In 2015, she won Miss Keiki Hula, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to hula excellence. Her achievement sends a powerful message about hula’s evolving role in modern Hawaiian identity. The Merrie Monarch Festival remains the world’s most prestigious hula competition, attracting performers from across the globe who view the stage as a sacred responsibility to their ancestors and communities.
As Paredes steps into her reign as Miss Aloha Hula 2026, she joins a lineage of cultural ambassadors tasked with sharing Hawaiian traditions authentically. Her dual focus on kahiko (ancient practices) and ʻauana (modern creativity) reflects the festival’s mission. Will this generation of Miss Aloha Hula champions revolutionize how the world understands Hawaiian culture beyond tourism and stereotypes, or will they continue the meaningful cultural diplomacy their predecessors established for decades?
