The Class of 2027 won top honors at the 106th annual Kamehameha Schools Song Contest, which took place at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center on May 2. The event gathered Kapālama haumāna and was attended by a full arena, with thousands more watching through a broadcast.
This year’s contest focused on the theme “Pauahi Nona Ka Lei: Songs Honoring Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop,” highlighting the life and legacy of the founder of Kamehameha Schools. The program was dedicated entirely to Ke Aliʻi Pauahi, with each class performing original mele in tribute.
Months of preparation led up to the performances, involving student composers, directors, and hundreds of classmates. After an unexpected weather postponement, students came together for what organizers described as “a moving evening of mele reflecting the Hawaiian Kingdom that shaped Pauahi and the life she dedicated to serving her people.”
Several awards were presented during the evening: Callie Onishi (Sophomore Co-ed) and Mikaela Freitas (Junior Women) received the Louise Aoe McGregor Award for Outstanding Student Director; Kaiolohia Suliven (Junior Co-ed) earned both the Richard Lyman, Jr. Trophy for outstanding use of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and the Charles Edward King Cup for Combined Class Award; Mataio Kanoho (Junior Men) won the George Alanson Andrus Cup for Boys’ Competition; Mikaela Freitas also received both New England Mothers’ Cup for Girls’ Competition and Helen Desha Beamer Award for Best Musical Performance.
Organizers said that “for many haumāna, the night marks a defining moment of their time at Kamehameha Schools.” They added that standing together in song is a way to honor Pauahi’s legacy and carry forward her kuleana into future generations.
For those who missed it live, Hawaii News Now will rebroadcast this year’s Song Contest on Wednesday, May 20 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 23 at 6:30 p.m. on KHNL.