The Richard Hoʻopiʻi Leo Kiʻekiʻe Falsetto Contest is an annual Hawaiian falsetto singing competition held on the island of Maui, Hawai'i. The contest celebrates and perpetuates the Hawaiian vocal tradition of leo kiʻekiʻe ("high voice"), a style of falsetto singing closely associated with Hawaiian music.
Named in honor of Maui musician and falsetto singer Richard Hoʻopiʻi, the competition provides a venue for singers to perform traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music while showcasing the distinctive vocal techniques associated with Hawaiian falsetto. Hoʻopiʻi, together with his brother Solomon Hoʻopiʻi, was widely known as part of the musical duo The Hoʻopiʻi Brothers.
The contest is intended both as a competition and as a means of preserving and perpetuating Hawaiian musical traditions. Contestants are evaluated on elements of their vocal performance and presentation, with an emphasis on the use of Hawaiian falsetto.
History The Richard Hoʻopiʻi Leo Kiʻekiʻe Falsetto Contest was established on Maui to honor the musical legacy of Richard Hoʻopiʻi and to encourage the continuation of Hawaiian falsetto singing among new generations of performers.
The event developed as part of broader efforts within Hawaii to preserve leo kiʻekiʻe and recognize practitioners of the distinctive Hawaiian falsetto tradition. Over the years, the competition has features singers from Maui an elsewhere in Hawaii and has provided emerging performers with an opportunity to participate in a musical tradition passed between generations.
Richard Hoʻopiʻi
Richard Hoʻopiʻi was a Hawaiian musician from Maui best known for his distinctive falsetto voice and his performances with his brother Solomon as the Hoʻopiʻi Brothers. Their music incorporated Hawaiian-language songs, traditional vocal techniques, and the characteristic falsetto style for which Richard became particularly recognized.
Throughout his career, Hoʻopiʻi received recognition for his contributions to Hawaiian music. He was a multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner and was also honored with a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his influence and contributions to the preservation and perpetuation of Hawaiian music. In 1996, both Richard and his brother, Solomon, were inducted as National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship.
The contest continues that legacy by providing a venue for singers to perform Hawaiian music and demonstrate the falsetto techniques associated with leo kiʻekiʻe, connecting Hoʻopiʻi's musical contributions with subsequent generations of Hawaiian performers.
Leo Kiʻekiʻe Leo kiʻekiʻe is a Hawaiian term commonly translated as "high voice" and refers to the falsetto vocal tradition found in Hawaiian music. The style is characterized by singing in the upper vocal register, and techniques developed within Hawaiian musical traditions.
Falsetto singing became a prominent element of Hawaiian popular and traditional music and has been associated with numerous influential Hawaiian musicians. The tradition has historically been transmitted through families, teachers, and musical communities.
The Richard Hoʻopiʻi contest focuses specifically on maintaining this traditional through live performance and competition.
Cultural Significance The Richard Hoʻopiʻi Leo Kiʻekiʻe Falsetto Contest forms part of ongoing efforts to perpetuate Hawaiian music and cultural practices on Maui. By creating a public venue specifically for falsetto performance, the competition encourages musicians to study Hawaiian repertoire, language, vocal technique, and performance traditions.
The contest also commemorates Richard Hoʻopiʻi's contribution to Hawaiian music while connecting his musical legacy with subsequent generations of Hawaiian falsetto singers.
Contestants
2026 Year Place Contestant Song Choice Representing Ref2026Mākoa Puaʻoi"Kuʻu Lei Hūlili"Kula, Hawaii2026Yuto Maezawa"Kupa Landing"Kyoto, Japan2026Krissan Kama"Kauaʻi Beauty"Kīhei, Hawaii2026Talan Kūaliʻi Akina-Chong"ʻOhuʻohu Keʻanae"Kahului, Hawaii2026Royden Kahaʻi Sato Jr. "Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai"Wailuku, Hawaii2026Kepa Revelle-ʻAikala"Kowali"Pukalani, Hawaii 2026Kūhaʻokealiʻikauʻikamāʻamaʻama John Murray"He Aloha Nō ʻO Waiʻanae"Lahaina, Hawaii
2025 Year Place Contestant Song Choice Representing Ref2025Kānoa Severson"Waiulu"Lahaina, Hawaii2025Koakāne Mattos"Kalamaʻula"Makawao, Hawaii2025Royden Kahaʻi Sato, Jr."Kilakila ʻO Maui"Wailuku, Hawaii2025Itsuki Ezawa"Kīhei"Chiba, Japan2025Krissan Kama"Nani Wale Ka Lau Oliva"Kīhei, Hawaii
Past Contest Winners Year Contestant Song Choice Representing Ref2026Kepa Revelle-ʻAikala"He Aloha Nō ʻO Waiʻanae"Lahaina, Hawaii2025Koakāne Mattos"Kalamaʻula"Makawao, Hawaii2024Antonio Robles"Waikaloa"Wailuku, Hawaii2023Liam Moleta"Aloha Nō Kahului"Honolulu, Hawaii 2022Heuaʻohu Sai-Dudoit"Kalamaʻula"Hilo, Hawaii2021Kamaʻehu KawaʻaWaiheʻe-Waiehu, Hawaii20202019ʻIkaika Mendez"Nani Venuse"Ulupalakua, Hawaii2018Kaulike Pescaia"Hoʻokipa Pāka"Kīhei, Hawaii2017Kason Gomes"Pauoa Liko Ka Lehua"Wailuku, Hawaii2016Gregory James Kahikinamaikalani Maxwell Juan"Nāwiliwili"Wailuku, Hawaii2015Kamalei KawaʻaWaiheʻe-Waiehu, Hawaii2014Grant KonoHonolulu, Hawaii2013Micah Hoapili Kūʻaimoku De AguiarKailua-Kona, Hawaii2012Joshua Noʻeau KalimaHilo, Hawaii2011Ezra Kaui KruegerLahaina, Hawaii2010Poʻokela WoodWailuku, Hawaii2009Pōmaikaʻi KruegerLahaina, Hawaii2008Kamakani KīʻahaMolokaʻi, Hawaii2007Kapono NāʻiliʻiliHonolulu, Hawaii2006Kalani BenanuaLānaʻi City, Hawaii2005Hiroshi OkadaTokyo, Japan2004Kai Hoʻopiʻi"ʻOhuʻohu Kahakuloa"Wailuku, Hawaii2003Kamakakēhau FernandezPāʻia, Hawaii2002Ramzey HoʻopiʻiWailuku, Hawaii
External Links
Official website
References