WAIMEA — Any paniolo would have been proud to wear lei made by the winners of the Paniolo Hat Lei Contest which was part of the Waimea Town Celebration. The annual event wrapped up Sunday in the Westside town. The
WAIMEA — Any paniolo would have been proud to wear lei made by the winners of the Paniolo Hat Lei Contest which was part of the Waimea Town Celebration. The annual event wrapped up Sunday in the Westside town.
The criteria for the contest was that paniolo, or the Hawaiian cowboy, would be proud to wear them atop their hats.
Hali‘a Albarado finished the big winner, taking first place in the kindergarten to second grade in the Unique category and second place in the Beautiful category en route to being named the grand prize winner for that age group.
Other winners in the Beautiful category included K-2: Urijah Acoba-Vea, Hali‘a Albarado, Kalae Sahut; Grade 3-5: Maika Baniaga; Grade 6-8: Braden Sanpei, first and second places; Grade 9-12: Kapuaomaikai Kelley-Kanahele, Kustom Vea Wise, second and third places; Adults: Kauai Iki, Shelly Carvalho, Manny Rapozo and Kauai Iki.
Unique category winners included K-2: Hali‘a Albarado, Urijah Acoba Vea, Kairie Kahalekomo-Schmidt; Grade 3-5: Raine Agor; Grade 6-8: Braden Sanpei, Layla Gray, Maikoa Sahut-Baniaga; Grade 9-12: Pi‘ikea Sahut, first and second places; Adult: Evelyn Olores, Brandee Kahalekomo, Gary Fujioka and Romang Tumbaga Peake.
Grand prize winners were K-2: Hali‘a Albarado; Grade 3-5: Raine Agor; Grade 6-8: Braden Sanpei; Grade 9-12: Kapuapomaikai Kelley-Kanahele; Adult: Betty Nakamoto.
