On February 27 2026 Nānākuli High and Intermediate School held its 34th Annual Songfest competition. This year’s theme being “Nā Mo’olelo a me nā Ka’ao o ka Wā Kahiko: Myths and Legends.” All songs were about Hawaiian Mythology and/or the legend in Hawaiian tales.
For the first time in roughly eight years, all six grade levels participated in this year’s annual Songfest Competition. The annual Songfest started in March of 1991 originally as a festival, however, around 1996 it was changed to a competition in order to gain more participation.
At 7 pm sharp, one by one, each grade level enters the gym flowing into their respective sections. Classes enter from youngest to oldest: Middle School, Class of 2030 and 2031, Freshmen, Class of 2029, Sophomores Class of 2028, and the Senior-Junior Class of 2026 and 2027.
Traditionally, the Senior Class Song Leader leads all grade levels to sing He Aloha No Nānākuli, the National Anthem, and Hawaiʻi Ponoʻi to start the Songfest program off.
The order of the performances are determined by a random pull of numbers. Student Activities Coordinator, Robin Kitsu hosts the pull as all the Song Leaders reach into the bowl and grab one slip of paper. From there, the order is recorded and announced to the audience and the classes.
Each class has a designated Song Leader that conducts the grade level through their song. The Song Leaders are judged on conducting technique, presentation, leadership ability, appearance, enthusiasm, and overall performance.
Before every class sings, a class speaker gives a speech explaining the meaning and history of their song. Students are judged on poise, articulation, projection, and delivery.
The Senior-Junior class performed first singing Lai’eikawai by Hoku Zuttermeister.
Following the Senior-Junior Class was the Sophomore Class of 2028, performing He Mele No Hina by Kamakakēhau Fernandez. Class Speaker Cassadi Cabral was the 2024 Songfest Speaker Award winner. Last year, the Class of 2028 did not participate in the annual Songfest due to low participation.
The Middle School Class of 2030 and 2031 performed Waikā by The Brothers Cazimero and Hole Waimea. Seventh Grader Khailey Trace Buentipo proudly led the classes as their class speaker.
Last to perform was the Freshmen Class of 2029 performing E Māui e by Holunape. Freshman Emma Lei Faeldonea spoke for their class.
After all classes perform, scores are totaled up during the hoʻike performances. This year’s performances featured Pierce Kawai and Hālau Hula ʻO Hokulani, Moananuiakea Club, and the Polynesian Dance Class.
This year, there were nine awards that each class competed for. The NHIS Overall Song Award was sponsored by PVT Land. The Agnes Cope Song Leader Award and ‘Ōlelo Hawaiʻi Award was sponsored by Nānākuli Super. The Maxine Hee Songfest Class Participation Award was sponsored by the NHIS Student Government. The following awards are community sponsored awards: Nā Leo Nahenahe Perpetual Award Arrangement, HYAASA Class Speaker Ha‘i ‘Ōlelo Award, Papa Ho‘olōkahi Award Overall Appearance, Papa Ho‘okeha Award Class Spirit, and Kulia I Ka Nuʻu Award.
The Middle School Class of 2030 and 2031 won the Maxine Hee Songfest Class Participation Award and tied for the HYAASA Class Speaker Ha‘i ‘Ōlelo Award. The Freshmen Class of 2029 won the Papa Ho‘okeha Award Class Spirit and tied for the Papa Ho‘olōkahi Award Overall Appearance. The Sophomore Class of 2028 won the ‘Ōlelo Hawaiʻi Award. The Senior-Junior Class of 2026 and 2027 won The Agnes Cope Song Leader Award, Nā Leo Nahenahe Perpetual Award Arrangement, tied for the HYAASA Class Speaker Ha‘i ‘Ōlelo Award, tied for the Papa Ho‘olōkahi Award Overall Appearance, and the Kulia I Ka Nuʻu Award.
The NHIS Overall Song Award is the main award classes look forward to winning. For this award students are judged not only on their singing, but their overall appearance and their interpretation of the song. Fourth place went to the Middle School Class of 2030 and 2031, third place went to the Freshmen Class of 2029, second place went to the Sophomore Class of 2028, and first place went to the Senior-Junior class of 2026 and 2027.
To close out the night, the Senior Song Leader brings all the classes together to create the Senior Rainbow. All classes perform Oli Mahalo, Hawaiʻi Aloha, and NHIS’s Alma Mater. Together the students celebrate their awards and all the hard work they put in over the past four months.
