Keʻalohi International Piano Competition announces winner

The Keʻalohi International Piano Competition had its three finalists play with the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall on Sunday, Aug. 24. Modam Oyama, of Japan, emerged the winner of the competition, taking home the $10,000 cash prize and a chance to perform a concerto with HSO in the future. Pyotr Akulov of Russia took second place and $5,000, while Ruogu Wen of China won third place and $3,000.

“Our goal with the Keʻalohi International Piano Competition is to bring the highest level of musical artistry to Hawaiʻi, creating a stage where exceptional pianists from around the world can shine,” said Lisa Nakamichi, the founder of Aloha International Piano Festival, which hosts the Keʻalohi International Piano Competition every three years, in a written statement. “With the support of the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra and the City and County of Honolulu, we are proud to position Hawaiʻi as a destination for international musical excellence.”

Nakamichi spoke with Aloha State Daily a few weeks ago, ahead of the competition.

In the audience for the final round of the piano competition were children from Holy Family Home in Osaka, Japan, who are being hosted for a two-week exchange program by the 27^th Infantry Regiment “Wolfhounds.” The children met with the finalists of the Keʻalohi International Piano Competition plus three HSO musicians to learn more about music.

Ahead of the final round of competition, the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts led a tour that highlighted Native Hawaiian culture and moʻolelo, or stories, for participants of the competition, who represented countries such as Russia, Taiwan, South Korea and more.

Read more about the competition.  

Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.