2007 Maori Whakataetae Festival

Though not a Tahitian festival, the Maori Whakataetae Festival is of notable interest. Many of the dancers preparing for the competition are also members of Tahitian dance groups around the North Shore of Oahu. The annual festival is hosted by the Polynesian Cultural Center and will occur October 13. This will mark the 8th year that the event has taken place.

For more information, watch for updates on the event website.

2007 PIFA San Diego photo gallery

The 13th Annual Pacific Islander Festival featured a crowning of a new Miss PIFA 2007, new scholarships and traditional dance performances by many groups from throughout the area. San Diego's Ski Beach in Mission Bay was the venue for activities. Participating groups included Heali'is Polynesian Revue, Kaleo Onalani, Na Pua Ilima O Kehaulani, Samoan Community Council Dancers, Motu Nehenehe, LeiIsa, Kutturan Chamoru Performers, Imahen Taotao Tano and the Tongan Methodist Church.

The nonprofit event is organized annually by the Pacific Islander Festival Association. It is a volunteer based organization made up of members of the San Diego community. They work to help perpetuate the cultures of Polynesia and South Pacific areas including Melanesia and Micronesia.

The new reigning Miss PIFA 2007 is Kristen Paruginog. Kristen is currently attending San Diego State University. She is a young woman who is very personable, goal-oriented and knows what she wants to do in life. With the title also comes a scholarship totalling $3000. The title of Miss PIFA Princess 2007 went to Ricarda LaQuesha Maria “Kekoa” Hawkins, a vibrant member of the local Chamorro community. Kekoa has a passion for design, her family and culture and shows such grace with her presence. Her scholarships award totaled $1850.

The PIFA Miss Pacific Islander of San Diego Scholarship Pageant provides a forum that allows young women to find and embrace who they are, participate in the community and become role models for other young women.

Photos of the event are forthcoming on the PIFA official site gallery. Check back for updates.

International Heiva photos

Here's a new gallery of photos from the International Heiva held this past July. The event was organized by Tahiti Nui International who also puts on the annual Heiva I Honolulu. Event organizers Raymond Mariteragi and Rose Perreira created this new event to take place in Tahiti to showcase and expose groups and dancers from the USA and other areas, to the cultural origins of Ori Tahiti. This event took place in the same venues as the original Heiva I Tahiti.

Plans are already being considered for an event for next year.

New Flickr Gallery

Tarena Tahiti 2008 results

By guest writer Elizabeth Nemenzo Bertumen

Just as an overview, the Tarena Tahiti competition is in 2 parts, Part One (Parade of Costumes) and Part Two (Ori Tahiti). For the Costume portion, contestants may choose any costume from formal to informal keeping it in line with the Tahitian theme. The second part is the dance portion and the dancers are evaluated for their total package, costume, creativity, stage presence and skill.

The Best Costume is chosen from the Parade of Costumes and the Ori Tahiti is based on Both the Parade of Costumes and their dance solo.

There is no eliminination process in this competition, rather everyone has their time on stage to present their program. There are (3) calendar editions (1) Tamarii ages 5-12 yrs, (2) Junior ages 13-17 yrs and (3) Adult ages 18 yrs and up).

There are 12 winners for each calendar with the highest score as 1st Place and cover for their age division.

The next award is for Best Costume for Tane & Vahine.

The Overall Tane & Vahine winner is chosen based on the highest combined score amongst all the contestants.

There are many opportunities for dancers to win and be recognized. Tarena Tahiti has been an annual event since 2002. Each year the contestants get more skillful and creative and this year was no exception. Our website will be updated with the winners and beautiful display of costumes. The calendars serve as a memorable piece for all to enjoy throughout the year and the years to come.

Overall Winner
TANE
Sonny Shwe – Nemenzo of Daly City, CA

VAHINE
Kaleialahoaonialani Tanaka – Teoraroa 'Ote'a of Hayward, CA

Best Costume
TANE
Trevor Barata – Nonosina of Anaheim, CA

VAHINE
Kristine Brown – Nonosina of Anaheim, CA

Tamarii Division
VAHINE
1. Devanna Ma'ae – Nonosina of Anaheim, CA (Cover)
2. Katelyn Salvador – Teoraroa 'Ote'a of Hayward, CA
3. Alyssa Petersen – Nemenzo of Daly City, CA
4. Ciara Thompson – Nemenzo of Daly City, CA
5. Lia Thompson – Nemenzo of Daly City, CA
6. Myka Palentinos – Nemenzo of Daly City, CA
7. Sydney Huddleston – Nemenzo of Daly City, CA
8. Jalailah Lelani Ray – Nonosina of Anaheim, CA
9. Jaelen Torres – Nemenzo of Daly City, CA
10. Kei'lani Timo – Nonosina of Anaheim, CA
11. Melia Timo – Nonosina of Anaheim, CA
12. Tia Samn – Independent

TANE
1. Anthony Petersen – Nemenzo of Daly City, CA
2. Joshua Garcia – Te Poe O Patitifa of Stockton, CA
3. Joshua Torres – Nemenzo of Daly City, CA
4. Gabriel Garner – Tiare O Te Ao of Hercules, CA

Junior Division
VAHINE
1. Kaleialalohaonalani Tanaka – Teoraroa 'Ote'a of Hayward, CA (Cover)
2. Angelique Bannag – Nemenzo of Daly City, CA
3. Kalene Tanaka – Teoraroa 'Ote'a of Hayward, CA
4. Keiti Schofield – Teoraroa 'Ote'a of Hayward, CA
5. Serena Tumakay-Dailey – Nemenzo of Daly City, CA
6. Jacqueleen Martinez – Nonosina of Anaheim, CA
7. Justine Morvice – Nonosina of Anaheim, CA
8. Perri Sumbang – Te Orama of Daly City, CA
9. Maya Gutierrez – Nonosina of Anaheim, CA
10. Jade Gutierrez – Nonosina of Anaheim, CA
11. Melanee Tano – Makamae Melia O'Polynesia of Elk Grove, CA
12. Diamond Pedersen – Hui Tama Nui of San Francisco, CA

TANE
1. Trevor Barata – Nonosina of Anaheim, CA
2. Shaun Camarao – Nemenzo of Daly City, CA
3. Zak Rayos del Sol – Makamae Melia O'Polynesia of Elk Grove, CA

Adult Division
VAHINE
1. Michelle Baker – Nemenzo of Daly City, CA (Cover)
2. Kristine Brown – Nonosina of Anaheim, CA
3. Kirsten Roxas – Te Poe O Patitifa of Stockton, CA
4. Amy Jeanne Kim – Nonosina of Anaheim, CA
5. Dora Kim – Nonosina of Anaheim, CA
6. Desiree Woodward-Lee – Nemenzo of Daly City, CA
7. Natalie Flores – Teoraroa 'Ote'a of Hayward, CA
8. Brittany Bielma – Nonosina of Anaheim, CA
9. Julianne Manansala – Nemenzo of Daly City, CA
10. Crystal Zapata – Nemenzo of Daly City, CA
11. Leolano Gallardo – Nonosina of Anaheim, CA
12. Ruby Riego – Makamae Melia O'Polynesia of Elk Grove, CA

TANE
1. Sonny Shwe – Nemenzo of Daly City, CA

Participating Groups
Hui Tama Nui
Makamae Melia O'Polynesia
Nemenzo
Nonosina
Te Orama
Te Poe O Patitifa
Teoraroa 'Ote'a
Tiare O Te Ao

Judging Panel
Roiti Sylva
Remy Tekurio
Catherine Blankenship
Cindy Cowell

For more information and photos of the event, check the official Tarena Tahiti website.

Tamari'i Tahiti Fete 2008 - Orlando, Florida

Event organizers Isitolo Oloa and Evelyn Oloa have advised us of some details about the 3rd Annual Tamarii Tahiti Fete. The competition is to be held at Oak Ridge High School Gymnasium on March 29, 2008. This year, competition will be open to all ages. 2007 overall soloist Laarni Fronda (left) will be defending her title among a wider range of ages and competitors.

Visit the official Tamarii Tahiti Fete of Orlando website for details and information about participating and becoming vendors and sponsors.