Nonahere repeats as top group at Heiva i Tahiti

The traditional Tahitian dance group Nonahere won first prize in the Claire Leverd Creation competition and the group Tamarii Tipaerui won first prize in the Madeleine Moua Heritage competition in the 126th Heiva i Tahiti.

Founded in 2003 by Matani Kainuku, Nonahere (blog in English) is based in Mahina. This is the second straight year that they have claimed the top honors.

Great photos of the event at Life is Love.

More information at Tahiti Presse

Watch a clip of Nonahere soloist Ravanui Longomazino's performance here.

Tahitian tamarii dance competition in Laie

The Polynesian Cultural Center had it's annual tamari'i Tahitian dance competition - Te Mahana Hiro'a o Tahiti over the July 4th weekend. Chelsea Clement of Te'e'a o te Turama repeated as overall winner for the girls and L.J. Mariteragi of Nonosina Hawaii won the boys overall title.

There were approximately 100 participants at the competition. No groups performed this year.

Results of the 2008 competition:

Overall winner — Taure’are’a (12-18)
Girls: Chelsea Clement (14-15) of Te'e'a o te Turama
Boys: L.J. Mariteragi (14-15) of Nonosina Hawaii

Overall winner — Tamari’i (3-11)
Girls: Shandy Hopeau (9-11) of Tiare Ura O Tahiti
Boys: Jordan Mariteragi (9-11) of Nonosina Hawaii

Taure’are’a Division
Girls (16-18)
1. Kei Akoi of Nonosina Hawaii
2. Dayna Higa of Manutahi
3. Monique Orton of Nonosina Hawaii

Boys (16-18)
1. L.J. Mariteragi of Nonosina Hawaii
2. Cameron Howser of Pupu Ote Iti Ra

Girls (14-15)
1. Chelsea Clement of Te'e'a o te Turama
2. Angela-Jeanell Cezar of Tiare Ura O Tahiti
3. Shayna Lei Soma of Tiare Ura O Tahiti

Boys (14-15)
1. Joshua Sorensen of Nonosina Hawaii

Girls (12-13)
1. Jazmine Emerson of Nonosina Hawaii
2. Ashlen Kinilau of Pupu Ote Iti Ra
3. Shanelle Ramelb of Pupu Ote Iti Ra

Boys (12-13)
1. Kameron Ho Ching of Nonosina Hawaii

Tamari’i Division
Girls (9-11)
1. Shandy Hopeau of Tiare Ura O Tahiti
2. Macy S. Panajon of Pupu o te Iti Ra
3. Sabrina Parrish of Marania Haoragi

Boys (9-11)
1. Jordan Mariteragi of Nonosina Hawaii
2. Teancum Kaitoku of Nonosina Hawaii
3. Kaleb Ho Ching of Nonosina Hawaii

Girls (7-8)
1. Chaylyn Navares of Manutahi
2. Amaya Joy Panajon of Pupu Ote Iti Ra
3. Poliahu Aina of Te’e’a o te Turama

Boys (7-8)
1. Micah Mariteragi of Nonosina Hawaii
2. Troy Spacek
3. Tiloi Lolotai of Nonosina Hawaii

Girls (5-6)
1. Kanoe Navares of Manutahi
2. Kaylee Tabangay of Tiare Ura O Tahiti
3. Destiny Ramilo of Matarii Tahiti

Boys (5-6)
1. Teahu Mariteragi of Nonosina Hawaii
2. Teagan Kaitoku of Nonosina Hawaii
3. Kwinton Ho Ching of Nonosina Hawaii

Girls (3-4)
1. Keawaiki Jones of Marania Haoragi
2. Isabella Tran of Marania Haoragi
3. Nauya-Lei Furtado of Marania Haoragi

Boys (3-4)
1. Taliuli Vimahi of Nonosina Hawaii
2. Qamdon Josue of Te’e’a o te Turama

Heiva i Reno 2008

On Friday, August 1st, Heiva i Reno will celebrate it's 10th year of Tahitian dance. Soloist and groups will compete to the theme of "Mehara" or memory. Organizers are looking to theme the event to a time when Tahitian dance was more "simple, innocent and beautiful."

Activities will be held at the Silver Legacy Hotel & Casino in Reno, Nevada. Doors open at 9:00am and tickets are $15 general seating and $20 for reserved seating.

Groups shine at Tahiti Fete of San Jose 2008

As one of the largest Tahitian dance competitions, the Tahiti Fete of San Jose has garnered great interest from dancers and dancers at heart. Producer Pua Tokumoto saw a sold out San Jose State University event center last weekend and full capacity at the nearby 4 hotels. Competition was intense and brought out the best in the participating groups. The event took place July 4-7, 2008.

For the first time in the competitions' history, the top award ended in a tie. Hui Tama Nui of San Francisco and Vallejo, CA and Nonosina of Anaheim, CA both claimed the top spot.

Without further ado, here are the group results to this years' event:

TAMARI'I DIVISION
Tamari'i 'Ote'a
1. Hui Tama Nui of San Francisco & Vallejo, CA
2. Nonosina of Anaheim, CA
3. Le Polynesia of Lake Forest, CA

Tamari'i Aparima
1. Hui Tama Nui of San Francisco & Vallejo, CA
2. Nonosina of Anaheim, CA
3. Te Pura o Te Rahura'a of Pacifica, CA

Tamari'i Drumming
1. Hui Tama Nui of San Francisco & Vallejo, CA

HURA AVA TAU (Amateur)
'Otea:
1. Tekurio Nui of Costa Mesa, CA
2. Te Pura O Te Rahura'a of Pacifica, CA
3. Na Hoku Mai Kanoelani of Stockton, CA

Aparima
1. Te Pura O Te Rahura'a of Pacifica, CA
2. Tekurio Nui of Costa Mesa, CA
3. Kaleo'Onalani of San Diego, CA

Ahuroa
1. Te Pura O Te Rahura'a of Pacifica, CA
2. Makamae Melia o Polynesia of Elk Grove, CA
3. Tekurio Nui of Costa Mesa, CA

Drumming
1. Tekurio Nui of Costa Mesa, CA
2. E Honu Iti E of Tracy, CA
3. Te Pura O Te Rahura'a of Pacifica, CA

Music
1. Te Pura O Te Rahura'a of Pacifica, CA
2. E Honu Iti E of Tracy, CA
3. Tekurio Nui of Costa Mesa, CA

OVERALL HURA AVA TAU GROUP
Te Pura O Te Rahura'a of Pacifica, CA


HURA TAU (Professional)
'Otea:
1. Nonosina of Anaheim, CA
2. Hui Tama Nui of San Francisco & Vallejo, CA
3. Kawailehua of Fremont, CA

Aparima
1. Nonosina of Anaheim, CA
2. Da Island Way of Concord, CA
3. Hui Tama Nui of San Francisco & Vallejo, CA

Ahuroa
1. Nonosina of Anaheim, CA
2. No Te Here o Te Hiroa of Fresno, CA
3. Manuia of Daly City, CA

Drumming
1. Here Tama Nui of Honolulu, HI
2. Nemenzo of Daly City, CA
3. Hui Tama Nui of San Francisco & Vallejo, CA

Music
1. Nonosina of Anaheim, CA
2. Hui Tama Nui of San Francisco & Vallejo, CA
3. Da Island Way of Concord, CA

'Ote'a Ori Rau - Contemporary 'Ote'a
1. Nonosina of Anaheim, CA
2. Kaleo'Onalani of San Diego, CA
3. Motu'Aina of Danville, CA

Tupuna Ahuroa - Mama Ru'au
1. Hui Tama Nui of San Francisco & Vallejo, CA
2. Tamali'i of Hayward, CA
3. Manuia of Daly City, CA

Traditional Costume: Hui Tama Nui of San Francisco & Vallejo, CA
Contemporary Costume: Kaleo'Onalani of San Diego, CA
Ra'atira: Nonosina of Anaheim, CA

OVERALL HURA TAU GROUP: Tie (first time ever!)
Hui Tama Nui of San Francisco & Vallejo, CA & Nonosina of Anaheim, CA

Solo results will be posted once we receive the final list from the event organizers. In the meantime, we'd love to hear the personal stories and insights. Feel free to comment. We've also seen that there are quite a few videos popping up highlighting groups and soloists. Visit YouTube.

For more information, visit the event website.

Hura Tahiti 2008 revving up

In Garden Grove and Fullerton, California, organizers of Hura Tahiti 2008 are readying for the workshops and competition. The 4th annual Hura Tahiti competition will held July 24th, 25th and 26th at the Hope International University in Fullerton. General admission to the event is $15 per day.

This year, 4 premier Tahitian dance instructors are conducting workshops. Coco Hotahota, Roiti Sylva, Erena Mapuhi and Malia Tafua will be sharing their expertise and experience. Tahitian Otea workshop will be conducted by Coco Hotahota. Aparima and Kapa workshop will be conducted by Roiti Sylva. Both workshops will be held at sponsoring Marriott Fullerton on July 24th starting at 7pm.

Erena Mapuhi and Malia Tafua will be conducting the Basic Tahitian Dance Steps workshop a day before on July 23rd at the Hitia O Te Ra Studio in Garden Grove. Workshops will begin at 7pm.

Hosting group, Hitia O Te Ra will be conducting a Tahitian drumming workshop on July 24th, 7pm at their studio. Group leader Alex Tekurio will be instructing.

For more information, tickets and downloadable forms, visit their websites at www.huratahiti.com and www.hitiaotera.com

Heiva i Tahiti features Marquesan Arts

From the opening kava ceremony, Marquesan pahu drums welcomed audiences to this years Heiva i Tahiti. Opening ceremonies definitely had a Marquesan presence beginning with Cultural Minister Joseph Kaiha, who is from the northernmost Marquesas Islands. The Place To'ata in downtown Papeete is the location of the 126th Heiva i Tahiti taking place from July 8-18, 2008.

Solo competition began on Tuesday and group competition began Wednesday. As well as dancing, singing groups also competed on Wednesday. Activities will continue throughout the week and close on the 18th with exhibitions from event winners.

Other events including crafting competitions, javelin throwing, stone lifting, coconut tree climbing and canoe racing.

Visit Tahiti Presse for more information.

A whole lotta shakin' at Heiva i Kauai

Book your tickets now. In less than a month Kapa'a will host Kauai's own Heiva i Kauai Ia Orana. Taking place August 2-3, 2008 the event is now in its 7th year. Dancers are competing in solo and group categories. Drummers are also competing in traditional and contemporary categories. Last years best group, Tamarii A Hiva, from Oahu, will be hard pressed to repeat their overwhelming performance from last year.

This year will also feature a large contingency from Tahiti. Master drummer, Heimanu Tehahe and his group Tamarii No Faaa will be performing both days as a feature exhibition during the competition. In addition, the cultural artisans will be conducting Tahitian dance and drumming workshops and have a group of crafters from Tahiti accompanying them as well.

Both days will feature Island and Tahitian crafters and vendors, island food and cultural demonstrations. It's a recipe for spending the day having a great time.

Daily admission is $5, children 6 and under free. Competition application deadline is July 28, 2008. If you wish to participate in the Heiva, please download the application on their website and send it in before the deadline. Craft vendor forms are also available online as well. Tahitian guest artists are available to pre-schedule private drumming workshops: call 808.822.9447

Event organizers - Sally Jo & Tepairu M. Manea

For more information and to download forms, visit the official event website.

Heiva Nui 2009 announced

Provo, Utah will once again host Heiva Nui, Tradewindz Voyage Inc.'s Tahitian dance competition next year. Dates were announced via their website - March 24-28, 2009. Registration will begin August 15, 2008. The dance group "Hei Tahiti" from Tahiti will be a special guest who will undoubtably be conducting workshops and performing. For more information, email them at info@officialtvi.com

Of note also is a design contest for all those interested in Tahitian culture. Try your hand at creating the official design for the 2009 event tshirt. A $100 reward will be the prize.