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.