Varua Tahiti E claims Hura Tahiti Title

The competition just keeps getting better and better. That can be said of every group that attended this years' Hura Tahiti event. The heiva, hosted by the Tahitian dance group Hitia O Te Ra and Ra'atira Alex Tekurio is now in its 4th year. Event activities took place at Hope International University in Fullerton, California.

This year saw Fano Maohi of Salt Lake City, Utah claiming the top award in the junior division (Hura Ava Tau) by placing first in both Aparima and Otea. They also received a special recognition for having the best Ra'atira as well.

Overall Hura Tau (Senior Division) honors went to Varua Tahiti E of Oceanside, California led by Torea King. The group also was awarded the best costume award.

Final results for the group competition are below:

Hura Ava Tau (Junior Division)

Group Aparima
1. Fano Maohi of Salt Lake City, UT
2. Varua Hae of Huntington Beach, CA
3. Kei Alaha of Diamondbar, CA

Group Otea
1. Fano Maohi of Salt Lake City, UT
2. Varua Hae of Huntington Beach, CA
3. Kei Alaha of Diamondbar, CA

Group Overall
1. Fano Maohi of Salt Lake City, UT
2. Varua Hae of Huntington Beach, CA
3. Kei Alaha of Diamondbar, CA


Hura Tau (Senior Division)

Group Aparima
1. Varua Tahiti E of Oceanside, CA
2. Tupua of Costa Mesa, CA

Group Otea
1. Tupua of Costa Mesa, CA
2. Varua Tahiti E of Oceanside, CA

Group Ahupurotu
1. Tupua of Costa Mesa, CA
2. Varua Tahiti E of Oceanside, CA
3. Kanamu Dance Company of South Jordan, UT

Group Music
1. Tupua of Costa Mesa, CA
2. Kei Alaha of Diamondbar, CA
3. Healii's Polynesian Revue of San Diego, CA

Group Drumming
1. Tupua of Costa Mesa, CA
2. Varua Tahiti E of Oceanside, CA
3. Nonosina of Anaheim, CA

Best Ra'atira
Fano Maohi of Salt Lake City, UT

Best Costume
Varua Tahiti E of Oceanside, CA

Hura Ava Tau Overall
Fano Maohi of Salt Lake City, UT

Hura Tau Overall
Varua Tahiti E of Oceanside, CA