Hura Tahiti 2009 update

The fourth of July will be filled with more than fireworks in Southern California. Get ready for the 5th Annual Hura Tahiti. Activities will be taking place July 3-4, 2009 in Cerritos, California.

If you have a chance, check out the new look of the website with downloadable information, applications, and upcoming details. Alex Tekurio, Ra'atira of the acclaimed dance group Hitia O Te Ra, organizes the event each year along with the support and assistance of many in the Tahitian dance community.

Check back as more details become available. Deadline for turning in the "intent to enter" application is March, 17, 2009. Don't wait. Reserve your group today.

Tahiti Fete of San Jose 2009 - Hilo on hold

For those of you not expecting an event in San Jose, California in 2009, you'll be pleasantly surprised on new developments just announced by Pua Tokumoto, producer of the Tahiti Fete of San Jose and Tahiti Fete of Hilo. At the recent Hilo event, she quietly announced that a 2009 San Jose event would indeed happen. This is a change from the biannual schedule of the past few years.

The Tahiti Fete of San Jose will indeed take place over the July 4th weekend again - July 3-5, 2009. Events will again take place at the San Jose State University campus. Ticket information, group accommodations, travel packages and more details will be announced when plans are more finalized.

Pua Tokumoto also just announced that the Tahiti Fete of Hilo will be on hold for the time being. Citing the economic down turn and the inability of groups from the mainland to be able to afford the high cost trip, she regretfully decided to suspend having the event. However, she did have hopes for the event to continue as early as 2010.

Tahiti Fete of Hilo Solo Results

It seems that Chelsea Clement is on a roll. Having picked up several overall awards this year, she continues to be at the top of her game. She repeats as the overall soloist, having taking the title last year as well. The 2008 Tahiti Fete of Hilo showcased not only her talents but also some of the best in the Hawaiian island.

The eighth annual event took place October 4, 2008 at the Chinen-Afook Civic Auditorium in Hilo, Hawaii. The dancers and groups took the stage and performed before an energetic crowd of approximately 2,000. This is the last major Tahitian dance competition in Hawaii this year. Only two more Tahitian dance competitions are scheduled on the mainland for 2008 - the Tahiti Fete of Utah (Oct. 17-18) in Salt Lake City, Utah and the Kori Kori Tahiti Fete (Nov. 8-11) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Visit our Tahitian dance events page for information on all events for next year.

Tahiti Fete of Hilo 2008

SOLOISTS

5-8 Vahine
1. Hailey-Rose Kea of To’a Here
2. Malaea Tolentino-Selke of Polynesian Paradise
3. Kahealani Balbas of Matari’i Tahiti

9-12 Vahine
1. Cara-Mia Kricken - Independent
2. Macy Panajon of Pupu Ote Ite Ra
3. Star Alcosiba of Pupu Ote Ite Ra

9-12 Tane
1. Turi Kekuaokalani of Nonosina Hawaii
2. Zacchaeus Uta of Te ‘E’a ‘O Te Turama
3. Tamatoa Uta of Te ‘E’a ‘O Te Turama

13-15 Vahine
1. Nadia Osnaya Hernandez of Hana Escuela de Artes Polinesias
2. Ku’uipo Otsuka of To’a Here
3. Paige Soma of Tiare Ura o’ Tahiti

16-18 Vahine
1. Chelsea Clement of Te ‘E’a ‘O Te Turama
2. Kalei Onzuka of Ma’ohi Nui
3. Charzelle McAngus of Manutahi

19-24 Vahine
1. Anuhea Chang of Merahi Productions
2. Mehana Salvador of To’a Here
3. Cassie Pira of Merahi Productions

25-34 Vahine
1. Pualani Avaeoru of Lu’au Kalamaku
2. Shari Balga of Merahi Productions
3. Jesse Ha’a of Merahi Productions

15-34 Tane
1. Paul Morimoto of Lu’au Kalamaku
2. Brandon Oka of Te U’i Api o Tele Tau Nei

35-49 Vahine
1. Waianuhea Lourdes Rodriguez Rivera of Hana Escuela de Artes Polinesias
2. Arleen Marcelo of Otea Api
3. Tonya Andrews of To’a Here

35-49 Tane
1. Gene Lawakua Gabriel of To’a Here


OVERALL SOLOISTS
Vahine
Chelsea Clement of Te ‘E’a ‘O Te Turama
Tane
Paul Morimoto of Lu’au Kalamaku

Group With Highest Number of Solo Placements
To’a Here of Hilo, Hawaii

Group results for Tahiti Fete of Hilo 2008

Tahitian dance groups from Oahu, the Big Island, Maui and Kauai participated in this year's Tahiti Fete of Hilo. In addition, the group Hana Escuela de Artes Polinesias of Cuautitlan Izcalli, Mexico also participated in the competition. It was the groups' second appearance at the event.

Competition activities took place at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo, Saturday, October 4, 2008. The event featured both a group and solo competition as well as local food and craft vendors.

Below are the results for this years group competition.

Tahiti Fete of Hilo 2008

Tamari’i (Children)
Otea
1. Te ‘E’a o Te Turama of Honolulu, HI
2. Matari’i Tahiti/Tiare Apetahi of Hilo, HI
3. Te Mau Merahi of Kihei, HI

Aparima
1. Te ‘E’a o Te Turama of Honolulu, HI
2. Polynesian Paradise of Capt. Cook, HI
3. Mehetia Productions of Kaneohe, HI

Otea Ori Rau
1. Mehetia Productions of Kaneohe, HI


Hura Ava Tau (Amateur)
Otea
1. Te Mau Merahi of Kihei, HI
2. Hana Escuela de Artes Polinesias of Cuautitlan Izcalli, Mexico
3. Merahi Productions of Hilo, HI

Aparima
1. Hana Escuela de Artes Polinesias of Cuautitlan Izcalli, Mexico
2. Te Mau Merahi of Kihei, HI
3. Matari’i Tahiti/Tiare Apetahi of Hilo, HI

Ahuroa
1. Te Mau Merahi of Kihei, HI
2. Merahi Productions of Hilo, HI
3. Polynesian Paradise of Capt. Cook, HI

Drumming
1. Te Mau Merahi of Kihei, HI

Music
1.Te Mau Merahi of Kihei, HI


Hura Tau (Professional)
Otea
1. To’a Here of Hilo, HI

Ahuroa
1. To’a Here of Hilo, HI

Aparima
1. To’a Here of Hilo, HI

Music
1. To’a Here of Hilo, HI

Drumming
1. To’a Here of Hilo, HI

Traditional Costume
Te Mau Merahi of Kihei, HI

Contemporary Costume
Mehetia Productions of Kaneohe, HI

No energy crisis for Tahiti Fete

By John Burnett
Tribune-Herald Staff Writer

Though hit by economy, air fares, hundreds still flock to Hilo festival. If the drumming and dancing at Tahiti Fete Hilo could be harnessed and transmitted, the Big Island's energy crisis would be solved.

The 2008 edition was scaled back this year from two days to one and fewer dance troupes competed, but a crowd of about 2,000 seemed not to notice, cheering, whistling loudly and stamping their feet, the pulsating percussion driving the dancers to a hip-shaking frenzy.

More at the Hawaii Tribune Herald

Tahiti Fete of Hilo interview

KBIG, a radio station out of Hilo, Hawaii recently conducted an on-air interview with Pua Tokumoto, producer of the Tahiti Fete of Hilo, and talked about this weekends' activities at the Afook-Chinen Civic Center. The event will be taking place Saturday, October 4, 2008 from 9am to 5pm. Check out the radio station website to listen to the 8 minute interview.