This past weekend saw an abundance of memorable Tahitian dance performances by 10 dance groups and over 150 soloists competing in the 2009 Heiva i Honolulu, March 12-14, 2009.For 3 days the Waikiki Shell hosted the event. The first day was full of soloist performances. The first round started with an exhibition of 2-3 year olds giving us a glimps into the future of Tahitian dance. From there, dancers were brought out in age groups all the way up to 36 and above.
The second round saw at least 3 ties which forced dance offs between several dancers. It didn't get any easier for the judges from there. In the overall womens (vahine) competition, the 3 top dancers were separated by only 1 point. Two were tied (Kawahineha'aheo Oliver of Urahutia Productions and Chelsea Clement of Te 'E'a O Te Turama) and the overall vahine, Charity Offril (pictured, top) of Nemenzo, won by the single point.
On the mens (tane) side, Keawe McArthur of Maohi Nui danced his way to the top spot with Kalaniku Clark of Haruru Toa and Sonny Shwe of Nemenzo closely behind.Groups from Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, California and Japan competed in group events on Friday and Saturday.
One of the closest contests was the drumming division. Two groups, Te Vai Ura Nui of Honolulu, HI and Ia Ora O Tahiti Nui of Waipi'o, HI had scores that were almost too close. The 3 drumming judges, all accomplished drummers in their own right, were Etua Tahauri, Hatota Tehiva, and Tahiti Nui International President Raymond Mariteragi. In the end Te Vai Ura Nui came away with the coveted title.
Each year, the groups from Japan seem to be getting better and better. This year was no exception. Tiare Heipua, from Ishikawa, Japan and under the direction of Heikapu Sabarsah claimed the Hura Ava Tau (Junior) overall division title. This is the second year that they have taken the top spot.
In the Hura Tau (Senior) overall division, 1st place went to crowd favorite Ia Ora O Tahiti Nui, under the direction of a trio of ra'atira - Kevin, Aulii, and Manarii. The Waipi'o group claimed their first title of the Perpetual trophy.Even in unusually cold weather nights and intermitten rain showers, it was a weekend full of fun, music, food, drumming and of course, dancing. Master of ceremonies duties were handled by a great group of individuals - Cathy Teriipaia, Vaihi, and Johan Hironui Bouit - who not only guided the activities, but also made sure to educate the onlookers and let them know exactly what to look for and what was happening.
Tahiti Nui International Support staff made the event flow smoothly. Kudos to Raymond Mariteragi, Rose Perreira, Tamara Ulima, Niu Ulima, Mana Mo'o, Auntie Ho'o and the rest of the volunteers. Looking forward to March 18-20, 2010 - 8th Annual Heiva i Honolulu.
Photos of the event can be purchased at mikebambi.com
DVD's of the event can be purchased at playbackmemories.com
Video highlights can be viewed at pacificnetwork.tv
Here's the complete list of results for the event:
SOLOIST AWARDS
AGE 4-6 TAMAHINE
| 1. | Ku'umanu Kupau of Maohi Nui |
| 2. | Nicole Graham of Te'e'a O Te Turama |
| 3. | Kanoe Navares of Maohi Nui |
AGE 4-6 TAMAROA
| 1. | Skyler Ramento of Heretama Nui |
AGE 7-10 TAMAHINE
| 1. | Denise Robinson of Manutahi Tahiti |
| 2. | Leslie Brooke of Manutahi Tahiti |
| 3. | Jazmine Melchor of Maohi Nui |
AGE 7-10 TAMAROA
| 1. | Troy Spacek of Manutahi Tahiti |
AGE 11-13 TAURE'ARE'A TAMAHINE
| 1. | Poerava Lee of Te 'E'a O Te Turama |
| 2. | Chloe Pojas of Manutahi Tahiti |
| 3. | Shandy Hopeau of Tiare Ura O Tahiti |
AGE 11-13 TAURE'ARE'A TAMAROA
| 1. | Zachary Isaac of Te Mana O Te Ra |
| 2. | Kyle Imipono Miyasato of Merahi Productions |
| 3. | David Alcos of Here Tama Nui |
AGE 14-17 TAURE'ARE'A TAMAHINE
| 1. | Chelsea Clement of Te 'E'a O Te Turama |
| 2. | Eleni Tolutau of Nonosina Hawaii |
| 3. | Jazmine Emerson of Nonosina Hawaii |
AGE 18-21 VAHINE
| 1. | Kawahineha'aheo Oliver of Urahutia Productions |
| 2. | Jocelyn Belden of Haruru Toa |
| 3. | Ana Joyce Advincula of Manutahi Tahiti |
AGE 18-21 TANE
| 1. | Peter Flores of Ia Ora O Tahiti Nui |
AGE 22-26 VAHINE
| 1. | Michelle Baker of Nemenzo |
| 2. | Evlyn Rose Bustamante of Da Island Way |
| 3. | Ai Yoneda of Tiare Heipua |
AGE 22-26 TANE
| 1. | Keawe McArthur of Ma'ohi Nui |
| 2. | Kalaniku Clark of Haruru Toa |
| 3. | Sonny Shwe of Nemenzo |
AGE 27-35 VAHINE
| 1. | Charity Offril of Te Mana O Te Ra |
| 2. | Mi Nei K Oliver of Urahutia Productions |
| 3. | Eleina Gomez of Paul Tavai-Latta Dancers |
AGE 27-35 TANE
| 1. | Andre Mata'afa-Alferos of Ma'ohi Nui |
| 2. | Jonathan Ulibas of Maohi Nui |
| 3. | Joseph Duff of Te Mana O Te Ra |
AGE 36 & ABOVE
| 1. | Leandra Thompson of Nemenzo |
| 2. | Kayoko Soma of Tiare Heipua |
| 3. | Sonia Valentines of Da Island Way |
AGE 36 & ABOVE
| 1. | Lawakua Gabriel of Manutahi Tahiti |
OVERALL VAHINE
| Charity Offril of Te Mana O Te Ra |
OVERALL TANE
| Keawe McArthur of Ma'ohi Nui |
GROUP AWARDS
JR. APARIMA
| 1. | Tiare Heipua |
| Heikapua Sabarsah - Ishikawa, Japan | |
| 2. | Te Mau Merahi |
| Kepa Aricayos - Kihei, HI | |
| 3. | Mehetia Productions |
| Charelle Kahanuala Silva - Kaneohe, HI |
SR. APARIMA
| 1. | Te Tiare Patitifa |
| Keoni Manuel - Wailuku, HI |
JR. AHUPUROTU
| 1. | Tiare Heipua |
| Heikapua Sabarsah - Ishikawa, Japan | |
| 2. | Tokariga Kalokemele |
| Yuko Imai - Chikasaki, Japan | |
| 3. | Te Mau Merahi |
| Kepa Aricayos - Kihei, HI |
SR. AHUPUROTU
| 1. | Te Mana O Te Ra |
| Lisa & Ray Aguilar - Walnut Creek, CA | |
| 2. | Marania Haoragi |
| Tahia Parker - Honolulu, HI | |
| 3. | Te Tiare Patitifa |
| Keoni Manuel - Wailuku, HI |
MAMA RUAU AHUPUROTU
| Tiare Heipua | |
| Heikapua Sabarsah - Ishikawa, Japan |
SR. DRUMMING
| 1. | Te Vai Ura Nui |
| Tyrone Temanaha Jr. - Honolulu, HI | |
| 2. | Ia Ora O Tahiti Nui |
| Kevin & Auli'i - Honolulu, HI |
HURA AVA TAU - JUNIOR OVERALL
| 1. | Tiare Heipua |
| Heikapua Sabarsah - Ishikawa, Japan | |
| 2. | Merahi Productions featuring Tiare Apetahi |
| Tiffany DelaCruz & Seisha Tobosa - Hilo, HI |
HURA TAU - SENIOR OVERALL
| 1. | Ia Ora O Tahiti Nui |
| Kevin & Auli'i - Honolulu, HI | |
| 2. | Te Tiare Patitifa |
| Keoni Manuel - Wailuku, HI |
COSTUME
| Ia Ora O Tahiti Nui | |
| Kevin & Auli'i - Honolulu, HI |
RA'ATIRA
| Ia Ora O Tahiti Nui | |
| Kevin & Auli'i - Honolulu, HI |
PERPETUAL TROPHY - JUNIOR
| Tiare Heipua | |
| Heikapua Sabarsah - Ishikawa, Japan |
PERPETUAL TROPHY - SENIOR
| Ia Ora O Tahiti Nui | |
| Kevin, Auli'i and Manarii - Honolulu, HI |
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