HereTama Nui takes Heiva I Honolulu title

In front of a nearly full seating capacity, defending local Tahitian dance group Ia Ora O Tahiti Nui of Waipi'o nearly walked away with a second title but in the end it was the inspiring performance of HereTama Nui of Pearl City who claimed top honors at this years Heiva I Honolulu. Led by brothers Allen and Christopher Ramento as well as guidance from their mother Denise Ramento, the group brought the crowd to their feet with their program themed to the legends of the bamboo. The dance group not only took the overall title, the group also was awarded several soloist awards, 1st place in the very competitive Drumming category, 1st place in Ahupurotu, the Best Costume award and Best Ra'atira.

"It's like watching the Heiva in Tahiti," commented Roiti Sylva, one of five on the judging panel at Heiva I Honolulu. She added that the event was unique because in addition to all the traditions of Tahiti it also added the storied background and experience of many dancers and musicians involved in the Hawaiian hula community. The event is also unique because of the support received by sponsors both here in Hawaii and Tahiti. Tahiti Pearl Market, based in Tahiti donated many black pearls and cash for the awards. Aloha Hula Supply, based in Honolulu, donated cash and gift certificates. Tihati Productions, also of Honolulu and a major provider of Polynesian dance performances for the tourism industry in Hawaii also was a major sponsor. Other sponsors included Tahitian Instruments by Chief Miko (drums), Black Pearl Designs (promotions and marketing), Polynesian Cultural Center (prizes including tickets to the new show "Ha"), Cabana Vacation Suites (official hotel), City and County of Honolulu (facilities), Hula Supply Center, and Tahiti Imports.

The event was held at the Waikiki Shell over the weekend. Fourteen dance groups from Hawaii, Japan and the mainland competed in aparima, ahupurotu, drumming and the overall category consisting of paoa, hivinau, and the fast paced ote'a. In addition, 31 dance groups were represented by nearly 180 soloists.

Soloist Lucie Wilson (Laie, HI) from the group Ranihere took to the stage to claim the overall Vahine award and DJ Kekuaokalani of Nonosina Hawaii, also from Laie, took the overall Tane title. Awards for each age group were given to both vahine and tane. Dancers ranged from the very youngest (4 years old) to the more experienced 36 and "beautiful" and "handsome" as Masters of Ceremony, Cathy Teriipaia, Teriimana Mo'o and members of the local music group Vaihi graciously introduced each age group.

In the Hura Ava Tau (Jr) group division, Tiare Heipua, a group from Japan who also claimed last Septembers' Heiva I Japan title, was awarded the overall junior group title. This is the third consecutive year they have won the title here in Honolulu. Their award-winning performance was based on the colors of the rainbow. The group is led by group leader (ra'atira pupu) Heikapua Sabarsah.

"This success is due to the support received from the near one hundred volunteers, the unaccounted hours from the Board and administrative team, the dance groups and ra'atira pupu, vendors, and from sponsors," stated Raymond Mariteragi, President of Tahiti Nui International. "I've received numerous calls from group leaders, dancers, and parents expressing their joy for the way the Heiva was run," added Rose Perreira, Senior Vice President and Event Coordinator.

Without further delay, here are the results of Heiva I Honolulu 2010

SOLOIST AWARDS

AGE 4-6 TAMAHINE
1. Tiffany Alcos of HereTama Nui
2. Jazzlyn Samuseav of Marania Haoragi
3. Kiana Aniya of HereTama Nui

AGE 4-6 TAMAROA
1. Kaleb Poniatowski of HereTama Nui
2. Jason Mariteragi of Nonosina Hawaii

AGE 7-10 TAMAHINE
1. Momoka Narita of Tiare Heipua
2. Ku'umanu Kupau of Maohi Nui
3. Lily Sabarsah of Tiare Heipua

AGE 7-10 TAMAROA
1. Skyler Ramento of HereTama Nui
2. Jordan Mariteragi of Nonosina Hawaii
3. Mykle Keni of Nonosina Hawaii

AGE 11-13 TAURE'ARE'A TAMAHINE
1. Denise Robinson of Manutahi Tahiti
2. Miyu Mitsuhashi of Tiare Heipua
3. Jazmine Melchor of Maohi Nui

AGE 11-13 TAURE'ARE'A TAMAROA
1. JD Melchor of Maohi Nui
2. Ronson Farin-Yadao of Manutahi Tahiti
3. Kaiko Gouveia of HereTama Nui

AGE 14-17 TAURE'ARE'A TAMAHINE
1. Charzell McAngus of Maohi Nui
2. Kiana Gordon of Te Mana O Te Ra
3. Angela Cezar of Tiare Ura O Tahiti

AGE 14-17 TAURE'ARE'A TAMAROA
1. Keenan Chung of Maohi Nui
2. Keanu Neill-Mesiona of Manutahi Tahiti

AGE 18-21 VAHINE
1. Lucie Wilson of Ranihere
2. Poerava Goo of Tahiti Toa
3. Alexa Ashley Cezr of Tiare Ura O Tahiti

AGE 18-21 TANE
1. Peter Flores of Ia Ora O Tahiti Nui

AGE 22-26 VAHINE
1. Heather Jose of Te Vai Ura Nui
2. Ai Yoneda of Tiare Heipua
3. Kapua De Ramos of Maohi Nui

AGE 22-26 TANE
1. Keawe McArthur of Maohi Nui
2. Glenn Salonga of Manuia
3. Joseph Pauole of HereTama Nui

AGE 27-35 VAHINE
1. Ayuka Hattori of Tiare Heipua
2. Chiharu Yamazaki of Tiare Heipua
3. Melanie Esquerra, Independent

AGE 27-35 TANE
1. DJ Kekuaokalani of Nonosina Hawaii
2. Jonathan Ulibas of Maohi Nui
3. Ken Watada of Ia Ora O Tahiti Nui

AGE 36 & ABOVE
1. Miyako Konishide of Tiare Heipua
2. Kaori Torita of Marama Hau Nui
3. Kaori Yamamoto of Te Hei Ura Polynesian Studio

AGE 36 & ABOVE
1. Alvin Mariteragi of Nonosina Hawaii
2. Lawakua Gabriel of Manutahi Tahiti

OVERALL VAHINE
 
Lucie Wilson of Ranihere

OVERALL TANE
 
DJ Kekuaokalani of Nonosina Hawaii
 
 
GROUP AWARDS

HURA AVA TAU (JR) APARIMA
1. Tiare Heipua
 Heikapua Sabarsah, Pualani Horiushi, and Heitiare Komatsu - Ishikawa, Japan
2. Marama Hau Nui
 Masako Ishibashi - Kamakura, Japan
3. Mehetia Productions
 Charelle Kahanuala Silva - Kaneohe, HI

HURA AVA TAU (JR) AHUPUROTU
1. Tiare Heipua
 Heikapua Sabarsah, Pualani Horiushi, and Heitiare Komatsu - Ishikawa, Japan
2. Hot Lavalava Productions
 Naninohea and Kahealani Kapana - Honolulu, HI
3. Mehetia Productions
 Charelle Kahanuala Silva - Kaneohe, HI

HURA AVA TAU (JR) DRUMMING
1. Tiare Ura O Tahiti
 Jerrold Martinez - Aiea, HI
2. Tiare Heipua
 Heikapua Sabarsah, Pualani Horiushi, and Heitiare Komatsu - Ishikawa, Japan

MAMA RUAU AHUPUROTU
1. Te Vai Ura Nui
 Charles and Cathy Temanaha. - Honolulu, HI
2. Te Hei Ura Polynesian Studio
 Kapuahau'oli Arai and Kazue "PuaUra" Nishida. - Hyogo, Japan

HURA TAU (SR) AHUPUROTU
1. HereTama Nui
 Allen Ramento, Christopher Ramento and Denise Ramento - Pearl City, HI
2. Te Vai Ura Nui
 Charles and Cathy Temanaha. - Honolulu, HI
3. Nonosina Hawaii
 JonRaymond and Tiani Mariteragi - Laie, HI

HURA TAU (SR) DRUMMING
1. HereTama Nui
 Allen Ramento, Christopher Ramento and Denise Ramento - Pearl City, HI
2. Ia Ora O Tahiti Nui
 Kevin & Auli'i - Honolulu, HI
3. Maohi Nui
 Mervyn Lilo - Aiea, HI

HURA AVA TAU - JUNIOR OVERALL
1. Tiare Heipua
 Heikapua Sabarsah, Pualani Horiushi, and Heitiare Komatsu - Ishikawa, Japan
2. Tamatoa
 Tino Moe - Kaneohe, HI
3. Tiare Ura O Tahiti
 Jerrold Martinez - Aiea, HI

HURA TAU - SENIOR OVERALL
1. HereTama Nui
 Allen Ramento, Christopher Ramento and Denise Ramento - Pearl City, HI
2. Ia Ora O Tahiti Nui
 Kevin & Auli'i - Honolulu, HI
3. Nonosina Hawaii
 JonRaymond and Tiani Mariteragi - Laie, HI

COSTUME
HereTama Nui
 Allen Ramento, Christopher Ramento and Denise Ramento - Pearl City, HI

RA'ATIRA 
HereTama Nui
 Allen Ramento, Christopher Ramento and Denise Ramento - Pearl City, HI

PERPETUAL TROPHY - JUNIOR
 
Tiare Heipua
 Heikapua Sabarsah - Ishikawa, Japan

PERPETUAL TROPHY - SENIOR
 
HereTama Nui
 Allen Ramento, Christopher Ramento and Denise Ramento - Pearl City, HI

More information, videos and photos may be found at the official website of Tahiti Nui International, www.tahitinuiinternational.com