Tamari'i Tahiti Fete

Guest writers Isitolo and Evelyn Oloa,
organizers of the The Tamari'i Tahiti.

Ia Orana!

Thanks for all of the help that you have given us! The Tamari'i Tahiti Fete was very successful bringing in more competitors and spectators than the previous year. We had groups come in from North Carolina, Illinois, Pennsylvania and all across the state of Florida. The competition was tough as all of the soloists raised their standards leaving a tie for first place in the 9-12 age division and only a difference of a few points for the title of 'Overall Perpetual Soloist'. Cheyenne Sky Romanillos took home most trophies including 'Best Costume', but it was Laarni Fronda who claimed her title for the second year in a row as 'Overall Perpetual Soloist' winning with the highest amount of points. This means she can keep the O.P.S. trophy. (If you win this title you are allowed to keep it for a small period of time but it must be returned. You may only keep the trophy if you win the title two years in a row.)

Special appearances were made by the winners of all divisions of the PCC World Fire Knife Dance Championships: Rex Tiumalu (winner of the Pee Wee Division), V.J. Tiumalu (winner of the Intermediate Division), and Mikaele Oloa (2 time champion of the Senior Division and youngest competitor to ever win the title). They were also part of the house drummers.

If you need anymore information, please just let us know. We are having our web designer update the entire website. So, it will have a brand new look and updated information and photos. Thank you again for all of your help!

Maruruuru,
Isitolo and Evelyn Oloa

Updates for Tahitian Dance Events

Looking at the coming months we're starting to see increased activity and updates on Tahitian dance event websites. One of the biggest changes is a change in date for the Heiva International I Tahiti 2007, not to mention an official name for the event. The event will be held in Papeete Tahiti, on the week of July 23-28 at the To'ata arena, home of the Heiva I Tahiti. Because of a change in government leadership, a date change was necessary to accommodate the new agenda set forth by the new administration.

Information about the event, calendar, applications and other information about getting there are available on Tahiti Nui International's website. In the past, the organizers have produced the Heiva I Honolulu. This year however, it's taken all their efforts to organize the event in Tahiti and weren't able to hold the event in Honolulu. Event organizers have announced that the event will return in 2008 to Honolulu and possibly Tahiti as well.

This week also marks the beginning of the 2007 Heiva season. With Heiva being held in not one but two venues. First off is the Merced Kiki Raina Tahiti Fete. The Merced event is the longest running event in the US. The event runs from March 16-18, 2007 and the competition will be held at the Merced County Fairgrounds. Event activities include the Maeva Merced Pageant (Mr. and Miss Maeva Merced), solo and group competition in aparima, otea and ahuroa. The event will close with exhibitions by tamari'i (children). Go to their website for ticket information and assistance.

The 2007 Tamari'i Tahiti Fete is also happening this weekend. Taking place in Orlando, Florida, this is the second year of this event. The event highlights tamari'i (children) from 3-16 years old. More information is available on their website.

Another change in schedule is the Manutahi Tahiti event in Honolulu, Hawaii. Originally scheduled for April 27-28, 2007, this event has been moved to October. More details as they become available.

Lastly, July 6-7, 2007 are the confirmed dates for the Polynesian Cultural Center's Te Mahana Hiro'a o Tahiti competition.

2007 Tahiti Fete and Heiva

With more and more Tahitian culture, dance and music events making their way to locations throughout the US, comes more need to let the community know of the events. We're looking to provide a service that will prove to be informative and useful. The US will see 15 events spread throughout the country this year. Many events will occur in French Polynesia and at least 2 in Japan. Many of the events are advising us of news regarding their events and we have links to their websites if available.

The Hura Tahiti event occuring in July, for instance, has advised us of new information for vendors and participants. Check out their website for more details. Links to all fete and heiva are listed on our website.

Videos of Heiva on Bora Bora

Bora Bora Heiva Videos »

These videos show the Heiva festival celebrations on Bora Bora, which take place in the village square of Vaitape. Each of the communities on Bora Bora prepares an elaborate floral float, and they are brought into the square one at a time. Each float is accompanied by the villagers of that community in traditional dress, usually singing and accompanied by the local string band. Judges award prizes for presentation. Part 1 shows the first 3 floats. Part 2 shows the fourth float, accompanied by dancers representing both traditional and modern forms of Polynesian dance.

Thanks to Christian Wilson for the information.

Date announcements for Tahiti Fete of Hilo and San Jose

Tahitifete.com has announced the event dates for the Tahiti Fete of Hilo and Tahiti Fete of San Jose. Hilo will have a two-day format on October 6-7, 2007. This past October saw the event condensed into a one-day event. It's yet to be seen if this coming event will follow suite as well.

There won't be a San Jose fete for 2007. The event is planned bi-annually, occurring every other year. The 2008 Tahiti Fete of San Jose will be on July 4-7.

Both events are produced by Pua Tokumoto, out of Hilo, Hawaii. More info will be posted as it becomes available.

Tahitian Dance Resources

By guest writer Christian Wilson

There are many Tahitian dance resources that you can now find on the web.

In past, it was very difficult to find an expert on Tahitian dancing
and culture since most of the group leaders live in Tahiti and only
speak Tahitian or French. With the help of the internet and the
resources listed in blackpearldesigns.com, it is much easier to get
information about upcoming Tahitian festivals, workshops, groups,
costumes without having to travel to Tahiti. Many Tahitians live in
Hawaii or on the US mainland and speak English. Many have taught and
judged major Tahitian competitions and have contacts with the Tahitian
government and cultural experts.

Although Tahitian dance competitions (Heiva Tahiti) have been held in
French Polynesia for over 120 years, it has only been since the
arrival of the Hookulea in 1976 that has brought about a renaissance
of Tahitian culture, music, dance, language, tattooing and the arts.
Every year, interest in Tahitian culture continues to expand within
and outside of Tahiti, noteably in Japan, the Hawaiian Islands (Kauai,
Oahu, Maui and the Big Island‚ as well as the US mainland, Mexico,
Canada and Europe.

It is hoped that this resurgence of interest in traditional Tahitian
culture will provide locals the resources they need to help them
return to their former way of life as it once was before the arrival
of Western Civilization which brought overwhelming change to the
native cultures.

Here are some resources on the internet that may be of use:

Google Video - Tahitian Dance

YouTube - Tahitian Dance

Tattoo Traditions

Heiva i Honolulu website redesign

Check out the new Heiva i Honolulu web pages. With more information and details, applications, group tickets, and resources, the Tahiti Nui International website is updating and upgrading to provide a more comprehensive and informative resource of Tahitian dance.

Heiva i Honolulu 2008 will be the first Heiva of the year happening on March 13-15. Check back soon for purchasing general admission tickets.

Tahiti Nui International shifting location to Tahiti

In a move that has been rumored for awhile, the Tahiti Nui International organization has announced via their website that instead of holding the annual Heiva in Waikiki, that 2007's scheduled event will occur in Tahiti. Heiva i Honolulu is not on the schedule for 2007. Little details are available, but the website promised to be updated soon with additional details and information.

Just a month ago, the website was not promoting any Tahitian event at all. It looked to have been taken over by hackers, but it is back up and running, albeit with minimal information.

The Heiva i Tahiti that occurs in Tahiti during the month of July is the largest Tahitian cultural event in the world. It hosts dancing, drumming, sport, music and a number of other competitions, exhibits, and events. However, one entry requirement requires entrants to be French Polynesian or living in French Polynesia. Outside groups have not been able to participate. This new event in Tahiti looks to be a way that groups from the USA and other foreign countries such as Japan will be able to participate in a competitive event in Tahiti.

The new event is scheduled for August 13-18, 2007.

More on this as information becomes available.

Nonosina dance group to perform in Tahiti

(Tahitipresse) - The US dance group Nonosina will perform Dec. 7, 8, 9 and 10 in Papeete. The dance group will present a new show to the Tahitian audience.

Nonosina is expected to arrive Wednesday night in French Polynesia.

Nonosina is mostly made up of Polynesians living in the United States. More

Tahiti Nui Heiva I Japan

Tahitian dance is expanding around the world. This 1st annual competition located in Tokyo, Japan is a sister competition to the Heiva held in Tahiti and Honolulu, Hawaii. The event has an official website and more information will become available shortly. The event will take place on Sept. 9, 2006. Tahiti Nui Heiva I Japan is sponsored by Treasure Island Corporation of Japan.

Te Hura Nui Festival starts in Tahiti

(Tahitipresse) - The Mini Heiva, which gathers the best dance groups, at the Intercontinental hotel in Tahiti, ended last week-end but another dance festival, Te Hura Nui, started Friday at Le Méridien hotel, in Tahiti's west coast Commune of Punaauia.

Heiva I Tahiti 2006 winner Tamariki Oparo performed for the opening show.

Tamariki Oparo offered quite spectacular and unique dances from Rapa, the southernmost island of French Polynesia. The show entitled "Puku Tangi" (The weeping mountain) tells the story of fierce battles between two tribes.

After the traditional Heiva I Tahiti dance contest in July, and the Mini Heiva at the Intercontinental, the best dance groups, such as Hei Tahiti or Nonahere, will perform until September 2 at Le Méridien both for tourists and a local audience.

Nonahere group leader Matani Kainuku announced that the group will soon tour the Cook Islands and Hawaii in March 2007.