Hura Tahiti announces special hotel sponsor offer

Only a 10 minute walk away from the Hura Tahiti 2010 Tahitian dance competition, the Fullerton Marriott at California State University just announced their special "Hura Tahiti" rate of only $94 per room-single, double, triple or quad. To book reservations, call 714 738-7800 and mention the Hura Tahiti special rate. Book now to avoid losing out on this opportunity.

With at least 18 dance groups represented at the event and 5 large group presentations, Hura Tahiti 2010 is shaping up to be full schedule event. All activities are taking place June 18-19, 2010 at Hope International University, 2500 E. Nutwood Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92831.

Hura Tahiti is a Tahitian dance competition featuring both solo and group performances. The event is produced by the award-winning Hitia O Te Ra group led by ra'atira Alex Tekurio. Last year, the dance group Manuia Polynesia took the overall group title. Soloists Evlyn Bustamante of Da Island Way and Glenn Salonga of Manuia Polynesia took the overall vahine and tane titles, respectively.

For more information on the event, visit the official Hura Tahiti website.

Event photos courtesy of David Do / www.ddodesign.com

Hura Tahiti 2010

Looking to the 2010 Tahitian dance calendar, we have the Hura Tahiti 2010 dates hosted by Hope International University in Fullerton, California on June 18-19. This will be the sixth year that Alex Tekurio, ra'atira of the award-winning group Hitia O Te Ra will be producing the event.

This past June, intense competition in the 5th annual event led to Manuia Polynesia taking the overall group award. But Nemenzo, Le Polynesia, Te Mana O Te Ra, and Te Pura O Te Rahura'a were close behind. Overall Vahine - Evlyn Bustamante of Da Island Way and Overall Tane - Glenn Salonga of Manuia Polynesia will also be hard pressed to repeat next year.

Applications are now available on the website and additional information about special hotel rates and schedule will be forthcoming. Check back periodically for updates.

Hura Tahiti results

The 2009 Hura Tahiti Tahitian dance competition just took place this past weekend. Dance groups and soloists came from the greater California area and competed at the Hope International University in Fullerton, CA. The Southern California event is produced by Alex Tekurio.

Evelyn Bustamante of Da Island Way and Glenn Salonga of Manuia Polynesia were awarded overall vahine and tane soloists, respectively. And the dance group Manuia Polynesia, led by Tommy Tualaulelei, of San Francisco was named the overall group.

Competing groups included Da Island Way, Heali'is Polynesian Revue, Hui Tama Nui, Kaleo O'Nalani, Kawailehua Hula Ohana, Le Polynesia, Lei Isa, Manea Dancers, Manuia Polynesia, Mata'i Rea, Nemenzo, Nonosina, Puahi's Polynesian Dancers, Te Mana O Te Ra, Te Pura O Te Rahura'a, Varua Hae, and several independent dancers.

In addition to being the event producer and leading ra'atira of his own dance group, Hitia O Te Ra, Alex Tekurio is also taking a group to this years Heiva i Tahiti next month. The event is the original Tahitian dance competition that takes place annually in Papeete, Tahiti at Place To'ata.

Here are the results for the 2009 Hura Tahiti:

Soloist Awards

Age 5-7 Tamahine
1. Hope Fiaseu of Nonosina
2. Melia Timo of Nonosina
3. Kealani Rivera of Nonosina

Age 5-7 Tamaroa
1. Kobe Keoni Johnson-Dulay of Nemenzo
2. David Cordy - Independent
3. Dean Serrano of Lei Isa

Age 8-10 Tamahine
1. Lorie Pamatmat of Da Island Way
2. Fiona O'Neil of Te Pura O Te Rahura'a
3. Leilani Sabit of Te Pura O Te Rahura'a

Age 8-10 Tamaroa
1. Arik Gaoay of Nonosina
2. Yuaki Goto of Heali'is Polynesian Revue
3. Joshua Bennett of Nonosina

Age 11-13 Vahine
1. Juliet Basnett - Independent
2. Melanie-Marie Amen of Mata'i Rea
3. Sammy McClymonds - Independent

Age 14-17 Vahine
1. Tabitha Tabbert of Lei Isa
2. Stephanie Efnor of Nonosina
3. Tessalonia Ambrose of Hui Tama Nui

Age 14-17 Tane
1. JB Almogela of Kawailehua Hula Ohana
2. Anthony Petersen of Nemenzo
3. Jerrod Meneses of Manuia Polynesia

Age 18-21 Vahine
1. Jena Doiron of Heali'is Polynesian Revue
2. Fa'anofo Laupepa of Nonosina
3. Christina Wood of Nemenzo

Age 18-21 Tane
1. Jordan Lilii of Nonosina
2. Ryan Samn of Nemenzo
3. Scott Arpen of Varua Hae

Age 22-25 Vahine
1. Heali'i O Nalani Stanley of Heali'is Polynesian Revue
2. Shanna Pineda of Te Pura O Te Rahura'a
3. Lizzy Gutierrez of Manea Dancers

Age 22-25 Tane
1. Glenn Salonga of Manuia Polynesia
2. Sonny Shwe of Nemenzo
3. John Depala of Varua Hae

Age 26-30 Vahine
1. Evlyn Bustamante of Da Island Way
2. Colie Amen of Mata'i Rea
3. Desiree Woodward-Lee of Nemenzo

Age 31-35 Vahine
1. Saua Case of Lei Isa
2. Maok Sako of Le Polynesia
3. Tania Riss of Manuia Polynesia

Age 31-35 Tane
1. Dean Silvestre of Lei Isa

Age 36+ Vahine
1. Sheila Keikilani of Le Polynesia
2. Leandra Thompson of Nemenzo
3. Michelle Swanson of Puahi's Polynesian Dancers

Overall Vahine
Evlyn Bustamante of Da Island Way

Overall Tane
Glenn Salonga of Manuia Polynesia


Group Awards

Ote'a
1. Nemenzo
2. Manuia Polynesia
3. Le Polynesia

Aparima
1. Manuia Polynesia
2. Nemenzo
3. Le Polynesia

Orero
Le Polynesia

Best Ra'atira
Le Polynesia

Best Costume
Manuia Polynesia

Overall Group
Manuia Polynesia

Music
1. Te Mana O Te Ra
2. Manuia Polynesia
3. Te Pura O Te Rahura'a

Drumming
1. Nemenzo
2. Le Polynesia
3. Manuia Polynesia

Ahupurotu
1. Te Mana O Te Ra
2. Manuia Polynesia
3. Te Pura O Te Rahura'a

Tamari'i Ote'a
1. Le Polynesia
2. Manuia Polynesia

Tamari'i Aparima
1. Le Polynesia

Tamari'i Ahupurotu
1. Le Polynesia
2. Kaleo O'Nalani

Second sponsor hotel for Hura Tahiti announced

Just when you thought there was going to be a great deal for a Hura Tahiti 2009 hotel stay, it just got better. Hura Tahiti producer Alex Tekurio announced that a second sponsor hotel is now available to book for groups and individual parties. A special Hura Tahiti $89 rate is now available at the Fullerton Marriott at California State University. The rate is good when you call in to make the reservation at 714 738-7800. Be sure to mention "Hura Tahiti" when calling. Even better is that the hotel is within walking distance of the event, just a 3 minute walk.

Hura Tahiti 2009, a Tahitian dance soloist and group competition, will take place June 19-20, 2009 at the Hope International University in Fullerton, CA. For more information, visit their website.

Special hotel rate for Hura Tahiti

As the sponsoring hotel, the Residence Inn Anaheim Placentia/Fullerton is offering a special Hura Tahiti rate of $109 per day. Mention HURA TAHITI when you make your reservation.

"Disneyland is only six miles away, and Knotts Berry Farm just beyond. Also within easy access to this Anaheim, CA hotel are the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace in Yorba Linda, California State University in Fullerton and the antiquing capitol of Southern California, the City of Orange."

The fifth annual Hura Tahiti is a Tahitian dance competition being held June 19-20, 2009 at the Hope International University in Fullerton, CA. Both group and soloists will compete for awards. Tickets for the event are $15 (11 yrs and up) and $10 for children (5-10 yrs). For more information, contact event producer Alex Tekurio at (714) 537-7478 or email him at hitiaotera@aol.com

Hura Tahiti 2009 date change

The 2009 Tahitian dance calendar is full of events. Hura Tahiti, a major event this summer, is making an expected date adjustment. Instead of the July 4th weekend, the event is bumping up to June 19-20, 2009. Activities will take place at Hope International University in Fullerton, California.

Producer Alex Tekurio recently made the change after consulting with his staff and reviewing other scheduling activities of the organization. With a long awaited trip to Tahiti planned later for his own acclaimed dance group, Hitia O Te Ra, the summer is shaping up to be very busy.

More details about the event are due to be posted on the official Hura Tahiti website shortly. Applications are available for download and are due by March 17th. Contact them directly at (714) 537-7478 or email them at hitiaotera@aol.com for any questions.