Heiva USA

A brand new event is scheduled to hit San Diego this August. Heiva USA, produced by Friends of Tahiti - Te Mau Hoa No Tahiti, will take place August 13-14, 2010 on Shelter Island in San Diego, California. The event will feature a pageant, a gala dinner to be held at the Bali Hai Restaurant on Friday and a Tahitian dance solo competition on Saturday.

The 2010 Miss Heiva USA pageant contestants will compete for the title and 2 round trip tickets to Tahiti on Air Tahiti Nui among other prizes. To be eligible, contestants need to be 18-25 years old. Contact Lindsay Reva McNichol for more information at liny.vandalsink@gmail.com

The Tahiti Gala Dinner will be held at the Bali Hai Restaurant. It will be a traditional Polynesian/Tahitian buffet under the stars. Cost is $50 per person and includes a floor show by Le Polynesia and Heali'i's Polynesian Review.

Soloists will compete in age divisions from 4 years and up at the Pacific Beach Middle School in San Diego. An exhibition round will also take place for 2-3 year olds. Application fees run from $20-30 depending on age division and are available online to download.

Friends of Tahiti is a cultural and charitable non-profit association dedicated to promote friendship, understanding and cultural awareness between the people of French Polynesia and the United States through education and the cultural arts.

Visit the Heiva USA event website for more information.

New Event - 1st Annual Heiva 'Ai 'Ai

Mark your calendar for the 1st "Heiva 'Ai 'Ai"! Saturday, May 29, 2010. If you are hungering for more knowledge ('Ai 'Ai), then check out this new event that will take place at St Louis High School Gymnasium on Oahu, Hawaii. The event features a solo vahine and tane competition, group ahuroa and ahupurotu competition, ...as well as the 1st Annual Miss Heiva 'Ai 'Ai pageant (ages 18-25).

Interested? Email us or send a message and we'll pass on the application once it is released.

The event is produced by Roiti Sylva and Blanche (Tera'i) Hanohano. Both are well established competition judges and have been an integral part in growing the Tahitian dance community.

This is an all day event filled with music, dance, food, and fun.

Deadline for dancer/group applications is March 5, 2010. Payment is due the following week March 12, 2010. Don't be late as there are no exceptions. Applications for Miss Heiva 'Ai 'Ai are due April 1, 2010. In addition, vendors are invited to showcase your crafts and talents in an audience always interested in Polynesian cultural handicrafts.

More information, guidelines and application coming soon.