Heiva I Kauai readying for up and coming groups

Get ready for the 9th Annual Heiva I Kauai. Set in Kapa'a, Kauai, the Tahitian dance competition produced by Manea and Jo Tepairu, is returning to Kapa'a Beach Park over the July 31-August 1, 2010 weekend. The competition features both soloists and groups and also a competitive drumming category as well.

Soloists will compete in age groups for the vahine and tane titles. Groups will compete in several categories including Ote'a, Aparima, Ahupurotu, Drumming, and Music.

"We have two "up-and-coming" young local groups that are working very hard to enter group competition this year that we are very excited about. That is what our Heiva is all about...growing the next generation of Tahitian dancers and musicians and providing the venue for them to gain expertise and confidence." organizer Jo Tepairu explained in recent correspondence.

Another exciting aspect unique to this competition is the apprentice program. She goes on to explain "We also have an apprentice judge program that was started last year with two young people whom we hope to have return for more training this year."

Cathy Teriipaia will once again return as the Master of Ceremonies this year. Her father, Papi Teriipaia, a frequent advisor and judge, will once again supervise the coconut husking competition which was started last year.

On Saturday morning, a traditional welcoming ceremony will start the festivities. Gates open to the public at 9 AM and the solo competition begins at 10 AM. Group competition schedules will depend on the number of entries.

On Sunday, gates open at 9 AM and exhibition dancing begins at 10 AM with group competition continuing. Sunday will end with solo, group and drumming award presentations.

Festival participants will enjoy a weekend of great Tahitian entertainment, browse through an array of Polynesian arts and crafts, observe and participate in creating Polynesian crafts, savor delicious local foods and participate in dance and coconut husking contests.

Admission is $5 a day at the door. Children age 6 and under are free.

Heiva i Kauai 2010 announced

Heiva i Kauai has announced tentative dates for their event next year. Again being held at Kapa'a Beach Park, activities will take place over the July 31-August 1, 2010 weekend. It will again feature solo and group competition, drumming, craft and food vendors. For more information, visit their official website. Heiva i Kauai is produced by Tepairu and Sally Jo Manea.

Results for Heiva i Kauai 2009

Tahitian dance groups from Oahu and Kauai vied for top honors in this years Heiva i Kauai. Event activities took place at the Kapa'a Beach Park over the August 1-2, 2009 weekend. The 8th annual event is organized and produced by Tapairu & Jo Manea and Stella Miyoshi.

Overall soloist awards went to Manuel Trujillo (Overall Junior Tane), Poerava Lee (Overall Junior Vahine), Julian Maeva (Overall Senior Tane), and Lani Figaroa (Overall Senior Vahine). Awards for each age group were also awarded and are listed below.

Te 'E'a O Te Turama (Maile Lee) of Oahu, took several group awards including the Overall Group award. While Manutahi Tahiti (Pola Teriipaia) took top honors for their Ote'a presentation.

Complete results are below. For a look at past results for events, visit Tahitian Dance.

Overall Junior Tane Soloist
Manuel Trujillo of Ta'ere Tia'i

Overall Junior Vahine Soloist
Poerava Lee of Te 'E'a O Te Turama

Overall Senior Tane Soloist
Julian Maeva of Manutahi Tahiti

Overall Senior Vahine Soloist
Lani Figaroa of Ori Uviira

Age 4-6 Tamaroa
1. Qandon Josue of Te 'E'a O Te Turama

Age 4-6 Tamahine
1. Nicole Graham of Te 'E'a O Te Turama
2. Taylor Acosta of Manutahi Tahiti
3. Jayda Candelaria - Independent

Age 7-9 Tamaroa
1. Oviri Avaeoru-Villatora of Ta'ere Tia'i

Age 7-9 Tamahine
1. Jade Anton of Te 'E'a O Te Turama
2. Tia Takasaki of Halau Hula o Leilani
3. Sophia Rivera of Ilima Rivera's Hula Studio

Age 10-12 Tamaroa
1. Manuel Trujillo of Ta'ere Tia'i
2. Tamatoa Uta of Te 'E'a O Te Turama
3. Kainoah Ferris of Ilima Rivera's Hula Studio

Age 10-12 Tamahine
1. Poerava Lee of Te 'E'a O Te Turama
2. Caramia Kricken of Te Ora Roa Otea
3. Tahra-Leo Kaui of Ilima Rivera's Hula Studio

Age 13-15 Tane
1. Emmsley Drake of Rohotu
2. Zacchaus Uta of Te 'E'a O Te Turama
3. Kamuela Ferris of Ilima Rivera's Hula Studio

Age 13-15 Vahine
1. Tara Teriipaia of Manutahi Tahiti
2. Kristie Pii Matias of Tamatea Nui
3. Victoria Rivera of Ilima Rivera's Hula Studio

Age 16-18 Tane
1. Kainalu Tolentino of Te 'E'a O Te Turama
2. Ranson Lee of Manutahi Tahiti

Age 16-18 Vahine
1. Chelsea Clement of Te 'E'a O Te Turama
2. Kalei Onzuka of Maohi Nui
3. Jessy Lasala of Nonosina

Age 19-25 Tane
1. Julian Maeva of Manutahi Tahiti
2. Mikaele Oloa of Manutahi Tahiti

Age 19-25 Vahine
1. Lani Figaroa of Ori Uviira
2. Candace Laamea of Rohotu
3. Keana Camense of Manutahi Tahiti

Age 26-39 Tane
1. Nicolas Kaneakua of Ori Uviira
2. William Maycong of Kaiko Boy Entertainment
3. Mahiai Kekumu of Te 'E'a O Te Turama

Age 26-39 Vahine
1. Shannon Daliva of Ori Uviira
2. Marie Kricken of Te Ora roa Otea

Age 40+ Tane
1. Lawakua Gabriel of Manutahi Tahiti

Age 40+ Vahine
1. Anuenue Mose of Lumana'i O Polenisia


Group Awards

Overall
Te 'E'a O Te Turama of Kaneohe, Oahu

Ahupurotu
1. Te 'E'a O Te Turama of Kaneohe, HI
2. Ori Uviira of Kapa'a, HI

Drumming
1. Manutahi Tahiti of Wahiawa, HI
2.Tamatea Nui O Kauai of Lihue, HI

Aparima
1. Te 'E'a O Te Turama of Kaneohe, HI

Otea
1. Manutahi Tahiti of Wahiawa, HI
2. Te 'E'a O Te Turama of Kaneohe HI
3. Tamatea Nui O Kauai of Lihue, HI

Bringing a taste of Tahiti to Kauai

By Joan Conrow

The members of Tamatea Nui O Kaua'i hear the beat of Tahitian drums in their sleep and find themselves tapping the rhythms wherever they go.

The Tahitian drumming and hula group has been studying under drum-making master Tepairu Manea, and after just four months, they're ready to perform at the 8th Annual Heiva I Kauai Iorana Tahiti, an international Tahitian dance competition.

More of the story at the Honolulu Advertiser

More to come on the events of the 8th Annual Heiva i Kauai coming soon.

Heiva i Kauai craft vendor space available

With less than a month left until Heiva i Kauai takes place, craft vendor space is limited but there are still a few booth spaces available. The event is taking place over the weekend of August 1-2, 2009 at the Kapa'a Beach Park in Kapa'a, Kauai. Admission is $5 a day at the door. Children age 6 and under are free.

Craft vendor booths are $150 for both festival days. The price includes 2 passes, a tent, table, and bench. For more information, call 808 652-8574. This is a great opportunity for Polynesian craftsman to show their wares at an affordable price to customers who share their interests.

Heiva i Kauai is produced by Tepairu and Sally Jo Manea.

Heiva i Kauai 2009 announced

The Heiva i Kauai committee, led by Tepairu and Jo Manea have announced the dates for next years' event - August 1-2, 2009. Activities will once again take place at the Kapa'a Beach Park in Kauai, Hawaii. Now in its 8th year, Heiva i Kauai Ia Orana Tahiti continues to have participants join in the fun of perpetuating the art and joy of Tahitian dance and drumming.

"Heiva i Kauai is a family-centered community non-profit Tahitian cultural event produced annually by volunteers, with assistance from the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the County of Kauai Product Enrichment Program. All admission gate and vendor booth proceeds received each year are used to produce the following year’s event. The program includes exciting Tahitian solo competition for tane and vahine dancers from age 4 to tupuna, as well as group competition and exhibition for otea, aparima, ahuroa and drumming. Tahitian dance and drumming workshops occur throughout the weekend."

Competition applications and additional information about the event is available at the event website. The organizers are excited about the interest they are getting from groups. Contact them for assistance in organizing for group accommodations and travel. More information to come.

Soloists shine at the 7th Annual Heiva i Kauai

Last week, Kapa'a Beach Park was the site for the 7th Annual Heiva i Kauai Ia Orana Tahiti dance competition. Audiences were treated to a premier solo competition with Chelsea Clement of Honolulu's Te ‘E’a o te Turama claiming the top soloist award. Not only did she repeat as the top dancer in her age category, she picked up the Overall Soloist award this year. This comes on the heals of titles she recently received at other events including the Tahiti Fete of Hilo and the Polynesian Cultural Center's Te Mahana Hiro'a o Tahiti.

Highlighting the event was to be an artisan and dance group from Tahiti. However, due to a recent tragic accident and health issues for the group leader, the group was not able to attend. Despite the setback, that didn't stop the event from pleasing the crowds. A sold out crafters area and continuous workshops for dancers, drummers and musicians kept everyone busy and ready for the main competition. The Kauai Garden Island newspaper reported indepth. Check out their article by reporter Dennis Fujimoto.

Here are the final results from the event:

Vahine Age 4-7
1. Kyanna Asuncion of Halau Hula o Leilani
2. Angelina Rivera of Ilima Rivera’s Hula Halau

Tane Age 7-9
1. Kai Noah Ferris of Ilima Rivera’s Hula Halau

Vahine Age 7-9
1. Vaikehu Parker of Marania Haoragi
2. Tia Takahashi of Halau Hula o Leilani
3. Sophia Rivera of Ilima Rivera’s Hula Halau

Tane Age 10-12
1. Kamuela Ferris of Ilima Rivera’s Hula Halau

Vahine Age 10-12
1. Cara Mia Kricken - Independent
2. Tahra-Lee Kaui of Halau Hula o Leilani
3. Ashley Bowman of Ilima Rivera’s Hula Halau

Tane Age 13-15
1. Emmsley-James Drake of Rohotu

Vahine Age 13-15
1. Chelsea Clement of Te ‘E’a o te Turama
2. Kirstie Pii Matias of Halau Hula o Leilani
3. Teresa Huff - Independent

Vahine Age 16-18
1. Kawahinehaaheo Oliver of Urahutia

Vahine Age 19-25
1. Lani Figaroa of Ori Uviira
2. Kauluwehiokekai Oliver of Urahutia
3. Kelcie Yomen of Urahutia

Vahine Age 26-39
1. Marie Mapa - Independent
2. Wailana Dasalia of Halau Hula o Leilani

Vahine Age 40 +
1. Louise Sausen - Independent


Overall Junior Tane
Kamuela Ferris of Ilima Rivera’s Hula Halau

Overall Junior Vahine
Cara Mia Kricken - Independent

Overall Senior Tane
Emmsley-James Drake of Rohotu

Overall Senior Vahine
Chelsea Clement of Te ‘E’a o te Turama

A whole lotta shakin' at Heiva i Kauai

Book your tickets now. In less than a month Kapa'a will host Kauai's own Heiva i Kauai Ia Orana. Taking place August 2-3, 2008 the event is now in its 7th year. Dancers are competing in solo and group categories. Drummers are also competing in traditional and contemporary categories. Last years best group, Tamarii A Hiva, from Oahu, will be hard pressed to repeat their overwhelming performance from last year.

This year will also feature a large contingency from Tahiti. Master drummer, Heimanu Tehahe and his group Tamarii No Faaa will be performing both days as a feature exhibition during the competition. In addition, the cultural artisans will be conducting Tahitian dance and drumming workshops and have a group of crafters from Tahiti accompanying them as well.

Both days will feature Island and Tahitian crafters and vendors, island food and cultural demonstrations. It's a recipe for spending the day having a great time.

Daily admission is $5, children 6 and under free. Competition application deadline is July 28, 2008. If you wish to participate in the Heiva, please download the application on their website and send it in before the deadline. Craft vendor forms are also available online as well. Tahitian guest artists are available to pre-schedule private drumming workshops: call 808.822.9447

Event organizers - Sally Jo & Tepairu M. Manea

For more information and to download forms, visit the official event website.

Heiva i Kauai schedule set

On August 2-3, 2008 the Kapaa Beach Park on Kauai will once again become the site of Heiva i Kauai. Now in its seventh year, the event features Tahitian dance solo, group and drumming competitions. The event will also feature multi-cultural exhibition dancing, singing and crafts. Vendors will have an array of items from South Pacific islands for sale.

Applications, contact information and more details are available online at the official website. Deadline for applicants is July 28, 2008. Admission is $5 per day and children 6 and under are free. Gates open on both days at 10am with competition and activities starting at 11am.

On Saturday afternoon, August 2nd and Sunday morning, August 3rd, multi-cultural workshops, including Tahitian dance, choreography, and drumming will be held. Solo competition will start on Saturday. Group competition will follow and continue through Sunday. Awards will be announced at the completion of competition on Sunday.

Heiva I Kauai competition results and 2008 announcement

Competition results for the Heiva I Kauai Ia Orana Tahiti 2007 have been finalized. The event was held this past weekend August 4-5. Crowds and vendors were treated to premier performances by visiting Oahu group Tamarii A Hiva. Solo standouts included Kauluwehiokekai Oliver (left) from Urahutia (Kauai), Kamuela Nobriga-Ferris of Ilima's Hula Studio (Kauai), Jay Spacek of Manutahi (Oahu), Niccolas Kaneakua of Ori Uuria (Kauai), and Sadie Ka’iulani Schilling of Tamatea Nui (Lanai).

Several groups from Oahu and the outer islands were not able to attend this year due to sold out flights to Kauai during the event. Event organizers are working with transportation issues with the airlines and the upcoming Hawaii Superferry for next years event.

And speaking of next year, Organizers Sally Jo and Tepairu Manea have announced that next years Heiva I Kauai Ia Orana will take place on ...August 2-3, 2008 at the Kapaa Beach Park. Check their official website for upcoming ticket information.

Even with all the other activities going on throughout the island, the event t-shirt sold out. Designed by event organizer Tepairu Manea, the shirt depicts the honu and pays homage to Tahitian and Hawaiian tapa motifs. Vendors at the event were also busy and sales were brisk.

Solo Competition

Vahine Age 4-6
1. Mahealani Farrell of Tamarii A Hiva, Oahu
2. Kiana Asuncion of Halau Hula o Leilani, Kauai

Tane Age 7-9
1. Jay Spacek of Manutahi, Oahu
2. Troy Spacek of Manutahi, Oahu
3. Kainoa Nobriga-Ferris of Ilima’s Hula Studio, Kauai

Vahine Age 7-9
1. Sadie Ka’iulani Schilling of Tamatea Nui, Lanai
2. Catherine Lessary of Tamarii A Hiva, Oahu
3. Sophia Rivera of Ilima’s Hula Studio, Kauai

Tane Age 10-12
1. Kamuela Nobriga-Ferris of Ilima’s Hula Studio, Kauai

Vahine Age 10-12
1. Malia Murphy of Tamarii A Hiva, Oahu
2. (tie) Esther Pasi of Tamarii A Hiva, Oahu
2. (tie) Tahra-Lee Kaui of Halau Hula o Leilani, Kauai
3. Teresa Huff of Halau Hula o Leilani, Kauai

Vahine Age 13-15
1. Chelsea Clement of Te Ea o te Turama, Oahu
2. Raychelle Spacek of Manutahi, Oahu
3. Alyssa Jeffries of Kaliko Boy Entertainment, Kauai

Vahine Age 16-18
1. Lani Figaroa of Ori Uuria, Kauai
2. Kawahinehaaheo Oliver of Urahutia, Kauai
3. Shayna Obrero – Zablan of Tamatea Nui, Lanai

Tane Age 19-25
1. Niccolas Kaneakua of Ori Uuria, Kauai
2. Dan Kala Oshiro of Kaliko Boy Entertainment, Kauai

Vahine Age 19-25
1 Kauluwehiokekeai Oiver of Urahutia, Kauai

Vahine Age 26-39
1 Iris Farrell of Tamarii a Hiva, Oahu


Overall Junior Tane - Jay Spacek of Manutahi, Oahu

Overall Junior Vahine - Malia Murphy of Tamarii A Hiva, Oahu

Overall Senior Tane - Niccolas Kaneakua of Ori Uuria, Kauai

Overall Senior Vahine - Lani Figaroa of Ori Uuria, Kauai

Group Competition

Ahuroa - Tamarii A Hiva

Aparima - Tamarii A Hiva

Otea - Tamarii A Hiva

Drumming - Tamarii A Hiva

Overall - Tamarii A Hiva

Heiva I Kauai competes with Na Pali Challenge

It was a busy weekend for Kauai. Two high profile events sold out flights to the Garden Island. The three major carriers, Hawaiian Airlines, Aloha Airlines and Island Air all reported full capacity on flights to and from Kauai during the events. It's too bad that the Hawaii Superferry isn't operating yet. A great opportunity was missed to showcase Hawaii's newest interisland transport.

The Garden Island reports that many of the dancers participating in the Heiva I Kauai Ia Orana Tahiti were also participating in the paddling event as well. The paddling event is larger and possibly siphoned off attendance to Saturdays Heiva activites. “From what we heard, there were several groups who just couldn’t get flights here,” a vendor said. “On Saturday, one girl came running in just as they were announcing her competition because she had just come off a flight here.”

Several of the entertainers and groups that were planning to participate were not able to get to Kauai because of the sold out flights. One person who was able to book a flight was Carol Casil. Casil, visiting from the Big Island, had two of her daughters with her, and was planning to visit the Heiva following the paddling championships. Casil was the founder of the Kauai Tahiti Fete and has been a longtime advocate of Tahitian dance and music competitions before moving to the Big Island.

This year’s Heiva was dedicated to the memory of David Kaneholani, a longtime supporter of the Heiva.

Tepairu Manea, director of Heiva I Kauai, was pleased with the participation and expressed his appreciation to staff, vendors, participants and audience.

More reporting at The Garden Island

Heiva I Kauai Ia Orana Tahiti announcements

Announcing the 6th annual Heiva I Kauai Iaorana Tahiti, August 4-5, 2007 at Kapaa Beach Park, Kapaa, Kauai, Hawaii. This event is a Tahitian dance competition with solo and group performances and traditional and contemporary Tahitian drumming. The event will also feature multi-cultural exhibition dancing, singing and crafts. Vendors will have an array of items from south and western Pacific islands for sale.

On Friday afternoon, August 3rd, solo dance competitors are to register and pick up their competition numbers between 4 and 6 pm.

Saturday morning, a special tribute to David Kaneholani Sr. will be presented by his family. Gates open at 9 am and solo competition begins at 10:30 am. Solo categories are Ote'a vahine and tane, for junior, senior and master (age 40+) divisions. Group categories include ‘Ote'a, Aparima, Ahuroa, and traditional Tahitian drumming. Group dancing will be on Sunday, August 5th. Sunday will end with solo, group and drumming award presentations.

Festival participants can enjoy a weekend of great Tahitian entertainment, browse through an array of Polynesian arts and crafts, observe and participate in creating Polynesian crafts, savor delicious local foods and win super prizes in the ticket raffle!

Admission is $5 a day at the door. Children age 6 and under are free.

To avoid traffic through Kapaa town, attendees are advised to park at the Kapaa Ball Park near the Armory and walk a short way to the Beach Park.

For more information call 808.822.9447.

Heiva I Kauai set to feature Hawaii Tahitian groups

Heiva I Kauai will take place this Saturday and Sunday at the Kapa'a Beach Park. Gates to the heiva open at 9 am and competition for the Tahitian dance will start at 10 am on both Saturday and Sunday. Events will be interspersed with performances from guest artists including Teva Nui of Huahine, Poa Here of Hilo, Tamarii A Hiwa of Laie, O‘ahu, and Tamatea Nui of Lanai.

Competition events include solo for Ote‘a vahine and tane for junior, senior and master divisions. Group competition categories include Ote‘a, Aparima, Ahuroa and drumming in both traditional and contemporary styles.

Admission to the heiva is $5 and patrons are able to enjoy the competition, exhibitions as well as shop in the craft area that will feature Kaua‘i crafts and vendors as well as a variety of items from south and western Pacific Islands.

In addition to the dance competition and exhibitions, special workshops on Tahitian drumming and dance will be available from 5 pm to 7 pm on Saturday, and 9 am to 11 am on Sunday.

The Kauai Garden Island News has more information about what makes this year so special. A touching dedication to a man who supported and nurtured the six year old event. Find out who this special person was.