Heiva i Honolulu crowns Grand Champions

Vahine of Maohi Nui

If you made it to the Waikiki Shell last weekend, you were in good company. Over 2,000 onlookers as well as Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle, and the reigning Mrs. America Lara Fonoimoana, dropped by to experience the pageantry, music, drumming and dancing of performers from over 35 Tahitian dance groups at this years Heiva i Honolulu. You no doubt were able to see a weekend full of award winning Tahitian dance performances highlighted by the Grand Champion crowning. In fact, two Grand Champions were crowned, Heretama Nui (Pearl City, Hawaii), who was defending their Hura Tau Overall Ote'a title, and Tamatoa (Kaneohe, Hawaii) with the Hura Ava Tau Overall Ote'a award.

It was a weekend full of colorful and extravagant costumes, original Aparima music, and dance themes ranging from Hawaiian legends (Pele, Pu'uloa) to traditional Tahitian themes based on the tiare flower, the beauty of vahine (woman), love and light, monoi and the warmth of a new day took the stage with dance groups and soloists.

Solo competition took place on Thursday, the first day of the competition. Dancers were divided up into vahine and tane age categories. Over 150 soloists took the stage and gave their all demonstrating their skills, endurance, costumes and charisma to the audience and judges. Awards were announced and the 1st place dancers of each category moved on to compete in the Overall award that was decided on Saturday. The overall vahine, Agnes Manuma (27-35 Vahine) of Maohi Nui was awarded a $2,000 Tahitian black pearl necklace and bracelet. The overall tane award went to Shane Galicia of Tiare Ura O Tahiti.

Friday was the start of group competition. Hura Ava Tau groups, which are the groups that are newer and have had less competition experience, took the stage with Tamatoa, the eventual Hura Ava Tau Grand Champion, starting off with their Ahupurotu presentation.

Hura Tau groups performed Saturday with competition in several categories including Vahine Ahupurotu (a more formal and graceful dance done in long traditional dresses), drumming (demonstrating proficiency in all traditional beats after which a creative section follows), and Overall Ote'a (which includes an Aparima, Paoa, and Ote'a). The Overall Ote'a presentation for groups had a maximum 30 minutes to tell their story with song, dance and drumming.

Heiva i Honolulu 2012 celebrated their 10th anniversary this year - Ahuru ra'a o te Matahiti
Participating groups in the Hura Tau division included Heretama Nui (Jimmy Ramento, Christopher Ramento) of Pearl City, Maohi Nui (Mervyn Lilo) of Aiea, Ia Ora O Tahiti Nui (Kevin & Aulii Kama) of Honolulu, and Te Iriatai Ora (Keali'i Bush) also of Honolulu. Tamatoa (Tino Moe) of Kaneohe, Puahinano (Pualani Horiuchi) of Okinawa, Japan, Te Hei Ura (Kapua Hau'oli, PuaUra Nishida) of Osaka, Japan, Te Mahana O Te Ra (Ku'uleinani Hashimoto) Tahiti Mana (Manari'i Gauthier) of Honolulu all competed in the Hura Ava Tau division.

Without further ado, here are the results. For additional information, feel free to visit the event website - Tahiti Nui International.

Heiva I Honolulu 2012 Group Award Results

OVERALL Tane ~ Shane Galicia / Tiare Ura O Tahiti
OVERALL Vahine ~ Agnes Manuma / Maohi Nui

HURA AVA TAU DIVISION (Junior)


Vahine Ahupurotu


1st Place      Te Mahana O Te Ra
2nd Place    Te Hei Ura
3rd Place     Tahiti Mana

Tupuna Ahupurotu

1st Place     Te Mahana O Te Ra
2nd Place    Te Hei Ura

Aparima

1st Place     Te Mahana O Te Ra
2nd Place    Puahinano

Original Aparima

1st Place     Tamatoa
2nd Place    Te Hei Ura

Drumming

1st Place     Tamatoa
2nd Place    Te Hei Ura

Otea

1st Place     Tamatoa
2nd Place    Te Mahana O Te Ra
3rd Place     Te Hei Ura

GRAND CHAMPION 2012

Tamatoa


HURA TAU DIVISION (Senior)



Vahine Ahupurotu

1st Place      Maohi Nui
2nd Place    Heretama Nui
3rd Place     Ia Ora O Tahiti Nui

Original Aparima

1st Place     Heretama Nui
2nd Place    Maohi Nui
3rd Place     Ia Ora O Tahiti Nui

Drumming

1st Place     Heretama Nui
2nd Place    Ia Ora O Tahiti Nui
3rd Place     Maohi Nui

Otea

1st Place     Heretama Nui
2nd Place    Maohi Nui
3rd Place     Ia Ora O Tahiti Nui

Best Ra'atira ~ Heretama Nui
Best Costume ~ Heretama Nui
Best Couple ~ Heretama Nui

GRAND CHAMPION 2012

Heretama Nui

HEIVA I HONOLULU 2012 SOLO AWARD Results


TAMARI'I DIVSION

4-6 Tamahine

1st Place  Dionisia Robinson / Manutahi
2nd Place  Quynn Bonilla / Maohi Nui
3rd Place Chardonnay Kinimaka / Maohi Nui

4-6 Tamaroa

1st Place Saige Marienthal / Here Tama Nui
2nd Place Matagi Lilo / Maohi Nui
3rd Place Jamie Wond / Here Tama Nui

7-10 Tamahine

1st Place Nicole Graham / Tamatoa
2nd Place  Alana Nicely / Here Tama Nui
3rd Place Chasmine Drumeller / Manutahi
4th Place Hana Fujisaki / Tokariga Kaloke Mele Mele

7-10 Tamaroa

1st Place Jiovanni Tafisi / Maohi Nui
2nd Place Alize Kinimaka / Maohi Nui
3rd Place Kainoa-Sagon Sumaoang / Manutahi

TAURE'ARE'A DIVISION

11-13 Tamahine

1st Place Nagisa Takizawa / Tokariga Kaloke Mele Mele
2nd Place Tehani Perkins / Te Vai Ura Nui
3rd Place Cassandra Kanoho / Te Vai Ura Nui
4th Place Brooke Leslie / HereTama Nui

11-13 Tamaroa

1st Place Kailana Savonitman / Tamatea Nui O Kauai

14-17 Tamahine

1st Place Naomi Baldomero / Te Vai Ura Nui
2nd Place Kayli Taniguchi / Here Tama Nui
3rd Place Sammy McClymonds / Hitia O Te Ra

14-17 Tamaroa

1st Place Zacchaeus Uta / Te Vai Ura Nui
2nd Place Tamatoa Uta / Te Vai Ura Nui

VAHINE & TANE DIVISION

18-21 Vahine

1st Place Poerava Goo / Tahiti toa
2nd Place Chelsea Clement / Maohi Nui
3rd Place Charzelle Fuller-McAngus / Maohi Nui

18-21 Tane

1st Place Okuto Horiuchi / Puahinano
2nd Place Keanu-Neil Mesiona / Manutahi
3rd Place Tripler Fiapai / Maeva I Patitifa

22-26 Vahine

1st Place Pua Baker / Maohi Nui
2nd Place Ayumi Asano / Tokariga Kaloke Mele Mele
3rd Place Shantee Hookano / Te Iriatai Ora

22-26 Tane

1st Place Shane Galicia / Tiare Ura O Tahiti
2nd Place Peter Flores / Tahiti Toa
3rd Place Takafumi "Teva" Gima / Puahinano

27-35 Vahine

1st Place Agnes Manuma / Maohi Nui
2nd Place Maki Ito / Hei Tiare Tahiti
3rd Place Ronelle Dement / Te Iriatai Ora
4th Place Nihaniya Sam Fong / Te Iriatai Ora

27-35 Tane

1st Place  Manarii Gauthier / Tahiti Mana
2nd Place Julian Maeva / Maeva I Patitifa
3rd Place Daniel Sherman / Te Vai Ura Nui

36-45 Vahine

1st Place Belinda Miranda / Manutahi
2nd Place Analyn Koeger / Maeva I Patitifa
3rd Place Kozue Oumuma / Hei Tiare Tahiti

36-45 Tane

1st Place Lawakua Gabriel / Manutahi

46 and more Vahine

1st Place Hei Tiare Komatsu / Hei Tiare Tahiti
2nd Place Pualani Horiuchi / Puahinano
3rd Place Chizuko Seta / Te Mahana O Te Ra

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