The Polynesian Cultural Center hosted their annual tamari'i dance competition, Te Mahana Hiroa O Tahiti this past weekend in Laie, Hawaii. Approximately 100 soloist dancers 18 years and younger competed in the solo event. Tamari'i (children) groups from Laie and Honolulu competed in aparima/ahuroa and otea events.Overall soloist awards went to Amaya Joy Panajon of Pupu O Te Iti Ra and Nonosina Hawaii's Jordan Mariteragi took the top honors for the overall male dancer.
Additional reporting at the Honolulu Advertiser
Preliminary results are posted below:
Group Competition
Tamari'i Aparima/Ahupurotu
Age 3-11
1. Te Hamata
Age 12-18
1. Nonosina Hawaii
2. Te Hamata
Tamari'i Otea
Age 12-18
1. Nonosina Hawaii
2. Te Hamata
3. Marania Haoragi
Solo Competition
Overall Soloists
Vahine
Amaya Joy Panajon of Pupu O Te Iti Ra
Tane
Jordan Mariteragi of Nonosina Hawaii
Age 3-4 Tane
1. Shaun Niu of Te Hamata
Age 5-6 Vahine
1. Jazzylyn Samuseva of Marania Haoragi
2. Hiriei Toilolo of Te Hamata
3. Azeriah Coleman of Marania Haoragi
Age 5-6 Tane
1. Jason Mariteragi of Nonosina Hawaii
2. Ifalemi Lauaki of Nonosina Hawaii
Age 7-8 Vahine
1. Amaya Joy Panajon of Pupu O Te Iti Ra
2. Brielle Leiataua of Nonosina Hawaii
3. Teeya Lei of Nonosina Hawaii
Age 7-8 Tane
1. Teahu Mariteragi of Nonosina Hawaii
2. Mykle Keni of Nonosina Hawaii
3. Micah Mariteragi of Nonosina Hawaii
Age 9-11 Vahine
1. Chloe Pojas of Manutahi Tahiti
2. Kelene Tapusoa of Te Hamata
3. Shelby Tominaga of Marania Haoragi
Age 9-11 Tane
1. Jordan Mariteragi of Nonosina Hawaii
2. Teancum Kaitoku of Nonosina Hawaii
3. Ethan Magalei of Nonosina Hawaii
Age 12-13 Taure'are'a Vahine
1. Macy Panajon of Pupu O Te Iti Ra
2. Tylo Thompson of Nonosina Hawai'i
3. Sara Liva of Pupu Ote Iti Ra
Age 14-15 Taure'are'a Vahine
1. Jazmine Emerson of Nonosina Hawai'i
2. Shanelle Ramelb of Pupu O Te Iti Ra
3. Ciera Dutro of Pupu O Te Iti Ra
Age 16-18 Taure'are'a Vahine
1. Chelsea Clement of Te E'a O Te Turama
2. Kawahineha'aheo Oliver of Urahutia Productions
3. Kalei Onzuka of Maohi Nui
