TAHITIAN DRUMBEATS WILL SHAKE UP THE SHELL FROM MARCH 8 –11
Tahiti Nui International Presents Its 4th Annual Heiva I Honolulu
Honolulu – Tahiti Nui International (TNI) will transform the Waikiki Shell into a Tahitian cultural paradise from March 8 – 11 for its 4th Annual Heiva I Honolulu. This year’s dance competition welcomes an exclusive performance by Tahiti’s premier group, O Tahiti E, last year’s grand champions, who will also be conducting a special dance workshop open to the public.
“We are thrilled to offer a special performance, An Enchanted Evening Under the Waikiki Stars with O Tahiti E, during this year’s Heiva I Honolulu” said Rose Perreira, V.P. of Marketing and Promotions for Tahiti Nui International. “We expect more than a thousand people from around Hawaii, California, Canada and Japan to attendand share the Tahitian culture in a fun and energizing way, through music, dance, crafts and activities.”
The festivities will kick off on Wednesday, Mar. 8 and continue through Saturday, Mar. 11 as 27 groups compete for the best solo and group performances in the ote‘a, aparima, ahupurotu dances anddrumming (Schedule below).
The ote‘a is the most popularly known Tahitian style of dance with its fast, rhythmic movements and swishing skirts. The aparima, which translates to “kiss of the hands,” is a slower dance that uses the hands to tell a story.
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Contestants will be judged in each category based on their skill, grace and, for the ote‘a, speed. The winners will be awarded over $24,000 in cash and prizes.
The public will also get a chance to get up on stage and participate in an ori (dance) workshop Wednesday night from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., which will be conducted by O Tahiti E’s ra‘atira (dance group leader), Marguerite Lai. Pre-registration for the workshop is $40.00 or $50.00 at the door.
For those interested in the colorful Tahitian culture besides dance, Heiva I Honolulu will also offer a Polynesian craft fair, weaving exercises, games and other Tahitian activities and demonstrations from March 9 – 11 from 1 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. each day.
Daily general admission to Heiva I Honolulu is $15 for adults (11 years and older) and $10 for children (4 – 10 years old). VIP seating is available for Friday’s competition and special performance, and will be $18 for adults and $15 for children. Tickets are available at the Blaisdell box office from March 1 and will also be available one hour prior to each day’s festivities at the Waikiki Shell box office.
For more information about Heiva I Honolulu 2005, please visit TNI’s website or contact Rose Perreira at (808) 732-7342 or via email at misstahiti@hawaii.rr.com.
Heiva I Honolulu 2005 is sponsored by the Polynesian Cultural Center, Tihati Productions, Hawaiian Airlines, B & B Tahitian Black Pearls, Hula Supply Center ResortQuestWaikiki Hotel, Minister of the Traditional Arts & Crafts and OPT Post Offices & Telecommunications.
Tahiti Nui International is a cultural organization founded for the purposes of preserving, promoting and sharing the cultures, arts and crafts of the five groups of islands that make up French Polynesia, commonly known as Tahiti.
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(Program Schedule attached)
4th Annual Heiva I Honolulu
Program Schedule
Wednesday, March 8
9:00 a.m. Gates open to the public
10:00 a.m. First round of solo competition (18 - 36+ year olds)
12:30 p.m. Break
3:30 p.m. First round of solo competition (2 – 18 year olds)
7:30 p.m. Dance workshops with Marguerite Lai
Thursday, March 9
9:00 a.m. Gates open to the public
10:00 a.m. Second round of solo competition (18 - 36+ year olds)
1:00 p.m. Cultural activities, special exhibits & demonstrations
3:00 p.m. Second round of solo competition (2 – 18 year olds)
6:30 p.m. Group competition
Friday, March 10*
9:00 a.m. Gates open to the public
10:00 a.m. Solo finalists competition (all age groups)
1:00 p.m. Cultural activities, special exhibits & demonstrations
3:00 p.m. Solo overall finalists competition
5:00 p.m. Group competition
7:30 p.m. *Special performance by O Tahiti E
Saturday, March 11
9:00 a.m. Gates open to the public
10:30 a.m. Group competition
1:00 p.m. Cultural activities, special exhibits & demonstrations
3:00 p.m. Group competition
8:15 p.m. Awards ceremony
