Tahitian Dance Competition Showcases Tamari‘i (Youth)
La‘ie, HI - June 16, 2008 – The fast rhythmic beating of the to‘ere (Tahitian drums) sounds as the swishing of the hau skirt captivates at the eighth annual Te Mahana Hiro‘a O Tahiti Festival held at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Saturday, July 5. This upbeat competition of ‘ori Tahiti (Tahitian dance) continues the Polynesian Cultural Center's 45th anniversary celebration. The festivities take place beginning at 9 a.m., as competitors as young as three years old grace the stage in colorful traditional costumes accompanied by the mesmerizing beat of the drum.
Te Mahana Hiro‘a O Tahiti was created in honor of the yearly heiva nui (celebration) held in Papeete, Tahiti, to celebrate the culture and traditions of dance and drumming. Polynesian Cultural Center's competition differs in that it is only open to tamari‘i, helping to perpetuate the love for the Tahitian culture in the youth with dancers ranging in age from three to 18 years. Dancers from across the state and the nation practice vigorously for this solo competition and anticipate the culmination of this lively festival to showcase their impressive skills.
"The camaraderie between the tamari‘i at our festival is truly something to celebrate," said Raymond Mariteragi, Tahitian cultural specialist at PCC and coordinator of Te Mahana Hiro‘a O Tahiti. "It is especially important that our younger generations are able to participate and continue the legacy of dance, which is an important part of Tahitian culture."
Over the course of the event, more than 100 dancers are expected to grace the Pacific Theater stage. As the final beat of the to‘ere sounds, one male and one female champion will be crowned in both the junior division (3 to 11 years) and senior division (12 to 18 years).
This annual festival is sponsored in part by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and the City and County of Honolulu. Adult admission to Te Mahana Hiro‘a O Tahiti is $8 and $6 for keiki ages three to 11. Kama‘aina Annual Pass holders and keiki under 3 enter for free. For more information, call the Polynesian Cultural Center's ticket office at (800) 367-7060 or visit the PCC website at www.polynesia.com. In Hawai‘i, call (808) 293-3333.
Founded in 1963 as a non-profit organization, the PCC has entertained more the 33 million visitors, while preserving and portraying the culture, arts, and crafts of Polynesia to the rest of the world. In addition, the PCC has provided financial assistance to 17,000 young people from over 70 different countries while they attend Brigham Young University-Hawai‘i. As a non-profit organization, 100 percent of PCC's revenue is used for daily operations and to support education.
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