La‘ie, HI - August 9, 2008 – It may be winter in Aotearoa (New Zealand), but the warm Hawaiian sun was welcoming today at the Polynesian Cultural Center's (PCC) Ninth Annual Te Manahua Māori Cultural Competition. Māori groups from across the state and world came together to share the songs and dances of their ancestors at the PCC's Pacific Theater. The sun shined especially bright for Na Mamo O Haloa of Hanapepe, Kaua‘i who was named the overall winner of the competition.
"The raw emotion of the performers leaves a lasting impression on everyone who attends, and when you look around you can see tears in their eyes," said Rahira Makekau, organizer of the festival. "This festival is about the wairua, or spirit of the Maori culture and when these groups perform, you can see the intensity on their faces and hear it in their voices. It is especially moving to witness groups from around the world coming together to celebrate, share and perpetuate the Maori heritage."
More than 100 local and international competitors commanded attention with their vivacious and moving chants and dances. In the spirit of sharing and camaraderie, audience members and local Maori groups congratulated visiting groups – Ngati Ranana from London, England, and Te Rerearangi from Sydney, Australia – with haka following their performances.
Beginning last year, this whakataetae (competition) alternates between youth and adult competitions – with the adults taking the stage this year. Groups were judged on the creativity of its kakahu (attire), and the demeanor of its manukura wahine (female leaders) and manukura tane (male leaders). Each group was also judged on its whakaeke (entrance), moteatea (traditional chanting), waiata-a-ringa (action songs), waiata hou (original song compositions), poi (graceful implement twirling dance), haka (male posture dance) and its whakawatea (exit). (see results listed below)
Sponsors of this year's competition include the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, City and County of Honolulu, Business & Leisure Travel, Bank of Hawai‘i and Pepsi.
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. For more information or reservations, visit www.Polynesia.com.
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9th Annual Te Manahua Maori Cultural Competition Results
Participating Groups
- Te Rerearangi – Sydney, Australia
- Te Rangatahi – Kapolei, Hawai‘i
- Na Mamo O Haloa - Kaua‘i
- Ngati Ranana – London, England
- Te Hokioi – La‘ie, Hawai‘i
Overall Winners
- 1. Na Mamo O Hāloa- Hanapepe, Kaua‘i
- 2. Te Hokioi – La‘ie, Hawai‘i
- 3. Ngati Ranana – London, England
Non-Aggregate Category
- Kakahu (costume) - Na Mamo O Haloa
- Te Reo (language/expression) - Te Hokioi
- Manukura Wahine (female leader) - Na Mamo O Haloa
- Manukura Tane (male leader) - Te Hokioi
Aggregate Category Results
Whakaeke (entrance)
- 1. Na Mamo O Haloa
- 2. Te Hokioi
- 3. Ngati Ranana
Moteatea (chant)
- 1. Te Hokioi
- 2. Na Mamo O Haloa
- 3. Ngati Ranana
Waiata Ringa (action song)
- 1. Na Mamo O Haloa
- 2. Te Hokioi
- 3. Te Rerearangi
Poi
- 1. Na Mamo O Haloa
- 2. Te Hokioi
- 3. Ngati Ranana
Haka
- 1. Te Hokioi
- 2. Ngati Ranana
- 3. Na Mamo O Haloa
Whakawatea (exit)
- 1. Na Mamo O Haloa
- 2. Te Hokioi
- 3. Ngati Ranana
