SOLOISTS HIGHLIGHT FIFTH ANNUAL TE MAHANA HIRO‘A O TAHITI FESTIVAL AT THE POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER
July 16, 2005 La‘ie, HI – Tahitian culture took over the Polynesian Cultural Center this weekend with the 5th Annual Te Mahana Hiro‘a O Tahiti Festival. More than 75 keiki ages 1-18 took part in the festival that highlights the dances and culture of Tahiti.
More than six Tahitian dance groups were represented by the best and brightest keiki dancers in the two-day solo competition. Friday night kicked off with all of the competitors vying for a spot in the finals, which took place today in the PCC’s Hale Ku‘ai. An exhibition by several one and two-year old dancers was the highlight of both days of competition.
Other Tahitian cultural activities, including dance workshops, were held throughout the week in the PCC’s Tahitian Village to highlight the beauty and excitement of the islands for guests.
Nonosina Hawaii, the current reigning group champion from La‘ie, was well represented as four of its members swept top overall honors and many others took top three spots in their respective age categories. Lucie Wilson won the overall vahine, or female, solo dance award in the senior group as well as top honors in the 16 to 18-year-old solo dance category. Toa Leiataua won for the second year in a row for the overall senior tane, or male, solo dance competition and the 16 to 18-year-old solo dance category. Lucie’s little sister Kiana Wilson won the overall junior female solo dance award, as well as the 9 to 11-year-old solo dance category. Kameron Ho Ching took the top honors for the junior male solo dance category, and the 9 to 11-year-old solo dance category. (See list of winners below.)
"We’re so proud of our students,” said John and Tiani Mariteragi, ra‘atira (leaders) for Nonosina Hawaii. "They have worked so hard and it really shows. All of the dancers were great this year.”
The Tamari‘i, or junior division, included competitors in categories spanning 3-4 year olds to 9-11 year olds. The Taure‘are‘a, or senior division, featured competitors ranging in ages from 12 to 18.
The competition was based on the ote‘a, which is the best-known Tahitian style of dance because of the fast, rhythmic movements and swishing Hau skirts. Dancers were judged in each category based on their costumes, technical execution, precision, timing, transitions, creativity and originality, energy and stamina.
"We’re proud to host Te Mahana Hiro‘a O Tahiti again this year to help preserve these aspects of Tahitian culture and heritage through the tamari‘i, or children,” said Raymond Mariteragi, director of cultural presentations for the Tahitian village at the PCC. “Since we started this competition, we’ve seen a lot more interest in hosting Tahiti fêtes and starting dance groups in Hawai‘i. We encourage everyone to join in and learn.”
Founded in 1963 as a non-profit organization, the PCC has entertained more than 31 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 14,000 young people from more than 70 different countries while they have attended Brigham Young University-Hawai‘i. As a non-profit organization, all funds generated by the PCC are used for its daily operations and to support its cultural and educational missions.
