5TH ANNUAL TE MAHANA HIRO 'A O TAHITI DANCES INTO POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER IN JULY
Tahitian Culture Highlights Annual Competition for Kids
LA‘IE, HI: Each year a traditional heiva is held in Papeete, Tahiti to celebrate the culture and traditions of dance and drumming. In honor of this celebration, the Polynesian Cultural Center is holding its fifth annual Tahitian Cultural Celebration from July 15-16.
“Te Mahana Hiro‘a O Tahiti”, will feature a two-day celebration of Tahitian culture including competitions in dance and drumming. The schedule of events starts at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 15 in PCC’s Hale Aloha with the solo dance competition. On Saturday, July 16, the contest starts again at 9:00 a.m. in the PCC’s Pacific Theater. Then, solo finalists will vie for the top title, and groups will take the stage to compete in the group o‘te‘a, group aparima and drumming competitions.
“We started the event as a way to help preserve these aspects of Tahitian culture and heritage through the tamari‘i, or children,” said Raymond Marieteragi, chief of the Tahitian village at the PCC. “This really gives the children’s pupu ra‘atira ori Tahiti, or Tahitian dance instructors, an opportunity to highlight their young students as they compete and display their skills in the exciting art of ‘Ori Tahiti’ or Tahitian dance.”
Tahitian groups from around the island are registered to participate in this year’s competition, including:
- Oriata, Kahuku – Ra‘atira (leader) Maeva Anderson
- Manutahi, Wahiawa – Ra‘atira (leader) Pola Teriipaia
- Tava Nui, Honolulu – Ra‘atira (leader) Dennis Kia
- Tamarii O Patitifa, Hauula – Ra‘atira (leader) Cathy Teriipaia
- Nonosina Hawaii, La‘ie – Ra‘atira (leader) Jon & Tiani Mariteragi
More than 100 competitors are expected to participate for this year’s title. Dancers will be judged in each category based on their skill, grace and, for the o‘te‘a, speed. The o‘te‘a is the best-known Tahitian style of dance because of the fast, rhythmic movements and swishing skirts. The aparima, literally translated as “kiss of the hands,” is a slower dance that uses the hands to tell a story.
“The unique tropical setting of the Polynesian Cultural Center provides a beautiful backdrop,” added Mariteragi. “What better place to hold this unique event than in the natural tropical setting of the magnificent indoor arena stage of the Pacific Theatre, located right here at the PCC?”
Admission to each day’s events is $8.00 per adult, $5.00 for children ages 5-11. Kids under 5 get in free. Special upgrade packages are available for those guests who want to stay and enjoy the rest of the day at the PCC, including a buffet dinner and the spectacular Horizons night show. Kama‘aina annual pass holders get in free with reservations.
For more information or to make reservations call the Polynesian Cultural Center ticket office at (800) 367-7060, email internetrez@polynesia.com, or visit the PCC web site at www.Polynesia.com. Within Hawai‘i, call (808) 293-3333.
Founded in 1963 as a non-profit organization, the PCC has entertained more than 29 million visitors by preserving and portraying the spirit, culture and people of Polynesia to the rest of the world. More important is the mission of the PCC, which supports the educational mission of Brigham Young University-Hawai‘i and provides an extension of the classroom in a workplace setting. Since its establishment, the PCC has employed more than 12,000 BYU-Hawai‘i students. As a non-profit organization, 100 percent of the PCC’s revenue is used for daily operations and to support the students who earn their tuition, room and board, and books. The PCC also provides significant financial support to elementary and secondary schools and to college students attending institutions of their choice besides BYU-Hawai‘i.
