Judges: 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

Judging Criteria

The organizing committee, led by Raymond Mariteragi, is committed to providing the best and fair criteria available for judging. The selection of judges is a critical and essential part of the competition and is taken into very careful consideration.

A. GROUPS
Rules and regulations for group performance in the "TAMARII DIVISION" (ages 3 - 11 yrs old), and in the "TAURE'A'RE'A DIVISION"(ages 12 - 18 yrs old).

GROUP OTE'A:
1. Time Limit: Twenty (20) minutes maximum with no minimum time requirement.
2. Penalty: One (1) point deduction for each minute over 20 minutes.
3. Ote'a presentation must include: Ote'a amui with an Aparima.
4. Pa'o'a and/or Hivinau are encouraged, but not required. A maximum of 5 points will be awarded for each of these segments if performed.
5. Participants are required to observe the costume standards as outlined in Section D of this document.
6. A Group leader or Ra'atira may enter 1 group only in each division.
7. A combined group of Tamarii & Taure'are'a, ages 3 -18 yrs old, may compete ONLY in the Taure'are'a Division.
8. There is a minimum of 8 dancers required for the group ote'a. (It can be any combination of girls or boys)
9. Three (3) bonus points will be awarded each group who registers and submits a written outline of their ote'a presentation, post dated or faxed no later than June 30, 2006. Fax number is 293-3106.

GROUP APARIMA or AHUPUROTU:
1. Groups may perform either an aparima or ahupurotu. It will be judged as one category.
2. Time limit: Eight (8) minutes maximum with no minimum time requirement.
3. Penalty: One (1) point deduction for each minute over 8 minutes.
4. Ahupurotu participants must wear a one-piece ankle-length dress. Costumes must adhere to the dress standards outlined in Section D of this document.
5. There is a minimum of 8 dancers required for the group Ahupurotu/Aparima.

B. SOLOS
Rules and regulations for individual or "Solo" performance in the TAMAROA (male) and TAMAHINE (female) categories.

DIVISIONS AND AGE GROUPS:
Tamarii Division - tamaroa & tamahine categories:
Ages 3-4 yrs, 5–6 yrs, 7–8 yrs, 9–11 yrs

Taure'are'a Division - tamaroa & tamahine categories:
Ages 12–13 yrs, 14–15 yrs, 16–18 yrs

Note: Children up to 2 yrs old may participate for exhibition only with no registration cost. However, they still need to be registered by July 11, 2006 to perform.

1. Soloists must compete in their correct age group. If necessary, proof of age may be required. Violators will be subject to disqualification.
2. All solo participants are required to register and pick-up their competition tag number at the registration desk on Friday July 14 between 4:30 – 6:00 pm in the lobby of the PCC front entrance.
3. Each girl or tamahine is required to wear a pareu with no band over the pareu. However, the type or style of pareu will be at the soloists discretion. Styles must meet the dress or costume standards set in Section D.
4. More skirts must be ankle length and plain, or no decorations on the band.
5. Each boy or tamaroa is required to wear a pareu tihere style or maro. Maros must adhere to the dress or costume standards set in Section D.
6. Males will not be allowed to compete in any female categories.
7. House drummers will be provided for all Ori solo participants. Dancing will be impromptu. (Refer to Judges score sheet for guidelines).
8. Time limit: 1.5 (one-and-a-half) minutes according to drum beats.
9. Each Pupu Ori or group may enter as many soloists as they wish.

C. PROCESS OF ELIMINATION
1. This is a SINGLE ELIMINATION solo competition. Only those who are selected from the first round will move on to the 2nd round, etc.
2. The process of elimination will be done in groups of 5 maximum dancers at a time.
3. If there are 5 or less soloists registered for any one age group category, they will automatically advance to the semi-final round.
4. After the first round, for any age group that has a maximum of four remaining contestants, all will automatically qualify in the semi-final round.
5. The 3 winners from the semi-final round of each age group will advance to the finals and compete for 1st , 2nd, and 3rd place on Saturday.
6. Only the 1st place winners of each category ages 3 – 11 will qualify to compete for the Overall female winner and Overall male winner awards in the Tamarii Division on Saturday July 15.
7. Only the 1st place winners of each category ages 12 – 18 will qualify to compete for the Overall female winner and the Overall male winner awards in the Taure'are'a Division on Saturday July 15.

D. DRESS AND COSTUME RULES OR STANDARDS
1. All female competitors 9 yrs old and up must wear a costume that covers the midriff (stomach area) section of the body, whether in a more or pareu costume.
2. Pareus should be worn modestly to avoid embarrassing exposure while dancing. i.e. pareus should not open on the side to reveal the upper leg area, pareus should be worn long enough to avoid exposing the upper leg or panty areas while dancing.
3. All male contestants 9 yrs old and up who wear a maro in a group or solo performance, must also wear an undershort that reaches mid-thigh of the participant.
4. If any of the above rules are violated, the individuals or groups will be disqualified.

E. GENERAL RULES AND GUIDELINES
1. Pre-registration by mail is highly recommended.
2. Registration must include payment for the entrance fee to confirm participation. Money order or cashier's check payable to PCC Tahitian Dance Competition will be accepted. Credit card payment will also be accepted. No personal checks will be accepted.
3. This competition is open to Pupu Ori (Halau), Dance Companies, Cultural Organizations, Studios and independent dancers.
4. Costumes will be judged as part of overall presentation. All groups and soloists are encouraged to use natural materials for costumes, no plastic or artificial flowers allowed.
5. If a group uses a CD instead of live musicians/drummers, zero (0) points will be given in the "music" section of the judge's score sheet.
6. Solo participants are strongly encouraged to keep head pieces and necklaces to a minimum, to allow better visibility by the judges of the actual dance performance.

2008 judges

		Chief judge Hatota Tehiva , a former PCC Tahitian dancer judging here for the first time. Originally from Hikueru, Tuamotus, Tehiva married a Hawaiian woman and now lives in Hana, Maui, where he regularly teaches at the high school but is also involved in teaching Tahitian dance as well as survival techniques.
		Hutia Tekurio Kaanapu, also a former Polynesian Cultural Center Tahitian dancer originally from Takaroa, Tuamotus, returned to her alma mater for the first time as a judge this year, although she has judged other competitions. Kaanapu has taught Polynesian dancing professionally in Florida, Ohio, Hawaii and Utah.
		Jeanne Mou'a Larsen has helped judge the PCC's Te Mahana Hiro'a o Tahiti competition for a number of years. She also regularly judges the Heiva i Honolulu and the San Jose Tahiti Fête. Larsen is the niece of the "legendary Madeleine Mou'a" who was responsible for reviving the traditional dances of Tahiti. She has traveled all over the world as a representative of Tahitian culture, and in 1988 won the prestigious Mrs. Tahiti title in the Mrs. Woman of the World pageant. She has also served as a board member of the French Alliance in Hawaii.

2007 judges

Four judges, who have all previously helped evaluate the Polynesian Cultural Center Children's Tahitian Dance Competition, worked especially hard this year ranking 177 solo entrants and 11 group performances. They are:

Jeanne Mou'a Larsen, also a judge from 2005-2007: Her description is listed under the 2008 judges.

		Chief judge Moanaura Teheiura: a teacher of French, English and Tahitian in the Technical School of Faaa, Tahiti. He is the Choreographer of the premier dancing group "O Tahiti E." Teheiura has been dancing professionally for more than 25 years for Heiva award-winning ote'a groups such as Heikuranui and O Tahitii E, During those times he also traveled throughout the world sharing Tahitian culture. Moanarua has an extensive background in judging, including all events held at the Conservatoire in Papeete, and helped establish the rules and judged the Heiva in Tahiti.

		Roiti Tahauri Sylva, born in Tuamotu island of Takaroa, danced for the legendary Madeleine Mou'a, among other notable Tahitian dance instructors in Tahiti. She came to Hawaii in 1959 before statehood and was a featured Tahitian dancer in Waikiki. Her experience also includes choreography and dancing in Hawaii under the direction of Teri'i Rua and Tavana. She has taught and danced in Japan, runs a competition in Florida called Heiva i Orlando, and has judged many other festivals throughout the United States. Sylva also teaches Tahitian language at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

		Etua Tahauri, who is a judge at almost all the Tahitian dance competitions in the United States, was born and raised in Tahiti, attended high school at Liahona in Tonga, graduated in art from BYU-Hawaii and is a former student dancer at the Polynesian Cultural Center. He is well known as a master carver who specializes in making Hawaiian and Tahitian drums, and is a regular sponsor of the Merry Monarch, Keiki Hula and other PCC dance competitions. Tahauri also serves as Chairman of the Board of Tahiti Nui International.

2006 judges

The three judges for the PCC's sixth annual Te Mahana Hiro'a o Tahiti children's competition, who each have decades of experience, were all invited to judge again in 2007. See their biographical information above under 2007 judges.

2005 judges

A panel of five judges ranked the competition in the PCC's fifth annual children's Tahitian dance competition, including:

Jeanne Mou'a Larsen, also a judge from 2005-2007: Her description is listed under the 2008 judges.

Etua Tahauri, who was also a judge in 2006 and 2007. See his bio info under the 2007 judges.

		Karl Brillant was born in New Caledonia and raised in Paea, Tahiti, where he now teaches traditional dance to boys and girls ages 5-18. Brillant started his own dance career under the direction of the premier ra'atira pupu Coco Hotahota in 1992. He also danced with the group Toa Reva, eventually becoming their choreographer, and has traveled the world sharing Tahitian culture. Brillant is married to the Tahitian recording star, Sabrina.

		Iona 'Papi' Teriipaia — who is originally from Bora Bora and raised in Taha'a and Ra'iatea by his adoptive father, the late, revered Tahitian culture authority Manutahi Ma'o — came to Hawaii in 1969 on a Latter-day Saint mission to serve as chief of the Polynesian Cultural Center's Tahitian village. He is a skilled carver, musician, drummer, dance teacher, choreographer and competition judge. He has been a cultural specialist with Tihati Productions since 1973 and is also currently Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tahiti Nui International, an organization that he and three others helped to establish.
		Mahana Mo'o Pulotu, who was born on Hikueru atoll in the Tuamotus of French Polynesia, first came to Hawaii in 1961 to attend Church College of Hawaii (which became BYU-Hawaii in 1974). She became one of the original dancers when the Polynesian Cultural Center opened in 1963 and is currently assistant manager of the PCC's Tahitian village. In addition to the PCC competition, Pulotu — who is married to master carver and "living treasure" Tui'one Pulotu — has judged competitions in Honolulu, Kauai and California.