I am so grateful to have made time in my schedule to attend Maohi Nui's Tahiti Fete Fundraiser last night, March 21, at Aloha Tower Marketplace. Upon arrival at 7:30pm, Kapena was on stage gathering the crowd in preparation for Maohi Nui's group performance. Hosting the evening's line up was none other than, Mental Mele. The event I missed was a performance by the new group Ia Ora O Tahiti Nui. With slightly fewer dancers, they performed this year's Overall Otea from Heiva I Honolulu where they took First Place in the Senior Overall Otea category. Also on stage with Maohi Nui was Heiva I Honolulu's Overall Male Soloist, Keawe McArthur!

Mehetia Productions, a participant group at Heiva I Honolulu is offering a Tahitian Dance Boot Camp.  There is an invitation to all who are interested of all levels of tahitian dance.

For anyone who participated or watched the 2009 Heiva i Honolulu, you were kept aware of the happenings by Master of Ceremony Johann Hironui Bouit. A broadcast journalist by trade, Johann is the anchor for Tahiti Nui Television and an audio-visual producer/director for television, documentary films and commercial projects. He has been involved in over a dozen cultural television productions involving Ori Tahiti.

Johann held the program together with fun and interesting information as well as a preview of his own dancing skills. Not only was he acting as MC, he also was preparing a project for his Pacific Network operation. He has produced a new "Heiva i Honolulu" channel on his website filled with highlights and other videos of Tahitian dance and areas that relate to all the work that goes into dancing and putting the extravagant pageantry and presentations together. Check it out and keep watch for future developments in this great voice for the Tahitian dance community.

Letter from Heikapua Sabarsah (Ra'atira pupu of Tiare Heipua)

Maururu nui roa to Tahiti Nui International board members. My name is Heikapua Sabarsah (Ra'atira pupu of Tiare Heipua). We just got back to Japan last night and are still excited. This great experience will remain with each one of us forever and we will make more effort to learn Tahitian culture.

Next year, we'd like to come back with greater numbers including keiki. I hope you could consider having a keiki division in the future so that I can encourage them much more.

Again, thank you for your effort to make this great event come alive and let us join in a part of Tahitian Family.

Tiare Heipua is a Tahitian dance group from Ishikawa, Japan. They were awarded 1st place in each of the Junior Aparima division, Junior Ahupurotu division, Mama Ruau Ahupurotu division, and were also awarded the Junior Overall trophy. This is the second consecutive year that they have won the Junior Overall award.

With 22 Tahitian dance groups represented in the solo competition, there were guaranteed to be plenty of great performances. Last minute additions added to the competition going over time.

Heiva i Honolulu 2009 started a few minutes late but moved quickly through the first round. An exhibition round of 2-3 year olds started an afternoon and evening full of energetic dance and drumming. The second round saw at least 4 ties in several age groups and required dance offs. Results of the solo competition were announced about 9:30 pm amid an umbrella wielding loyal crowd waiting in the cold light rain.

Master of Ceremony Cathy Teriipaia announced the 1st place dancers for each age group. The 1st place dancers will be competing today (Friday) for the overall tane and vahine soloist awards.

Full results for each category will be announced on Saturday during the awards ceremony (8:30 pm). Heiva i Honolulu 2009 is taking place at the Waikiki Shell and runs from March 12-14, 2009. Admission is $15 - 11 yrs and older, $10 (4-10 yrs old) and free for 3 and under. Tickets are available at the Waikiki Shell box office, Times Supermarkets, The Blaisdell Center box office, BYU Hawaii and online at ticketmaster.com

Group competition begins today with groups from Honolulu, Keaau, Kihei, Okinawa, Nagano, Fukui, Ishikawa and Tokyo. Gates open at 2 pm and the competition begins at 4 pm.

Here are results released for the solo competition last night:

AGE 4-6 TAMAHINE
1. Ku'umanu Kupau of Maohi Nui

AGE 4-6 TAMAROA
1. Skyler Ramento of Heretama Nui

AGE 7-10 TAMAHINE
1. Denise Robinson of Manutahi Tahiti

AGE 7-10 TAMAROA
1. Troy Spacek of Manutahi Tahiti

AGE 11-13 TAURE'ARE'A TAMAHINE
1. Poerava Lee of Te 'E'a O Te Turama

AGE 11-13 TAURE'ARE'A TAMAROA
1. Zachary Isaac of Te Mana O Te Ra

AGE 14-17 TAURE'ARE'A TAMAHINE
1. Chelsea Clement of Te 'E'a O Te Turama

AGE 18-21 VAHINE
1. Kawahineha'aheo Oliver of Urahutia Productions

AGE 18-21 TANE
1. Peter Flores of Ia Ora O Tahiti Nui

AGE 22-26 VAHINE
1. Michelle Baker of Nemenzo

AGE 22-26 TANE
1. Keawe McArthur of Ma'ohi Nui

AGE 27-35 VAHINE
1. Charity Offril of Te Mana O Te Ra

AGE 27-35 TANE
1. Andre Mata'afa-Alferos of Ma'ohi Nui

AGE 36 & ABOVE VAHINE
1. Leandra Thompson of Nemenzo

AGE 36 & ABOVE TANE
1. Lawakua Gabriel of Manutahi Tahiti

If you've visited the Tahiti Nui International website lately, passed by a poster, given a flyer or seen the ads in some of the local publications, you've probably noticed that striking young woman in a Tahitian outfit equally eye catching. Who is that girl, you ask?

It's none other than local girl Savanna Alcosiba from the Tahitian dance group Here Tama Nui. When notified that she was going to be adorning all the Heiva i Honolulu marketing materials this year, she was ecstatic to say the least. At only 15, she embodies many of the qualities of a dedicated dancer.

Here's the complete schedule for the 2009 Heiva i Honolulu. Please note that this the final draft. However, changes may occur that may require minor adjustments. But it looks to be an exciting event. With 10 dance groups and over 150 soloists, the event is shaping up to be a very busy weekend.

The 2009 Heiva i Honolulu will take place March 12-14, 2009 at the Waikiki Shell. Tickets are available online at ticketmaster.com, the Blaisdell Center ticket box office, Times Supermarkets, BYU Hawaii and also at the Waikiki Shell box office the days of the event. Visit the official website for more information.

This years event is also a contributing partner with the Honolulu Festival. The festival activities will be occuring throughout this week as well.

THURSDAY – MARCH 12, 2009

2:00 pm Gate and Booths open to the Public

4:00 pm Greetings & Welcome
“Pure” (Blessing) by invitation
Acknowledgements:
VIPs, Emcees, Judges, & House drummers

4:00 pm - SOLO COMPETITION - ROUNDS 1 & 2

Tamari’i Division:
2 - 3 yrs: Tamahine & Tamaroa (Exhibition)
4 - 6 yrs: Tamahine & Tamaroa
7 - 10 yrs: Tamahine & Tamaroa

Taure’are’a Division:
11 - 13 yrs: Tamahine & Tamaroa
14 - 17 yrs: Tamahine & Tamaroa

Vahine/Tane Division:
18 – 21 yrs: Vahine & Tane
22 – 26 yrs: Vahine & Tane
27 – 35 yrs: Vahine & Tane

Ta’ata Pa’ari Division:
36yrs & above: Vahine & Tane

BREAK: 6:30 – 7:00 pm

7 :00 pm - SOLO COMPETITION - FINALISTS

Tamari’i Division
4 - 6 yrs: Tamahine & Tamaroa
7 - 10 yrs: Tamahine & Tamaroa

Taure’are’a Division
11 - 13 yrs: Tamahine & Tamaroa
14 - 17 yrs: Tamahine & Tamaroa

Vahine/Tane Division
18 - 21 yrs: Vahine & Tane
22 - 26 yrs: Vahine & Tane
27 - 35 yrs: Vahine & Tane

Ta’ata Pa’ari Division
36 yrs & above Vahine & Tane

9:00 – 9:30 pm - Awards Ceremony: Solo - Final winners

Program ends at approximately 9:30 pm


FRIDAY - MARCH 13, 2009

2:00 pm Gate and Booths open to the Public

4:00 pm Greetings & Welcome
Pure (Blessing) by invitation
Acknowledgement of the VIPs, Emcees, & Judges

4:00 pm - SOLO COMPETITION - OVERALL

Tamari’i Division
4 - 6 yrs 1st Place Tamahine & Tamaroa
7 - 10 yrs - 1st Place Tamahine & Tamaroa

Taure’are’a Division
11 - 13 yrs 1st Place Tamahine & Tamaroa
14 - 17 yrs 1st Place Tamahine & Tamaroa

Vahine/Tane Division
18 - 21 yrs 1st Place Vahine & Tane
22 - 26 yrs 1st Place Vahine & Tane
27 - 35 yrs 1st Place Vahine & Tane

Ta’ata Pa’ari Division
36 yrs + 1st Place Vahine & Tane

5:00 pm - GROUP COMPETITION

5:15 pm TIARE HEIPUA - Hura Ava Tau (Jr) – AHUPUROTU
Heikapua/Pualani (Ra’atira pupu) – Okinawa, Japan

5:30 pm MEHETIA PRODUCTIONS – Hura Ava Tau (Jr) – APARIMA
Charelle Silva (Ra’atira pupu) – Kaneohe, HI

5:45 pm TIARE HEIPUA – Tupuna – AHUPUROTU
Heikapua Sabarsah (Ra’atira pupu) – Fukui, Japan

6:00 pm MERAHI PRODUCTIONS featuring Tiare Apetahi
- Hura Ava Tau (Jr) - OVERALL
Tiffany Dela Cruz/Seisha Tobosa (Ra’atira pupu) – Keaau, HI

BREAK: 6:30 – 7:00 pm

7:00 pm TOKARINGA KALOKEMELEMELE
– Hura Ava Tau (Jr) – AHUPUROTU
Yuko Imai (Ra’atira pupu) – Tokyo, Japan

7:15 pm TIARE HEIPUA – Hura Ava Tau (Jr) – APARIMA
Heikapua Sabarsah (Ra’atira pupu) – Ishikawa, Japan

7:30 pm MARANIA HAORAGI – Hura Tau (Sr) – AHUPUROTU
Tahia Parker (Ra’atira pupu) – Makiki, Hawaii

7:45 pm TIARE HEIPUA – Hura Ava Tau (Jr) – OVERALL
Heikapua Sabarsah (Ra’atira pupu) – Ishikawa, Japan

8:15 pm TE MAU MERAHI – Hura Ava Tau (Jr) – AHUPUROTU
Kepa Aricayos (Ra’atira pupu) – Kihei, Maui

Program ends at approximately 9:30 pm


SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2009

2:00 pm Gate and Booths open to the Public

4:00 pm Greetings & Welcome
Pure (Blessing) by invitation
Acknowledgements:
VIPs, Emcees, Judges, & House drummers

4:00 pm - GROUP COMPETITION

4:00 pm TE MAU MERAHI – Hura Ava Tau (Jr) – APARIMA
Kepa Aricayos (Ra’atira pupu) – Kihei, Maui

4:15 pm TE VAI URA NUI - Hura Tau (Sr) – DRUMMING
Tyrone Temanaha Jr. (Ra’atira rohi pehe) – Honolulu, Hawaii

4:30 pm TE TIARE PATITIFA – Hura Tau (Sr) – AHUPUROTU
Keoni Manuel (Ra’atira pupu) – Wailuku, Maui

4:45 pm IA ORA O TAHITI NUI – Hura Tau (Sr) – DRUMMING
Kevin, Aulii, Manarii (Ra’atira pupu) – Waipi’o, O’ahu

5:00 pm TE TIARE PATITIFA – Hura Tau (Sr) – APARIMA
Keoni Manuel (Ra’atira pupu) – Wailuku, Maui

BREAK: 5:15 – 6:15 pm

6:15 pm TE TIARE PATITIFA – Hura Tau (Sr) – OVERALL
Keoni Manuel (Ra’atira pupu) – Wailuku, Maui

6:45 pm TE MANA O TE RA – Hura Tau (Sr) – AHUPUROTU
Lisa & Ray Aguilar (Ra’atira pupu) – Walnut Creek, California

7:15 pm IA ORA O TAHITI NUI – Hura Tau (Sr) OVERALL
Kevin, Aulii, Manarii (Ra’atira pupu) – Waipi’o, O’ahu

8:30 pm AWARDS CEREMONY


Program ends at approximately 9:30 PM

Heiva i Honolulu is an event produced by Tahiti Nui International. The non-profit organization is led by Raymond Mariteragi (President) and Rose Perriera (Vice-President) and a board of directors made up of Tahitian community leaders.

Ia Orana All!