Hitia O Te Ra hosted Hura Tahiti 2009 in Southern California, June 19-20, 2009, hosting over 300 solo competition participants and approximately 6 groups in the group categories.

For more information regarding results, photos, and videos, check out their website:

www.huratahiti.com

Looking at their results, there were a few names that crossed the Heiva I Honolulu award winners, to name a few:

Nemenzo, taking first place in the Otea Category
Te Mana O Te Ra, taking first place in the Ahupurotu Category
Evelyn Bustamente of Island Way, taking Overall Vahine Soloist!

There were many groups and independent soloist participants, far too many to mention, but all whom we hope to see attending Heiva I Honolulu 2010!

La Depeche Tahiti wrote this morning about the challenges dance group participants are having shipping in the costumes, particularly mores.

Locally, the more manufacturers are only able to produce a very small number of mores. Each Heiva I Tahiti participating group averages 80 dance members, not including musicians and chorus group. The local more producers are able to costume 20 of 80 dancers per group which leaves group leaders purchasing abroad. It is the import tax that sends participants' costs sky rocketing. Even Marguerite Lai of O Tahiti E, voiced her concern claiming that participating in Heiva I Tahiti leaves groups without enough funds, even after numerous fundraising events throughout the year.

Although this news is GOOD news for the more suppliers here locally in Hawaii, it still leaves Tahiti with a major issue to resolve.

Place Toata, Papeete, Tahiti, PF

The Miss Tahiti 2009 Pageant took place last night, Friday, June 26, 2009 at Place Toata in Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia. The winner, Miss Puahinano Bonno, was crowned Miss Tahiti 2009 and will reign through June 2010! For more information visit the Miss Tahiti website:

MissTahiti.com

And as always for the latest news from French Polynesia, La Depeche Tahiti online and Tahiti Presse!

Congratulations to Puahinano! My favorite pick!

For those of you heading to Tahiti this summer, over July 10 -18, 2009, DO NOT miss out on the HEIVA I TAHITI events: opening ceremony, song & dance competitions, traditional sports, and the magic of French Polynesia!

In downtown Papeete: Place Vaiete, Place Toata, and the Museum of Tahiti, all events will seduce and mesmerize. Taking you back in time, remembering the legends, the life, the "mana" of French Polynesia!

If you have the time, don't miss it!

On Maui, August 15th and 16th, at Maui's War Memorial Gym in Wailuku, Heiva I Maui will be fun and excitement for the whole family!

Daily from 10am to 5pm, participate or come as a spectator for tahitian drumming and dance. For more details contact:

heivaimaui@yahoo.com

For all of you who follow Tahitian Dance Competitions in the islands of Hawaii, prepare yourselves to attend Heiva I Kauai, August 1-2, 2009 at Kapaa Beach Park, Kapaa, Kauai.

DEADLINE for applications are July 20, 2009. For more information:

http://www.tikiripolynesianinstruments.com/heivaikauai/index.htm

or call 808.822.9447!

TNI will be posting all forms, rules, regulations, and additional updates by August 1st, 2009 for HEIVA I HONOLULU 2010!

If you are interested in participating in any part of HEIVA I HONOLULU 2010, please follow this blog or visit us again here through the month of July for updates. We are seeking volunteers, vendors, sponsors, and participants!

If we don't have your email address be sure to send me an email and join our mailing list.

manamoo@mac.com

The Polynesian Cultural Center's ninth annual Te Mahana Hiro'a o Tahiti dance competition for children agens 3-18 will be held Friday July 10th, and Saturday July 11th..

The Friday evening preliminary competition will take place in the PCC's Hale Aloha luau amphitherater, starting at 7:45pm, and the Saturday finals will be in the Pacific Theater starting at 9:00am.

As usual an independent panel of Tahitian judges will determine the winners in age and gender categories.

The Cultural Center's Tahitian celebration is held each year about the same time as the Heiva, which traditionally was the French Polynesian observance of France's Bastille Day. Since French Polynesia obtained autonomie from France on June 29, 1974, the Heiva festival has become much more a grand celebration of Tahitian culture . . . much like the one you can enjoy at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Please plan to join us for one of our most colorful special events. Maururu (thanks).