Heretama Nui dancers

Heiva i Honolulu reigning title holder, Heretama Nui of Pearl City, Hawaii, led by ra'atira (group leader) brothers Allen Ramento and Christopher Ramento, returned to the Waikiki Shell this past weekend and defended their title amid a competition field that included powerhouse groups Maohi Nui and Ia Ora O Tahiti Nui. With over 150 dancers on stage, Heretama Nui came away with their second overall title (Grand Champion) in a row with a performance based on a theme telling of an ancient legend of Pearl Harbor (Pu'uloa).

In addition to the Grand Champion title, Heretama Nui also had 1st place awards in the Hura Tau Drumming and original Aparima categories.

However, it wasn't all Heretama Nui at the awards ceremony. Maohi Nui and Ia Ora O Tahiti Nui both gave solid performances in competing for the title. Maohi Nui claimed 1st place for the Vahine Ahupurotu and came in second for the Original Aparima and Ote'a. While Ia Ora O Tahiti Nui was awarded 2nd place for drumming in the very competitive and creative category.

In the Hura Ava Tau division, Tamatoa of Kaneohe, Hawaii claimed the Grand Champion title dancing, drumming and singing to a theme based on the Hawaiian legend of Pele (Goddess of fire).

Vahine of the group Tamatoa

The Hura Ava Tau division also saw debuts of new groups, Te Mahana O Te Ra (Ku'uleinani Hashimoto) and Puahinano (Pualani Horiuchi), both from Japan. In addition, Te Hei Ura returned this year and competed in the Overall Ote'a category for the first time.

Locally, two new groups also competed this year. Tahiti Mana, led by Manarii Gauthier and Te Iriatai Ora (Keali'i Bush) debuted with memorable Ahupurotu performances.

A full rundown of the results for both groups and soloists is available on the results page of the website.

Here's a synopsis of the Heretama Nui program (as printed in the 2012 event program).

Theme: Matou teie te mau tamari'i O Pu'uroa e, O Ka'ahupahau te ma'o o to matou ai'a e
We are the children of Pu'uloa and Ka'ahupahau is the great shark of our land...

Heretama Nui has chosen to bring honor and glory to their home district of Pu'uloa with the story
of Ka'ahupahau of Pu'uloa. Pu'uloa is the ancient name of the lochs of Pearl Harbor located in the
Ewa moku (land division) of central O'ahu. Ka'ahupahau is the shark goddess that guards the waters
of Pu'uloa. She was accompanied by her younger brother Kahi'uka. These two sharks are revered as
'aumakua or family guardians of the people of Ewa. However Ka'ahupahau and Kahi'uka were once of human form.

The legend tells us of a particular day, the grandmother and two children were out fetching the kou flowers of One'ula.(Ewa Beach). While on the excursion, they became separated and lost. Several days had passed and the grandmother was in distress and agony over the loss of the children. She cried out to the gods and pleaded that they would care for the children and to return them to her. The gods heard her plea and all the while the children were safe upon the shores of Pu'uloa.

The two children were greatly admired by the gods. Ka'ahupahau was a beautiful girl with streaks of
red hair and Kahi'uka was very tall and had shiny skin.The gods loved the children and transformed
them into sharks.

One day, the grandmother noticed two large sharks in the ocean. At first she was frighten. She
remained still and motionless as the sharks swam around her.The grandmother realized that these
sharks were kind and did not want to hurt her. As she came closer to the sharks they made eye contact.
The grandmother recognized the softness of the sharks eyes and called out. "Ka'ahupahau!!!"
She then pointed out to the larger shark and called out "Kahi'uka!!!" The grandmother was reunited
with her mo'opuna (grandchildren) as they returned to her in the spirit form as the guardians of
Pu'uloa and the people of Ewa.This is the story of Ka'ahupahau of Pu'uloa and how they became the
  'aumakua of the people of Ewa.

Here is a quick link to our RESULTS page!

Mauruuru roa to all participants of Heiva I Honolulu 2012, held at the Waikiki Shell, March 15th through the 17th. Each year the investment of time and monies to produce such an event is always overshadowed by the experience of watching each solo contestant and group take the stage with just as much investment into costuming, music, drum, and dance that surpass the prior year. The solo competition acts as a gauge of the individual skill level at Heiva I Honolulu and this year proved that with time and practice each of you have progressed immensely, as our head judge from Tahiti noted. The crowds at the Waikiki Shell were wow-ed this year by our group performances, as were the Tahiti Nui International staff. Participating groups this year showcased programs that has the Tahitian people looking across miles of ocean, waiting for their opportunity to see you do the same in Tahiti. We appreciate each of you for your dedication to the tahitian culture.

We would also like to thank the vendors for their continued support, perpetuating the tahitian culture through their artwork and craftsmanship. It is our hope that the experience is as rewarding for you as it is for us. And to our sponsors who help us in producing Heiva I Honolulu, we appreciate your years of commitment to our organization.

We were fortunate to have beautiful Hawaii sun and cool nights this week after two weeks of heavy rains, thunder, and lightning. We are appreciative of our judges, who braved the heat and savored the cool evenings. We are also indebted to the Minister of Culture of Tahiti for his support of events outside of French Polynesia that edify and perpetuate the Tahitian culture. We are even more appreciative of our special guests who added "celebrity" to our event, Mayor Peter Carlisle of Honolulu for his quick "hello" and his dance presentation and Hawai's very own, reigning Mrs. America, Lara Fonoimoana, as co-host and assisting with our Awards Ceremony.

Lastly, there are no words that would relay the deep amount of gratitude we have for the loyalty and devotion of our staff and volunteers to the event. From the front of house to the back of house as far as the back parking entry, we feel your commitment through your hard work.

As we close this decade of Heiva I Honolulu, we look forward to many more with the hope of generating a growing interest in our culture and traditions.

Mauruuru roa,

Tahiti Nui International

If you're not at the Waikiki Shell today, Saturday, March 17, 2012, you will miss out on the event of the year!

TAMARI'I DIVSION

partly cloudy with scattered showers...CHECK it out by the hour at

GO TO MIKEBAMBI.COM FOR PHOTOS

In awe at the Waikiki Shell as I get a preview of what is to come. Groups came ready to work hard beginning at 3pm to 10pm. Te Hei Ura, Te Mahana O Te Ra, Puahinano, Tahiti Mana and Tamatoa took the rehearsal stage into the evening with the senior groups Te Iriata'i, Heretamanui, and Maohi Nui behind them. Unfortunately, we let time slip by with a couple of groups and Maohi Nui got the short end closing the evening with less rehearsal time. Hopefully, that can be made up later tonight after the Solo Program. I can't wait to see them in full costume and music!

In 2005, “Heiva I Honolulu” took wings and began to take shape in Japan.  Partnering with Treasure Island of Japan, “Heiva I Japan” took root in Tokyo and continues annually today, celebrating its 5th Anniversary in September of 2011.

Tahiti Nui International’s “Heiva” concept took flight yet again in 2007.  Under the direction of the current Minister of Culture, Natache Taharua, Tahiti Nui International was invited to host “Heiva I Tahiti” Solo Competition in July, during the week of Tahiti’s own Heiva Laureat presentation and awards.  Filling the Grand Theatre of the House of Culture in Papeete with a captive audience, soloists who previously competed at the Waikiki Shell, took stage in an event that would be the first of its kind.  Groups from Hawaii, California, Canada, and Japan brought their solo dancers to Tahiti in cooperation with Tahiti Nui International, The House of Culture, and the Heiva I Tahiti Committee.  These same groups were invited to showcase their otea, aparima, and ahupurotu or hura presentations at Toata, the premier venue of Tahiti’s own Heiva events which captivated a sold out crowd of locals and visitors to Tahiti.  The Toata stage was also the venue for Tahiti Nui International’s Heiva I Tahiti Solo Competition Overall Solo event, where the first place soloists of each age category competed for the titles of Overall Tane and Overall Vahine.  Since this event, the House of Culture of French Polynesia, under the direction of the Minister of Culture has continued to host similar events and created one of their own, Hura Tapairu.

Following such a historical moment in Tahitian dance history, “Heiva I Honolulu” was brought home to the Waikiki Shell stage from 2008 to 2010, recapturing the excitement and grandeur of its origin.  The momentum over the years, took Tahiti Nui International and its “Heiva” program in 2011 to Las Vegas, Nevada.  Tahiti Nui International hosted its first annual “Heiva I Las Vegas” in September of 2011 at the Cashman Center Theatre.

We're looking to more great moments and memories in the coming years ahead. Tahiti e imua!

SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 2012 the Waikiki Shell will host the best event in Honolulu ~ Heiva I Honolulu 2012 Senior Division Group night and Awards Ceremony.

“Heiva I Honolulu’s” greatest moments are characterized by its accomplishments over the years.

In 2003, following the foundation of Tahiti Nui International with the cooperation of the government of Tahiti, it’s Minister of Culture and the Mayor of Honolulu, “Heiva I Honolulu” took shape. Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris was bestowed the Tahitian name Heipuni Mataarii by Tahiti’s reknown language professor Mako Tevane. Tahiti’s Minister of Culture sent a representative to Hawaii to attend the “Heiva I Honolulu” event. Heremoana Maamaatuaiahutapu, Director of the House of Culture of French Polynesia, has since acted as Head Judge over “Heiva I Honolulu”.

Although not the only festival of its type in Hawaii, “Heiva I Honolulu” took on a new role, as the first of its caliber. In this same year, the first Group Overall recognition in the Senior Division was awarded to Nonosina of California, as the first Group Overall recognition in the Junior Division was awarded to Nonosina of Hawaii.

Sensationalizing this inaugural event, Tahiti Nui International, with the assistance of the Tahitian government, hosted Les Grands Ballet’s “Varua”, filling the Waikiki Shell’s capacity. This performance echoed the great beginnings of Tahitian dance in Hawaii and across the world.

In 2004, the growth of “Heiva I Honolulu” took on exponential numbers, featuring reknown groups representing Hawaii, North America, and now Japan.

The growth and recognition continued in 2005, when Tahiti Nui International hosted the award winning group “O Tahiti E” who featured their Grand Champion performance of “Te Muhu a Fenua”, “The Murmurs of the Land”. “Heiva I Honolulu” 2005 recognized newly elected Mayor Mufi Hanneman, who opened the ceremonies and attended the Awards night, drawing incredible capacity numbers to the Waikiki Shell yet another year.