Ia Orana ALL! Life has thrown me a curve or two in the past month, so I am slightly delayed with the Participant Packet for Heiva I Honolulu 2012.

The biggest news of Heiva I Tahiti 2009, is that of Hei Tahiti! In grand form, their presentation is based on the sharing of the land of Raivaevae. Two brothers who confront each other, with some challenge, over the land of Raivaevae.

With Heiva I Tahiti Group Presentations near closing, July 18, 2009, and my own return to the states from Tokyo has me settled, I want to be sure to update you regarding Heiva I Tahiti!

In the category of Heiva Nui, some of the biggest names in Heiva I Tahiti 2009 opened the first night of song and dance. O Tahiti E, A hutoru Nui, Heikura Nui, and Hitireva!

Spectacle, tradition, and people filled Toata Saturday night for the big event. The four groups brought forth their traditional presentations. Although, DVDs are not yet available and may not be for months to come, youtube normally features some highlights, AND most importantly RFO Polynesie, a local media group will be airing some of Heiva I Tahiti in July.

Visit their website for more:

http://polynesie.rfo.fr/

The 127th edition of Heiva I Tahiti opened up with the traditional kava ceremony at Place Toata Friday night! La Depeche Tahiti, a news source for French Polynesia, announced 14 dance groups and 11 song groups are set to take stage at Toata over the next two weeks.

With the many challenges pronounced prior to the Heiva by the voices of the community, the Minister acknowledged hearing the out cry for assistance and promised that with help from others, solutions will be found. Some of the problems existing today at the local level are rehearsal space, parking, group financing, and most importantly just the lack of consideration for the efforts to bring about the Heiva I Tahiti.

This evening was highlighted by a traditional orero, much song and rhythms, and a special aparima by Janine Maru.

Stay tuned here for more highlights!

Polynesian Cultural Center's "Te Mahana Hiro'a O Tahiti" - Tahitian Dance Competition was held this past weekend, July 10-11, 2009.

The event opened up Friday evening at Hale Aloha with the Tamarai'i (Junior and Senior Divisions) Solo Competition. The youngest under 5 were adorable with parents just off stage anxious for their children to dance and hop around as they do at home. The rest of the night was filled with color and showmanship. Jordan Mariteragi won the Tamari'i Tane Jr. Overall Soloist! Jasmine, also of Nonosina Hawaii took the Tamari'i Vahine Overall Soloist title in the Sr. Division. I don't have all the winners listed, but you can find them at PCC's website Tahiti Festival webpage.

http://www.polynesia.com/tahiti_festival/index.htm

The group events, Saturday, presented infants to teens in group performance. Marania Haoragi directed by Tahia Parker, Te Hamata directed by Penny Tuilolo, and Nonosina Hawaii directed by Jon and Tiani Mariteragi took the PCC Main stage in song and dance! From the well known popular tunes and beats of French Polynesia to the new, Nonosina Hawaii came home with Sr. Division first place honors. For all awards see PCC's website for details and photos.

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.

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).

In a previous posting, I recently received a comment inquiring about "registering for our dance competition and/or other competitions".

I responded with the following and wanted to post that anew for all:

Certain organizations (like us) and or dance group(s) will host a dance competition/festival; some annually, otherwise every two or three years.

Another organization that hosts an annual dance competition is the Polynesian Cultural Center, a major sponsor of Tahiti Nui International's annual "Heiva I Honolulu". Te Mahana Hiro'a O Tahiti, is held every July near Tiurai season, normally in July. For more information visit their website:

http://www.polynesia.com/tahiti_festival/news.htm

An updated comprehensive list of groups and dance festivals is listed at the website of another of our sponsors and webmaster, Scott Nagata and Black Pearl Designs:

http://www.blackpearldesigns.net/tahitian-dance.html

Locally on the island, Manutahi just completed their event on the 19th of April. Te Vai Ura Nui and Maohi Nui host solo dance events occasionally. Also, it is rumored that Mehetia Productions may be holding an event this year.

Otherwise, if traveling is an option, on Maui and Kauai, there are dance festivals scheduled for August of this year. Although the annual Hilo Fete was canceled this year, look forward to future events by the Hilo organization. California groups, Nonosina, Nemenzo, and Hitia O Te Ra (as well as others) hold dance competitions annually, too.

In Las Vegas, one of our sponsors, Ravahere Allred, is hosting a Miss Pearls of Polynesia Pageant and a dance competition in Las Vegas.

They all have websites and are easily googleable.

Lastly, we look forward to your participation in our event for 2010! So I have you on our mailing list and will be contacting you once our forms are online and our online payment schedule is in order for Heiva I Honolulu 2010.

So for all who read this posting, TNI is trageting a website update with "Heiva I Honolulu" 2010 information and registration forms by June 2009. Watch for it!

It is official! Mehetia Productions has announced their First Annual Mehetia Fete, October 17, 2009 at King Intermediate Gym in Kaneohe from 9:30am -9:00pm.

For information regarding Mehetia Fete 2009 contact Charelle at 808.723.4998 or email info@mehetiafete.com.

Mehetia Productions participated in Tahiti Nui International's "Heiva I Honolulu" 2009 participating in solo and group categories. We are excited for Charelle, their instructors, their dancers and their new beginnings. Let's all come out to support Mehetia Productions! I will be there!