Dance classes taught by a woman who trained at Tahiti’s top conservatory are starting next week in Kapa‘a.
Members of Mi Nei K. Oliver’s Urahutia Productions troupe dance regular shows in Po‘ipu and Princeville, travel around the world, and often capture top honors in dance competitions.
Oliver was crowned Miss Garden Isle 2004 this March, and won the Miss Congeniality and Viewer’s Choice awards in the Miss Hawaii 2004 pageant.
“I grew up dancing because my mom, Leiola Kamalani Oliver, is a dancer, and she taught us,” Oliver said.
The 24-year-old was born and lived in California until age 9, when her family moved to Hawai‘i. She first went to Tahiti at age 15 to join her sister, who performed there with a Hawai‘i-based group.
“I learned it there, and it was totally different than in Hawai‘i or California.
The following year mom sent me to Tahiti at age 16, where I went with Victoria Urahutia Tuiateikiutapu. I named the group after her.” “The name Urahutia speaks about the red feather, which in days of royalty was only allowed to be used for the king’s cape — it tells about picking only the best,” Oliver explained.
Tuiateikiutapu introduced Oliver to her aunt, Louise Kimitete, who is considered an authority in Tahitian dance.
Kimitete is a top professor at the government- sponsored Conservatoire Artistique Territorial. Kimitete sets the standard for Tahiti’s month-long Heiva held each July.
An exception was made to allow Oliver to enter the school, normally only open to Tahiti natives. She is the only person from the United States to have a diploma from this institution, which she received in 2000. Oliver trained over Christmas and summer vacations since 1996. At the time, she was not allowed to dance in a solo competition because she didn’t live there continuously for one year. Instead, she was in a group competition.
Groups she trained with in Tahiti include Makau, O Tahiti E, Grand Ballets De Tahiti, Temaeva, Heikura Nui, Torea Ura Nui and Toa Reva.
Conservatoire Artistique Territorial is the largest such school in Tahiti, focusing on culture, language and arts.
There are many other schools in Tahiti, but only one run by the government, Oliver said.
“The reason I started my group here is because nobody dances here like I learned in Tahiti,” Oliver said.
At age 16, she started choreographing, and taught classes with her aunt, originally from Tahiti. By 17 she was directing and choreographing shows at the Princeville Resort. At 18, she opened Urahutia.
“I decided to continue with what I really enjoyed, which is directing, choreographing and costuming,” she said.
Since 2000 she has taught more than 500 students in Kilauea, Kapa‘a, Lihu‘e, Koloa, Kalaheo and Waimea. When the girls come to the classes, they learn Tahitian dancing is definitely a challenge.
But it’s such great exercise, and you get to learn about the culture,” she said. “You’re always meeting new people and traveling. For a lot of the musicians, this is something fun. It takes a lot of commitment, but it is a lot of fun,” she continued.
“Our shows are not a Hollywood type of show. A lot of it is traditional and authentic. It’s professional, but it’s local style,” she said. “And it makes a great side job,” she said. Dancers can earn up to $100 per night depending on their experience and their part in the show.
Tahitian dancing builds confidence, Oliver says.
“A lot of people say they don’t know how to dance or they’re scared of dancing solo in the shows. But it definitely builds character,” she said.
“Dancing in front of tourists might be OK, but when they have to dance in front of their friends and family they get scared.” Urahutia performs a free Tahitian show at the Poipu Shopping Village every Tuesday and Thursday from 5 p.m.
to 5:45 p.m. A Polynesian revue at the Princeville Resort lu‘au is held Monday and Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Among their hosts for performances at private parties and conventions are Boeing, Fortune 500, David Schwimmer of NBC’s “Friends,” and parttime North Shore resident Pierce Brosnan.
Eight female dancers will leave Friday, Oct. 1 for Hong Kong, where they will dance to Elvis songs (translated into Cantonese) performed by a popular Chinese singer, Sam Hui. His wife has family on Kaua‘i, and they were here looking for dancers to be part of the show, Oliver said. They will perform 10 concerts over two weeks.
Oliver’s company is not solely involved with performing, however.
Competition is a main part of dancers’ training, and many of her dancers have won and placed highly in contests in California and Hawai‘i.
“Competing is just another fun thing to do,” she says. Oliver has entered more than 23 competitions since 1996 in California and Hawai‘i — winning first place 21 times.
During this year’s Heiva I O‘ahu, held June 22 and 23, Dara McKeown won third place in the 16 to 18 age category.
At the San Jose (California) Tahiti Fete, held July 3 to 5, McKeown won second place in the 16 to 18 age category.
At Heiva I Kaua‘i, held Aug. 5 to 8 at the Kukui Grove Center park and pavilion, Tavehi Tafiti won first place for ages 4 to 6; Danielle Martinez and Alana Andrews won second and third place, respectively, for ages 7 to 9; and Melyssa Motilla won first place for ages 16 to 18. The overall female winner was Oliver’s youngest sister, Ha‘aheo Oliver, who also won first place for ages 13 to 15. At the Maui Tahiti Fete, held Aug. 13 to 15, Wendy Souza captured the top prize, and Ha‘aheo Oliver won third place in the 13 to 15 age category; Wehi Oliver took a third-place award in the 16 to 18 age category; and Melia Foster won second place in the 19 to 24 age category.
Oliver is offering a 15-week session from Wednesday, Sept.
8 through Wednesday, Dec. 15 at the Kapa‘a Neighborhood Center. The 45-minute classes are open to all females regardless of age or dance experience.
Students will learn traditional Tahitian dance steps; aparima, or Tahitian hula; and otea, or drum dances. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to perform around the island.
Classes for ages 5 to 12 start at 4:30 p.m.; for age 13 and up, classes start at 5:15 p.m. Bring a pareo or sarong. The class costs $75 for 15 weeks.
“I want to encourage the young women to come out, because it does build self-confidence.
Many of the girls never thought they would be competing,” Mi Nei Oliver said.
“It teaches them to set goals and meeting their goals, and they can learn a lot of life lessons.
First they have to go through the 15 weeks,” she said.
“Even doing something small like that teaches them when they start something they have to follow through.”
