Rahiti, a halau from California, came to Kaua‘i and captured the lion’s share of awards from the Heiva I Kaua‘i that wrapped up Sunday afternoon at Kapa‘a Beach Park before hundreds of people.
Rahiti faced Te ‘E‘A o te Turama of Kailua, Kona, as its primary contender in the group competition, but after the Kona halau fielded an ahupurotu entry that captured top honors, Rahiti faced an empty field to take top honors in the otea, aparima, drumming and Youth Otea-Aparima categories to end up being named Heiva I Kaua‘i Overall winners by the all-Tahitian panel of judges.
En route to the overall winner standings, Rahiti also swept the individual competition as its Xian Eriel Eusantos earned the Junior Champion Tane award, and Rahiti swept the Senior Individuals when Kainui Cadiente was crowned Senior Champion Tane, and Leana Marie Gurion walked off with the Senior Champion Vahine award.
The Heiva I Kaua‘i, celebrating its 20th anniversary, offered more than the international competition, as a cultural tent was filled with an assortment of crafters, including iSiva that offered instruction on the Samoan fire-knife dance, Ni‘ihau shell crafting, lauhala weaving and more.
Following an absence of two years because of the pandemic, Heiva I Kaua‘i returned with its offering of Kaua‘i crafters who were spread out in individual Quick Tents instead of the huge, longhouse-type canopy, to help keep the people spread out and minimize the spread of COVID-19 and its variants.
The Heiva I Kaua‘i, celebrating a special tribute to Stella Miyoshi, was made possible through the County of Kaua‘i Division of Parks &Recreation, Office of Economic Development, and Department of Public Works, with support from Tikiri Polynesian Instruments, GEICO, Island Image Hawai‘i, the Rice Street Business Association, Lihu‘e Lopez, Risa’s Rainbow and Gotta Lovett Lauhala.
Results
Vahine 4-6: Maia Kealoha (Te ‘E‘A o te Turama), Renka Ponce (Tuamotu Api), Mohea Delrosario (Rahiti).
Tane 7-9: Jack Brewster (Te ‘E‘A o te Turama), Ram Aiden Eusantos (Rahiti), Ka‘eo Lee (Te ‘E‘A o te Turama).
Vahine 7-9: Kaulia (Te ‘E‘A o te Turama), Kealoha Kiawe-Ramos (Te ‘E‘A o te Turama), Zoe Lee (Rahiti).
Tane 10-12: Xian Eriel Eusantos (Rahiti), Tez Cadiente (Rahiti).
Vahine 10-12: Hunnay Demello (Te ‘E‘A o te Turama), Sofia Brewster (Te ‘E‘A o te Turama), Moani Crisostomo (Tuamotu Api).
Tane 13-15: Kainui Cadiente (Rahiti), Waipuna Lee-Tavares (Te ‘E‘A o te Turama).
Vahine 13-15: Leila Manibog (Rahiti), Lily Temple (Rahiti), Shayla Aiolopotea (Te Vai Ura Nui).
Tane 16-18: Bishop Hansen (Rahiti), Ruutia Lee-Tolentino (Te ‘E‘A o te Turama).
Vahine 16-18: Leana Marie Gurion (Rahiti), Jaymie Miyanaga (Tuamotu Api), Mikaylla Catangay (Rahiti).
Tane 19-25: Elija Liaiga (Rahiti).
Vahine 19-25: Poerava Tolentino (Te ‘E‘A o te Turama), Sarina Temple (Rahiti), Melanie Brignoli (Rahiti).
Vahine 26-39: Alexandra Mariano (Rahiti), Vanessa Mariano (Rahiti), Tina Kaku (Tuamotu Api).
Tane 40+: Firipi Salos (Heiva Nui), Jiff Delrosario (Rahiti).
Vahine 40+: Hazel Balisacan.
Jr. Champion Tane: Xian Eriel Eusantos (Rahiti)
Jr. Champion Vahine: Hunnay Demello (Te ‘E‘A o te Turama)
Sr. Champion Tane: Kainui Cadiente (Rahiti)
Sr. Champion Vahine: Leana Marie Gurion (Rahiti)
Group Competition Ahupurotu: Te ‘E‘A o te Turama, Rahiti
Group Competition Otea: Rahiti
Group Competition Aparima: Rahiti
Group Competition Drumming: Rahiti
Youth Otea-Aparima: Rahiti
Overall winner: Rahiti
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
