KAPA‘A — Thousands of people flowed through the gates of Kapa‘a Beach Park to watch Te Orama, directed by Anthony Waipa Manaois, emerge as the top overall group competition winner during Heiva I Kaua‘i that wrapped up Sunday afternoon following two days of competitive Tahitian dance and drumming.
Between the competitive dance and drumming, a sea of craft and food vendors begged for attention, and a special cultural tent offered insight into some of the Polynesian, including Hawaiian, culture.
iSiva Fireknife Crew hosted a special fireknife competition on Saturday night following the Heiva day program that included the solo dance competition, which was won by Kainoa De Castro of Nonosina taking the Junior Tane Division, Lehiwa Kaulia, an Independent, getting the Junior Vahine crown.
Joey Monela, competing and capturing top honors in the 26-39 Tane division, was crowned the Senior Tane dancer, and Camryn Espiritu of Maiari‘i, competing in the 16-18 age group, earned the Senior Vahine overall champion.
Anthony Waipa Manaois directed Te Orama, a group from the Westlake School of the Performing Arts in Daly City, California, that earned Overall honors after slipping in the Group Ahupurotu to Te ‘E‘a o te Turama, but rebounding to take top honors in the remaining group dancing and drumming.
Heiva I Kaua‘i was presented by funding from the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority through the Community Enrichment Program, the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau, the County of Kaua‘i, especially the divisions of Parks and Recreation, Public Works and numerous community sponsors and volunteers.
Results
• 4- to 6-years-old Tane: Jeaven Maeva (Tahiti Mana), Cameron Hepa (Rohotu)
• 4-6 Vahine: Kai‘ea Brewster (Te ‘E‘a o te Turama), Lelei Akuna-Aipoalani (Te ‘E‘a o te Turama), Paisley Baker (Otea Api)
• 7- to 9-years-old Tane: Alexander Chiuco (Otea Api), Ku‘i Lee (Te ‘E‘a o te Turama), Mateo Meija (Te ‘E‘a o te Turama)
• 7-9 Vahine: Leihwa Kaulia (Independent), Cameron Delatori Brown (Te Ohi Nui), Lei Hali‘a Keolanui (Urahutia)
• 10- to 12-years-old Tane: Kainoa DeCastro (Nonosina), Jack Brewster (Te ‘E‘a o te Turama), Kaleo Lee (Te ‘E‘a o te Turama)
• 10-12 Vahine: Divine Hokoana (Te Ohi Nui), Kawena Easley (Te ‘E‘a o te Turama), Riley Uyehara (Aloha Hula Dance Studio)
• 13- to 15-years-old Tane: Nolan Makia Manaois (Otea Api), Waipuna Lee-Tavares (Te ‘E‘a o te Turama)
• 13-15: Vahine: Turereura Manaois (Turereura), Shayla Aiolopotea (Te Vai Ura Nui), Sofia Brewster (Te ‘E‘a o te Turama)
• 16- to 18-years-old Vahine: Camryn Espiritu (Maiari‘i), Eliana Jones (Te Ohi Nui), Nalei Ho (Te ‘E‘a o te Turama)
• 19- to 25-years-old Tane: Naone Lee-Tolentino (Te ‘E‘a o te Turama)
• 19-25 Vahine: Poerava Tolentino (Te ‘E‘a o te Turama), Kayla DeCastro (Aloha Hula Dance Studio), Kelly Kauai (Urahutia)
• 26- to 39-years-old Tane: Joey Monela (Otea Api), Carley Kaipolei Awong (Independent), Clifton Dasalia (Independent)
• 26-39 Vahine: Danielle Yamane (Aloha Hula Dance Studio), Taliilani Letuli-Goeas (Independent), Brandee Sosa (Aloha Hula Dance Studio)
• 40 years old-plus Vahine: Larnell Brezee (Urahutia), Nihaniya Lidig (-), Jessica Manalo Angeles (Te Orama)
• Junior Champion Tane: Kainoa De Castro (Nonosina)
• Junior Champion Vahine: Lehiwa Kaulia (Independent)
• Senior Champion Tane: Joey Monela (Otea Api)
• Senior Champion Vahine: Camryn Espiritu (Malari‘i)
• Group Ahupurotu: Te ‘E‘a o te Turama (Maile, Kawika Tavares, director), Te Orama (Anthony Manaois, director)
• Group Aparima : Tumoana (Nicolas Kaneakua, director), Te Orama
• Group Otea: Te Orama
• Group Drumming: Te Orama
• Group Otea/Aparima: Te Orama
• Overall group: Te Orama
