KAPA‘A — Tahitian and Samoan cultures come together in a unique Hawaiian blend when the 22nd annual Heiva I Kaua‘i takes place on Aug. 3-4 at Kapa‘a Beach Park.
The heiva, as it’s known, is a two-day event centering on Tahitian dancing, both solo and group, and Tahitian drumming, which is the core of Tahitian dance.
The competition is enhanced with a variety of vendors offering an array of Tahitian and other Pacific Island gifts, jewelry, art and clothing. Food vendors offer a variety of ethnic foods, including fresh coconuts.
Artisans offer a variety of demonstrations of differing Polynesian crafts.
The Michael Drake ‘ohana is one such artisan, offering demonstrations during the Heiva and hosting Po Afi Fire Knife Competition with the iSiva FireKnight Crew on Saturday, Aug. 3, following the close of Heiva.
The gates to Heiva close at the end of Saturday, and attendees to the fireknife competition are subject to admission fees for that event, which is scheduled to run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Kapa‘a Beach Park.
Pete Whitney took the Po Afi championship in 2023 to repeat as the fireknife winner.
Attracting audiences by the thousands, Tahitian dance halau open the two-day event with the solo competition on Saturday. Starting with the youngest age groups, and continuing until the final dance-off for the eldest age group, competitors in either the vahine, or tane divisions, perform before a panel of judges and an appreciative audience.
Group competitors work their magic in three major categories of dance — the otea, aparima, and ahupurotu. Drumming competition is in a separate category.
Kainoa De Castro, of the Nonosina group, earned the 2023 Junior Division Tane Championship and Lehiwa Kaulia, an independent dancer, earned the 2023 Junior Division Vahine title.
Joey Monela, of Otea Api, earned the Senior Division Tane crown and Camryn Espiritu of Maiari‘i captured the Senior Division Vahine title.
Te Orama, under the directorship of Anthony Manaois, earned the Overall group winner honor after taking top honors in the Otea and Aparima category and the Drumming category.
Tumoana, with Nicolas Kaneakua directing, topped the Aparima category, and Te ‘E ‘a O Te, with Maile and Kawika Tavares, earned the Ahupurotu crown.
The Heiva I Kaua‘i said it is grateful for support from the County of Kaua‘i and the Kaua‘i business community.
For more information contact the iSiva team at email isivafireknifecrew@gmail.com.
