KAPA‘A — Organizers of Heiva i Kaua‘i anticipate more than 2,500 people a day will flow through the gates of Kapa‘a Beach Park when the gates open at 9 a.m.. on Saturday and Sunday.
Celebrating its 22nd year, Heiva i Kaua‘i is a unique, exciting and colorful Tahitian dance and drumming competition enhanced with the inclusion of a craft fair with 44 vendors, cultural exhibitions and food booths. There is also a silent auction on both days.
A Samoan Po AfiT fireknife competition takes the stage on Saturday night following the day’s competition.
This year’s field of Tahitian dance participants range in age from toddler to elder and come from Hawai‘i, the mainland, including California, Florida, Arizona, as well as Taiwan and Japan. They will compete and perform in solo and group competition that portray the legends and stories of Tahiti.
The solo competition takes place on Saturday for the tane and vahine classes in age group divisions starting from junior, senior and master (ages 26 years and elder). The group competition takes place on Sunday when the field competes in the otea, aparima, ahupurotu, and drumming.
Additionally, Heiva i Kaua‘i will be offering an amateur and youth group category for contestants below 19 years old.
The iSiva FireKnift Crew will be maintaining an exhibition booth during the daytime hours of Heiva i Kaua‘i where contestants for the Po Afi competition are able to register on the spot.
Once the gate closes on the Saturday Heiva li Kaua‘i schedule, the gates reopen at 6 p.m. for the Po Afi Samoan Fireknife competition. For rules, application, and more information, email isivafireknifecrew@gmail.com.
Craft vendors are offering “an extensive array of Tahitian and other Pacific Island gifts, jewelry, art, woodwork and clothing. Food vendors are offering a variety of ethnic foods, while artists provide demonstrations of various Polynesian crafts.
Heiva i Kaua‘i is possible through the support from the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau, and Kapa‘a business community.
For more information, visit the Heiva website at www.heivaikauai.com.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
