Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 5, 1 May 1988 — Atooi Marama of Kauai Best Overall Group [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Atooi Marama of Kauai Best Overall Group

Two Laie Students Top Field in Keiki Tahiti Fete

By Deborah Lee Ward, Assistant Editor Ka Wai Ola O OHA The drums of Bora Bora resounded mightily at the third annual Keiki Tahiti Fete held Mar. 19 at the St. Louis School's Stephen McCabe gymnasium. Stirring rhythms of toere and drum set the capacity crowd of 1,500 friends and family a-wrig-gling in the stands while over 200 contestants ages 5-12 strutted their stuff with grace and poise in colorful and elaborate costumes. This annual event presented by the KalihiPalama Culture and Arts Society ine., an independent community-based non-profit corporation under the guidance of Wendell K. Silva, Executive Director, has grown as a major children's Tahitian dance competition. Last year five halau participated. This year nine halau from all over the state entered. The all day event is supported in part by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. It was held in collaboration with the St. Louis Hui O Na Opio, led by John Keola Lake, for the purpose of stimulating an interest in and an awareness of Hawaii's Polynesian affiliation with the peoples of Tahiti

Despite the laek of a sound system due to a power outage on the St. Louis campus, program master of ceremonies Kimo Keawe, a radio personality from station KCCN 1420 on the AM dial, did an excellent job of turning up his vocal volume to announee contestants and keep the program running smoothly. Judges of the competition were Tetu Kameenui, Roiti Sylva, Eliane Ortas and Etua Tahauri, all Tahitians, according to Silva. The top prize of Master Keiki Ori Tahiti 1988 went to David Tafili Galeai of Tamarii Tiare Tahiti from Laie. He is a third grader at Laie Elementary competing in the Tane 9-12 division. His dance instructor, or "raatira," is Rene Tetuanui. Another Laie student, sixth grader Penny Taosoga, took top honors as Miss Keiki Ori Tahiti 1988. She is a dancer with the troupe Te Here No

Patitifa, led by Lueie Fonoimoana and Patricia Wilson. Winner of the $500 cash prize for best overall group was Atooi Marama of Kauai, led by Kapu Kinimaka-Alquiza. This ensemble was also first plaee winner of the group ote'a vahine award. Youngest winner was Thomas Ramento, of Aloha Pumehana O Polynesia, directed by his mother Denise Kia Ramento and unele Dennis Kia. Young Thomas is a first grader at Our Lady of Good Counsel school. Results:

GROUP OTEA DIVISION Vahine 1. Atooi Marama, Kapu Kinimaka-Alquiza. 2. Kalena's Polynesian Ohana, Evelyn and Isotolo Oloa. 3. Aloha Pumehana O Polynesia, Denise Kia Ramento and Dennis Kia. Tane 1. Te Here No Patitifa, Lueie Fonoimoana and Patricia Wilson. 2. Aloha Pumehana O Polynesia, Denise Kia Ramento and Dennis Kia. 3. Tamarii Tiare Tahiti, Rene Tetuanui. ORI TAHITI DIVISION Vahine 9-12 1. Penny Taosoga, Te Here No Patitifa. 2. Dawn Batula, Aloha Pumehana O Polynesia. 3. Cherrylyn Ramirez, Kalena's Polynesian Ohana. Tane 9-12 1. David Tafili Galeai, Tamarii Tiare Tahiti. 2. Clifford Respicio, Aloha Pumehana O Polynesia. 3. Kaleo Teriipaia, Te Here No Patitifa. ORI TAHITI DIVISION Vahine 5-8 1. Jaime Bran, Atooi Marama. 2. Marina Fonoimoana, Te Here No Patitifa. 3. Tiffany Doroha, Kalena's Polynesian Ohana. Tane 5-8 1. Thomas Ramento, Aloha Pumehana O Polynesia. 2. Joseph Hiro Peters, Tamarii Tiare Tahiti. 3. Kevin Kaleo Kameeiloha, Kalena's Polynesian Ohana.

Judges participated in the presentation of awards. Eaeh of the solo performers received miniature trophy cups while the division winners were presented with trophies donated by several individuals and organizations.

With smiles and songs and hip-shaking energy, group Atooi Marama of Kauai took first plaee in the ote'a vahine category as they performed this paddle dance.

Group Tamarii Tiare Tahiti with leader Rene Tetuanui wearing hat, gathers around David Galeai, winner of the Master Keiki Ori Tahiti 1988 trophy. Galeai is to immediate left of trophy, kneeling in second row.

mamĒĒmm - j £■ Penny Taosogo, Miss Keiki Ori Tahiti 1988, receives her trophy from Mapuana Yasui.

A vigorous spear dance won first plaee in the group ote'a tane competition for Te Here No Patitifa.