Jerold Martinez, an independent dancer, and Lani Figaroa of Tihate Productions captured the top overall tane and vahine Polynesia titles at the Kaua‘i Polynesia Festival. When the dust and drumming subsided from the three-day festival held at the soccer fields
Jerold Martinez, an independent dancer, and Lani Figaroa of Tihate Productions captured the top overall tane and vahine Polynesia titles at the Kaua‘i Polynesia Festival.
When the dust and drumming subsided from the three-day festival held at the soccer fields at Vidinha Stadium, Kalena’s Polynesian ‘Ohana was awarded the mayor’s trophy for the overall Tahitian Group.
The group compiled the best combined scores from the Otea, Aparima, Ahupurotu and Drumming phases of competition.
Dancers from Kalena’s Polynesian ‘Ohana topped the senior division for Otea and Aparima as well as taking the award for the Best Aparima Costume.
They also topped the Drumming competition and settled for runner-up in the Ahupurotu, bested in that phase by Maota O Ali‘i.
Te ‘E ‘A ‘o swept the Junior Division in both Group Aparima and Group Otea.
En route to getting the banner for top overall dancers, Martinez topped the Tane 22-25 age group competition while Figaroa topped the Vahine 18-21 age group over Amanda Weinstein, a repeat competitor from Atooi Marama and Erihka Emil of Kalena’s Polynesian ‘Ohana.
Kimberly Pagnilawan of Atooi Marama topped the Vahine 26-30 age group over Sheila Sta-Maria and Angely Patterson.
Charlene Oloa of Kalena’s Polynesian ‘Ohana was the sole participant in the Vahine 22-25 age division as was Aaron Dung, an independent dancer in the Tane 18-21 class.
Eileen Gelpi helped Kalena’s Polynesian Ohana reap more awards by topping the Vahine 4-6 age group over Mahealani Farrels of Tamarii A Hina and Aesha Heya of Tiare Ura O Tahiti.
Troy and Jay Spacek of Manutahi were first and second, respectively, in the Tane 7-9 competition.
Sandy Hopeau of Tiare Ura O Tahiti topped the Vahine 7-9 field over Jazime Melchor of Maohi Nui and Cheyenne Romanillos of Kalena’s Polynesian ‘Ohana.
Paige Soma was one of the early dancers in the Vahine 10-12 age group and went on to capture top honors over Teresa Huff of Halau Hula O Leilani and Maeleen Hopeau of Tiare Ura O Tahiti.
Shayna Lei Soma of Tiare Ura O Tahiti topped the Vahine 13-17 age group over Alexa Cezar and Germaine Navarro of Manutahi.
Emmsley Drake of Rohotu and Joseph Melchor of Maohi Nui were the sole competitors in the Tane 13-17 and Tane 10-12 groups, respectively.
In the Hawaiian competition, Kiana Leolani Pascua of Halau O Hai‘ileo was awarded the 2007 Overall Kaikamahine Polynesia title, and Casey Planas of Halau O Hali‘ileo capturing the 2007 Overall Kamakane Polynesia awards.
Both dancers attained the highest total score in either the Keiki or Opio categories.
Halau Hula O Hokulani swept all three levels of the Group Hula Kahiko competition, earning top honors in Na Keiki Wahine, Na Keiki Kane and Na Opio.
Jordan Kaopua of Halau Olapakuikala‘i O Hokulani was the sole dancer in the Keiki Wahine 6-12 age group as was Planas in the Opio Kane 13-17 division. Kyle Poma of Halau Hula O Hokulani was the sole dancer in Na Keiki/Opio Hula Kahiko division.
Pasua topped the Opio Kaikamahine 13-17 division over Kirstie Pi‘i Matias of Halau Hula O Leilani and Ashley Nishimura of Halau Olapakuikala‘i O Hokulani.
Na Kupuna O Kalamaolanimaluhialani was the sole group participating in Na Kupuna Group Hula Auwana phase.
Poerava Tolentino of Te ‘E ‘A‘O Te Turama topped the solo Poi Ball competition over Meagan Barretto of Halau Hula O Keala and Pa‘ahana Anderson of Halau Hula O Keala.
Na Hula O Kaohikukapulani, who will be hosting its summer ho‘ike on June 17 at the convention hall, topped the Group Poi Ball competition.
They were followed by Kia Manawanui.
