LIHUE — Wehi Oliver was announced as the 2013 Vahine Polynesia and George Martin was selected as the 2013 Tane Polynesia. The announcements were made following the Kauai Polynesian Festival, which was held recently at the North Vidinha soccer fields,
LIHUE — Wehi Oliver was announced as the 2013 Vahine Polynesia and George Martin was selected as the 2013 Tane Polynesia.
The announcements were made following the Kauai Polynesian Festival, which was held recently at the North Vidinha soccer fields, hosted by the Kamanawa Foundation.
Na Hui O Kamakaokalani edged out Na Kupuna O Kalamaolaimaluhialani for top honors in Na Kupuna Group Hula Auana competition, Na Kupuna O Kalamaolanimaluhialani taking the Best Music Award.
Leilani Rivera Low is the kumu hula for Halau Hula O Leilani, which topped Na Wahine Group Hula Kahiko and Auana competition.
In the solo division, Jade Oswald was named tops in Na Keiki/Opio/Wahine Hula Kahiko in Na Kaikamahine, ages 6 through 12 division. She was also named Overall Kahiko Solo winner.
Aulii Kaauwai Herrod and Keahiwea Rivera were named tops in Na Opio Kaikamahine, ages 13 through 17 division.
Tamatea Nui O Kauai ruled over the Polynesian dance, capturing top honors in the Group Aparima, Group Ahupurotu, and both Junior and Senior divisions of the Group Otea. It also earned top honors in the drumming competition.
The halau also secured best costume awards in each of the divisions en route to capturing the mayor’s trophy.
Hunter Nerg and Jiovanni Tafisi topped the Junior division of the Fire Knife competition, which was held during the Saturday night of the three-day festival.
Quest Ava, Eli Leech-Kritchman, and Hale Motuapuaka filled in the Intermediate division winners with Thomas Thompson, Kuinise Leiataua and Cheseveigh Usiei filling in the Senior division winners.
Maviri Gauthier topped the Tane 4-6 division in the Ori Tahiti competition with Mahie Apetahi Lum Won and Teihani Tafisi getting the nod in Vahine 4-6.
Lohiau Gillroy Kinimaka, Ashton Yadao, and Tavanni Tafisi were named tops in Tane 7-9 while Jaedyn Keawe Caspillo, Serina Oswald and Cardonay Gillroy Kinimaka were the Vahine 7-9 winners.
Laamea Gillroy Kinimaka topped the Tane 10-12 division with Kailee Pang Lardizabal, Brianna Binder and Jade Oswald filling in the Vahine 10-12 division.
With no Tane contestants, Keahiwela Rivera, Jazmine Melchor and Tara Kaui filled in the top three spots of Vahine 13-17 division.
Nei Moana Henriques, Kimberly Evans and Kayli Obrero filled in the Vahine 18-21 division.
George Martin, eventually being named Overall Tane Polynesia, and Lesao Makai Iokopo filled in the Tane 22-25 division with Wehi Oliver, eventually named Overall Vahine Polynesia, and Chelsea Knudson filling in the Vahine 22-25 division.
William Kahuanui-Paleka topped the Tane 31-39 division with Nalini Gauthier getting the nod in the Vahine 31-39 group. Louise Sauseri rounded out the Ori Tahiti by topping the Vahine Over 40 division.
Manarii and Nalini Gauthier topped the Tahitian Couples competition.
The Kauai Polynesian Festival, this year hosting a special Make-A-Wish guest, is sponsored by A&B Properties, Aloha Rainbow Screening, Deli & Bread Connection, the County of Kauai, Dollar Rent-A-Car, Hawaii Tourism Authority,
Hula Girl Restaurant, Eggbert’s, the Hawaii Visitors Bureay, Hilo Hattie’s, the Kukuiula Development Co., Malie Foundation, No Ka Oi Pono Polynesian Products, Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation, The JK Show and Walaau.
The Kamanawa Foundation is a Kauai nonprofit organization established in 1994 with a mission of preserving, promoting and perpetuating the Native Hawaiian culture, including its values, arts, crafts and music, primarily through the study of hula.
The Kamanawa Foundation hosts three annual events which highlight hula and Polynesian performing arts, including the Kauai Polynesian Festival, the Holiday Hula Celebration, and the Kauai Hula Exhibition.
Visit www.kauaipolynesianfestival.org for more information.
• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
