KAPAA — When the Heiva i Kauai ia Orana Tahiti opened Saturday, Cathy Teriipaia kept the audience of several hundred glued to the Tahitian dance and drumming taking place on the open field, flanked by tents offering shade to spectators
KAPAA — When the Heiva i Kauai ia Orana Tahiti opened Saturday, Cathy Teriipaia kept the audience of several hundred glued to the Tahitian dance and drumming taking place on the open field, flanked by tents offering shade to spectators seeking respite from the blistering heat.
Beverly Pang, watching the silent auction tent, said there will be an all-new selection of items when the gates open today at 9 a.m. at the Kapaa Beach Park.
The event offers Tahitian dance and drumming competition from participants from across the state. The performance is enhanced by an offering of crafters, many coming from off-island, with a variety of Tahitian and Polynesian items. That is in line with the promotion and education by Pacific Island artists and culture.
Led by Charles and Cathy Temanaha, Te Vai Uranui, translated to mean “Great Flame on Water,” of Honolulu offered up exhibitions of the various styles of Tahitian dance.
Emmsley Drake of the Michael Drake ohana returns today for the fire knife demonstration. Interested people are able to learn the art of dancing with fire at a special area roped off for the practice twirling.
A special coconut husking and grating contest is also on tap with prizes sponsored by Ono Ono Shave Ice.
The event is led by Tepairu Manea, Stella Miyoshi, Ray Carpenter, Olinda Higashi, Shirlee Ozaki, Pat Finberg, Jo Manea, Pang and Kathaleen Lorenz, and sponsored by Hawaii Tourism Authority, the County of Kauai and GEICO Insurance with help from Tikiri Polynesian Instruments, the Rotary Club of Kapaa, Kauai Nursery and Landscaping, Summers Realty, Deja vu Surf, FM97 Radio and Kauai Design Graphics.
