KAPAA — Lokelani’s Rhythm of the Islands, a group from Huntington Beach, Calif., captured the lion’s share of awards at the Heiva I Kauai Tahitian dance competition that wrapped up Sunday afternoon at the Kapaa Beach Park.
Under the leadership of Kathy Lokelani-Asuega and her husband Roy Asuega, the halau from California swept the group competition. Rhythm of the Islands also captured numerous awards in the solo dance event, including sweeping the Tane and Vahine 16 to 18 categories.
Lokelani’s Rhythm of the Island was one of the group competitors at the 18th Heiva I Kauai that wrapped up two days of competition, the other group being To‘a Here Tahitian Revue from the Big Island.
Thousands of people flocked through the gates at the Kapaa Beach Park to enjoy the offerings of local and ethnic foods, craft offerings, and exhibition performances from groups such is Ori Uvira under kumu Nick Kaneakua who did a special presentation in support of “the protectors of the ‘aina.”
Tepairu Manea is the president of the Heiva I Kauai Committee that organized the unique presentation of Tahitian culture.
Heiva I Kauai Results
• Solo Tane 4-6: Jack Brewster (Te ‘Ea o Te Turama)
• Solo Vahine 4-6: Galilea Mercado (Halau Hula o Leilani), Marina Lizama (Halau Hula o Leilani), Destiny Leoiki-Patolo (Moments Unforgettale)
• Solo Tane 7-9: Josiah Paikai (Moments Unforgettable)
• Solo Vahine 7-9: Lia Oswald (Halau Hula o Leilani), Sofia Brewster (Te ‘E‘a o Te Turama), Remi Grego (Lokelani’s Rhythm of the Islands)
• Solo Vahine 10-12: Audra Leiva (Lokelani’s Rhythm of the Islands), Shayla Aiolopotea (Te Vai Ura Nui), Elisha Stenseng (Lokelani’s Rhythm of the Islands)
• Solo Vahine 13-15: Calyra Mercado (Lokelani’s Rhythm of the Islands), Mikayla Fleisher (Lokelani’s Rhythm of the Islands), Jayla Melialani Nihipali (To’a Here Tahitian Revue)
• Solo Tane 16-18: Henry Makoa Shigeki Lukela (Lokelani’s Rhythm of the Islands), Alston Sunia (Lokelani’s Rhythm of the Islands)
• Solo Vahine 16-18: Alli Zamora (Lokelani’s Rhythm of the Islands), Kayley Jane Garcia Dykman (Lokelani’s Rhythm of the Islands), Julia Hays Cavanaugh (Lokelani’s Rhythm of the Islands)
• Solo Tane 19-25: Kyle DeJesus (Ote‘a ‘Api), Chazton Sasil (Ori Uvira), Kolei Tevita Etoni Kuma (Lokelani’s Rhythm of the Islands)
• Solo Vahine 19-25: Kanani Asuega (Lokelani’s Rhythm of the Islands), Patricia Boyette (Lokelani’s Rhythm of the Islands), Christina Young (Te Vai Ura Nui)
• Solo Vahine 26-39: Eden Au (Te Vai Ura Nui), Trisha Verzosa (Lokelani’s Rhythm of the Islands), Kalei‘okalani Matsui (Huraiti Mana)
• Solo Tane 40-plus: Daniel Sherman (Te Vai Ura Nui)
• Solo Vahine 40-plus: Jennifer Martin-Wolf (Moments Unforgettable), Renee Johnston (independent)
• Group Ahupurotu: Lokelani’s Rhythm of the Islands, To‘a Here Tahitian Revue
• Group Otea: Lokelani’s Rhythm of the Islands
• Group Aparima: Lokelani’s Rhythm of the Islands
• Group Drumming: Lokelani’s Rhythm of the Islands
• Group Youth Otea-Aparima: Lokelani’s Rhythm of the Islands
• Group Youth Drumming: Lokelani’s Rhythm of the Islands
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Dennis Fujimoto, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
