The Heiva I Kaua‘i is returning to an in-person format at the Kapa‘a Beach Park following a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Tepairu Manea, president of Heiva I Kaua‘i.
The International Tahitian dance and drumming competition will be held Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
“This year is very special,” Manea said. “We will remember and pay tribute to Stella Miyoshi, one of the Heiva longtime supporters. This will take place during the opening ceremonies, Saturday after the gates open at 9 a.m.”
Admission to the Heiva I Kaua‘i is $7 per person on Saturday or Sunday. Children age 12 and younger are admitted free.
The two-year layoff has resulted in a lot of people signing up for the solo competition that takes place Saturday following the opening protocol, Tepairu said.
“We have two groups, Rahiti from California, and a group from Kona on the Big Island,” Tepairu said. “The house drumming is done by Te Vai Ura Nui.”
Heiva I Kaua‘i is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The Michael Drake ‘ohana will be hosting Po afi, translated to mean night fire, Saturday night from 6 to 9 p.m., coinciding with the monthly First Saturday opening of the downtown Kapa‘a area.
“The gates to Heiva I Kaua‘i will close at 5 p.m.,” Michael Drake said. “Then, around 6, or 6:30 p.m., the gates will re-open to Po afi for a $2 donation.”
Led by iSiva, or translated to mean I fireknife, the Drake ‘ohana have been longtime vendors and workshop instructors to Heiva I Kaua‘i. During the previous Heiva events, the family have been working with dry nifo oti, or war knife. During po afi, the Drake ‘ohana bring fire to the equation for siva afi, or the familiar Samoan fire knife dance.
They’ve also created and spearheaded other fire knife events such as the Burn Out Suicide suicide prevention events for families.
“This is real Kaua‘i style competition,” Michael said. “It’s a mixture of competition, teaching, learning, and just doing fire knife.”
Amidst the family-friendly atmosphere of food vendors, vendors from the Pacific region, and local crafters, solo competitors takes the stage starting with the youngest age group dancers through the masters portraying stories, myths, and legends of Tahiti.
Dancers compete in the traditional otea vahine and tane, for juniors, seniors, and masters categories.
Group competition categories include otea, aparima, ahupurotu, and drumming.
Heiva I Kaua‘i extends mahalo to the County of Kaua‘i, Department of Parks and Recreation, Public Works, and the Office of Economic Development as well as the Kapa‘a business community.
