Celebration of Tahitian dance, culture in Kona

By NANCY COOK LAUER

Stephens Media

Tahitian music, dance, culture and ono grinds are slated for this weekend, when the award-winning group Te Ea O Te Turama and Fun to Jump Kona present the second annual Heiva I Hawaii in Kona.

The event kicks off today with the Mr. and Miss Heiva I Hawaii beauty pageant, plus a Tahitian Soiree from 6-9 p.m. at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel luau grounds. Show tickets are $20; dinner plates are $10. It’s a fundraiser to support Te Ea O Te Turama and the perpetuation of Polynesian cultural dance and education.

The festivities continue Saturday with free admission at the Kekuaokalani Gym. A Polynesian village of food and craft vendors will be open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Solo and group dance competition starts at 10 a.m. and continues until 4 p.m. Fun to Jump Kona’s Mahalo Fun Day of inflatables and rock wall climbing goes from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Tahitian dance workshops for drumming, otea, ahuroa and aparima are from 4-6 p.m. Saturday. Those interested in participating should register in advance by emailing teeaoteturama@gmail.com.

Sunday starts with Heiva I Hawaii competition from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Kekuaokalani Gym. There’s an award ceremony at 3 p.m.

The Polynesian Village of vendors is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday, and the inflatables and rock wall climbing will be open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Admission is free.

Maile Lee, leader of Te Ea O Te Turama, started the event as a way to give back to the community and bring more awareness for the Tahitian culture and dance. She teamed up with her friend Kula Keawekane, of Fun to Jump Kona, who had done a Mahalo Fun Day for families the previous year.

Email Nancy Cook Lauer at ncook-lauer@westhawaiitoday.com.