Traditional Tahitian dance and culture will be on full display from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday as Merahi Productions presents the fifth semiannual Heiva I Keaukaha 2017 competition at Kawananakoa Gym.
Traditional Tahitian dance and culture will be on full display from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday as Merahi Productions presents the fifth semiannual Heiva I Keaukaha 2017 competition at Kawananakoa Gym.
The competition and culture exhibition also will include music, food, crafts and a guest performance by Ka‘ikena Scanlan.
Group competition categories include ote‘a, aparima, ahupurotu, tamari‘i ote‘a, tamari‘i aparima and Tahitian drumming.
Solo categories are exhibition 4 years and younger, tamahine/tamaroa (ages 5-7, 8-10 and 11-13), and vahine/tane (ages 14-17, 18-23, 24-29, 30-35, 36-44 and 45 and older).
Merahi dancers also will perform their version of the ill-fated star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet and the angst created between both families. And Merahi’s tamahine (children) will present their interpretation of the fairy tale “Beauty and the Beast,” demonstrating the battle between good and evil.
Tickets for the event are $5 pre-sale, $7 at the door, free for children 4 and younger.
For tickets or more information, call Tiffany Dela Cruz at 769-3860 or visit www.merahiproductions.wix.com/merahi.