We had an incredible time hosting our dear friend from Tahiti, master Hirohiti Tematahotoa as a part of Huraiti Mana's Workshop Series! Hiro worked tirelessly with a never-fading smile through an entire weekend of non-stop 'ori! We welcomed dancers from across Washington including Renton, Whidbey Island, Seattle, Everett, and even some from Cali! To all our PNW 'ori sisters and feti'i, we thank you for sharing your time with us in our studio, supporting our goals to continue connecting with each other and contributing what we can to the amazing Polynesian Community here. We extend a sincerest māuruuru to Hiro for sharing his incredible wealth of knowledge and passion of his people, his culture, his language, and dance. Hiro is so full of life, never-ending creativity, and contagious laughter. We are so fortunate that he was able to make a visit to Seattle in his long journey across the world this year. Hiro, you are welcome back in our homes any time!
Keep an eye out for our next workshops coming up at the end of May! If you'd like to hear first about our workshops, please email us at [email protected]. 
LEI-MAKING WORKSHOP SEATTLE Saturday, September 7, 2019 | 9AM-11:30AM & 1PM-3:30PM Seattle Center Armory Lofts 305 Harrison St Seattle, WA 98109 LEI-MAKING WORKSHOP SEATTLE Sunday, September 15, 2019 | 11AM - 1:30PM Wing Luke Museum 719 S King St Seattle, WA 98104 Fresh flowers, fragrant greens, and endless results. Join us! Participants will learn about the significance of lei-making and how this Polynesian tradition is integral in the perpetuation of cultural values. This is a challenging exercise and is recommended for 12+. No experience necessary. Lei are not simply decorative pieces; they share a spiritual connection with and are representative of the land they come from, the people who create them, and the people for whom they are made. Lei is a cultural, personal, and spiritual exchange of aloha (love), mana (spiritual power), and mana'o (knowledge). Learn about how lei-making strengthens our connections to the land and to each other. Share in company, stories, and laughter in this labor of love.
I am so proud and honored to represent Huraiti Mana at the first-ever Hura Tini competition at this year's Heiva i Honolulu, an incredible opportunity to compete not in age categories but in a two-part competition of mehura and ote'a, the two signatures of Tahiti Nui International competitions. I also owe all my love and knowledge of ori Tahiti to the Pupu Ori I grew up with and have shaped the path of my ori life, Ma'ohi Nui. Mauruuru roa to Marisol for creating a beautiful mehura outfit for me in brilliant red to perform an impromptu number. Maruuru to my Huraiti Mama who, as always, was backstage with me, detailing my looks and making sure I eat! Mauruuru to all my 'ohana, including all my huraiti at Huraiti Mana, and most especially e ku'uipo! Our community has been so incredibly supportive and loving, sending all their mana to us wherever we've traveled. It's been a great long year of growth and learning, and I am so honored to round out Huraiti Mana's 2019 year of competition with a 4th Overall Win at Hura Tini! We will continue to hone our techniques and improve our skills as we head into 2020!
Aloha a ia ora na!
Sending a mahalo a mauruuru roa - many, many thanks to all of you who joined Huraiti Mana at our First Annual Fa'a'ori! We hope you enjoyed spending time with all of us for this special occasion. Our goal in this showcase was to give our huraiti a cause to dance! We wanted to create a welcoming space for and give thanks to our supportive 'ohana, as well as celebrate with and contribute to our Polynesian Islander community here in the Pacific Northwest. In our first event, we truly, truly enjoyed ourselves. The months of planning, weeks of organizing, and countless hours of sewing, weaving, practicing, and so much more has been an incredibly fulfilling experience for each of us at Huraiti Mana. The Fa'a'ori has brought us all closer together in more ways than one, and we could not have done it without the support of our loved ones. We have learned a lot and are so grateful that you chose to give us your help, time, and love. We hope you choose to continue on this journey of growth with Huraiti Mana. Mahalo nui loa to those who helped sponsor our event: 4Culture, Sharon H. Chang Photography, Koloa Kreations Catering, and Paradise Cakes. You are incredible, talented, and amazing people! Mauruuru to all of our fabulous volunteers! Our early-morning set-up crew, collage-creaters, ushers, admissions crew, merchandise booth, Lei’ala’s Lei Stand, regalia-making crew, incredible emcee Aunty Jeannie, my nephews (the toddlers collecting your ticket stubs), o ku’u ipo and DJ Kitman, runners, and clean-up crew; all so selfless and giving, so dedicated and supportive. Mahalo to our vendors Wing Luke Museum, Kiana’s Hawaiian Jewelry, Franada ‘Ohana Bake Sale, Ken Tran videography, and once again Koloa Kreations and Sharon H. Chang photography. Many thanks to Kiana’s Hawaiian Jewelry, Wing Luke Museum, Seattle Mariners and Seattle Children’s Museum for donating to our door raffle grand prize! And much mahalo to our fabulous emcee Aunty Jeannie for her donations of all of our game giveaways. We shared laughs, stories, tears of joy, and mana – our life energy, our spiritual power. That is what we hope to continue to share with you at Huraiti Mana. A moe na te hiro’a! A moe na te iho tumu! Think about your culture! Think about your identity! WE are Huraiti Mana. Mauruuru roa, Kalei’okalani Matsui Ha’api’i/Ra’atira, Huraiti Mana  Welcome to Huraiti Mana's First Annual Fa'a'ori! Fa'aori is of Reo Tahiti, the Tahitian language, meaning "to cause to dance." Through dance, Huraiti Mana has been able to grow a community of diverse, hardworking, insightful, and passionate Huraiti, "skilled dancers," coming from all over Washington, from across the Pacific, and from all levels of experience with Polynesian culture, dance, and practices. Our First Annual Fa'aori serves to demonstrate the culture we have created together that embodies the deeply-rooted Polynesian values of aloha (love), 'ohana (family), and ha'aheo (pride). Join us as we feature 'ono grinds (delicious food!) from Koloa Kreations Catering; vendors including Kiana's Hawaiian jewelry, Franada Family Bake Sale, Wing Luke Museum, and more; a fresh palm-leaf weaving workshop; dessert by Cakes of Paradise; and a performance featuring all of our Huraiti in originally choreographed hula and ori Tahiti numbers. Come out to support your 'ohana, from our youngest huraiti to our newest dancers! Every ticket purchased is entered into a door raffle for a grand prize! Saturday, July 6, 2019 from 12:30PM - 4:00PM at the Nisei Vets Hall in Seattle's Chinatown-International District.
E haere mai! Purchase tickets at the door:
Powered by:   Huraiti Mana poses with Ori Fest Judge and Ori Tahiti leader Adelina Hanere after winning first place in the ages 23-27 category. Huraiti Mana made a splash at our very first trip to Ori Fest in Las Vegas, NV! Huraiti spent the night before the prestigious competition at the host Pupu Ori's studio, Tevakanui, for 4 hours of ori workshops with judges Tylon Buendia and Adelina Hanere. Their spirit, wisdom, and love for ori Tahiti was palpable, and it was an evening spent among so many talented and passionate dancers. Tylon reminded us that we dance in competitions to not only compete but to meet others and to share in this love we have for Ori Tahiti! We continue to learn and grow, together. Adelina showed us the power we have as strong women in ori Tahiti - a theme that found its way into the forces of the competition itself! After a hard fought Ori Tahiti first and final round, I was fortunate to bring home first place in ages 23-27 category, celebrating a first-ever win for our Huraiti Mana! Taking first in another age category was none other than my own Ra'atira from (previously) Ma'ohi Nui of O'ahu and now currently Ra'atira of Ali'itasi of Utah, Agnes Manuma! For the first time in over a decade since moving from O'ahu and last seeing each other, I was honored to dance onstage alongside Agnes! But for the first time ever, we were competing together for the Overall Grand Prize! Along with renowned dancer Melanie Amen, the three of us tied for Overall. We were asked to dance again - and this time, with a surprise theme! The theme: Toa Hine. It was a battle of strength, knowledge, and passion. After such a powerful performance, my ra'atira Agnes took home the grand champion overall prize! I'm so proud to have learned from her and owe so much to her for my love and strength in ori Tahiti. Mauruuru e Agnes! Can't wait to see you again at the next competition. She truly is the embodiment of toa hine. A woman warrior. I'm so proud of our huraiti Katie & Eci for competing in such a challenging and exciting competition. They inspire me and motivate me to continue working and to represent Huraiti Mana to the very best of my ability. Their fire and strength empowered me throughout the night. All my love & aloha to their dedication, perseverance, and strength. Together, we all are toa hine! Haere mua!
 A heartfelt and thoughtful welcome home - Huraiti Mana throws a surprise "Happy First Place" party after our return from Ori Fest 2019! I am so blessed to have such a sweet 'ohana!  Aloha all!
If you are or know "teaching artists with an exceptional talent for helping young people feel fully alive through rhythm -- as expressed in music and movement," apply for the Jubilation Foundation Fellowship grant, today! Jubilation Foundation is a part of the Tides Foundation. They value community, connection, and joy and believe that movement and music and promote well-being in an individual and community. I was a fellow for the 2017-2018 year and the grant is now open for the 2019-2020 year. Applications are due January 15! I am forever grateful for the sustainability that this grant has provided, enabling me to continue my artistic practices as a means of personal fulfillment but also fulfilling my career endeavors as well. Mahalo nui loa to all who work tirelessly to support artists across the nation and with a focus in the Pacific Northwest at the Jubliation and Tides Foundations! E mālama pono, Kalei'okalani Matsui Online registration required for new dancers. All dancers are welcome at any level of experience! Please join us in celebrating our second birthday with a free month of dance classes for January 2019. Take your time to get comfortable with our warm-up routines, meet our community of dancers, and become a part of our ori 'ohana. Feel free to share with family and friends!  |
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