Huraiti Mana at Heiva i San Francisco 2020!

We at Huraiti Mana extend our sincerest gratitude to Nemenzo for creating the first virtual Heiva i San Francisco 2020 with esteemed judges Matatini Mou (Best Female Dancer, Heiva i Tahiti 2019), Tiana Liufau (Director of Nonosina), and Hinatea Colombani of The Ari'oi Cultural Center of Tahiti! The event was filled with love for and celebration of a beautiful legacy, culture, history, tradition, and people! Some for their first time, we entered 3 of our huraiti! And we are so warmed and humbled to receive 2nd in Premier 26-35yrs and 1st in the unique Hō'ē Tu'ura'a 'Āvae challenge! Māuruuru for providing us this opportunity of challenge & growth as well as resilience of culture in these times. So much cultural connectivity in this 'ori Tahiti community while we are physically apart. 

Above: Tumu parau: Kalei'okalani was inspired by poet and defender of culture Patrick Araia Amaru and his poem titled "Te Hiro'a e te Iho Tumu," Culture and Identity. Kalei'okalani searches for her culture and origins, calling upon the fenua, the tupuna, the atua, grasping for any 'ite, any knowledge of the past. And through this search for identity, she discovers that her lineage lives within her, her sacred ā'au. 

The above was a unique and innovative Tu'ura'a Hō'ē 'Āvae challenge as a part of Heiva i San Francisco! The Tāmau and the Fa'arapu are the two core basics of which all other tu'ura'a are extensions and variations. Tāmau means consistently or constantly and is the core of 'āfata, 'amaha, tā'iri toma (toma toma, tā'iri piti), etc. Fa'arapu, meaning to mix or stir, is your core for tūmami, tāhapeape, and other circular motions.

We chose Tāmau. Steps included: tā'iri, 'āfata, 'amaha, hue, toma toma (teki, raro), 'ōtamu, tatu'e

Tumu parau: Kalei'okalani is a survivor of sexual assault and likens her story, and the story of far too many, to that of the tumu, the tree or source. She admires the tumu for its strength and life-giving property, its growth and its beauty. And though a tree's body may be cut, maimed, and nearly destroyed, she wills the power to grow again, her far-reaching branches extended to the skies.

Heiva i San Francisco was our first virtual competition! Katie entered with an 'ōte'a dedicated to te va'a, the voyaging canoe, and the travels of Polynesians across the Pacific. Krystine's tumu parau (source/theme) was nehenehe, or Vahine Purotu, the beauty of women. 'Ua te'ote'o tātou ia 'ōrua!