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To our fēti'i, our 'ohana, our family: Our Fa'a'ori 2020 has been cancelled as we continue to monitor closely the effects of the pandemic across our communities. Awfully so, studies have shown that COVID19 infection rates are highest among Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian populations in Washington, Oregon, and California. While we are saddened by the cancellation of our event, we make the decision proudly and without doubt in order to best serve our people and our communities of Pacific Islanders and the greater Seattle area. Reminisce with us at last year's First Annual Fa'a'ori and the beautiful moments shared, the tears, the laughs, the 'ori 'ori! We continue, we remain resilient, we send our love.
Much mahalo to Hulala Living and 'Ori 'Ori Lympics for creating competition and community in a time when we thought we'd be left without both; a year full of what was at first full-stops and isolation has become a year of fulfilling change and collective connection (in many more ways than one!). We at Huraiti Mana have so gladly been a part of 'Ori 'Ori Lympic online and the very many workshops that have led us to learn and grow from the leaders in our 'Ori Community as well as reconnect with FÄ“ti'i around the world and our collective aroha for the 'Ori Tahiti. Truly, mÄuruuru to Hulala Living and judges Tahia Cambet of O Tahiti Nui and Hinatea Colombani of Ari'oi Cultural Center for your kindness, warmth & 'ite.
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! Māuruuru again to all who joined in our fundraising efforts for Dance Against Discrimination with Huraiti Mana that took place July 13, 2020, virtually. So appreciative and honored to have shared space and time with all of you.
Together in our combined efforts of generosity and love have raised OVER $900 for Black Women's Blueprint! And donations were also made to The Okra Project. We almost doubled our original goal of $500! Manuia! May we continue, together, in serving our underrepresented, marginalized, and targeted communities. Huraiti Mana for Black Lives Matter. All who have joined us are welcomed as our 'ori sisters, 'ori brothers, 'ori siblings & fēti'i. For Huraiti Mana, once we dance together, we our 'ori family, always. Huraiti Mana welcomes you, thanks you, lifts our hands up to you. E fa'aitoito! Centering: A reminder of why we’re here. Source for Black Women’s Blueprint honoring Black Women lost to violence WE CONTINUE TO SAY HER NAME
May these women and too many more, rest in love, in peace, in eternal remembrance. May no further women ever suffer what these women have suffered. May no further young girls ever have to face the world with fear. May we end violence against Black women and girls, today, now, and forevermore.
All classes are held online via the free ZOOM app.
Mondays 6:30-7:30PM Tu'ura'a - Basics (all ages)
Wednesday 5:30-6:30PM Tama (5-11yrs)
Wednesday 6:30-7:30PM Pa'ari (12+yrs)
Friday 6:00 - 7:00PM Itoito - 'Ori Tahiti Solo Choreo & Freestyle (All Ages)
Our classes are very welcoming as a place of passionate work, much laughter, and shared stories. Come every Wednesday and give yourself time to learn the basic steps, our practice routine, and the language. E ha'amana ma'atou! Questions? Email huraitimana@gmail.com 'Ia ora na! I am Kalei'okalani Matsui, Ra'atira a Ha'api'i of Huraiti Mana, our Polynesian Dance Troupe based in Seattle, WA. Leaders in the 'ori community, Leolani Gallardo and Christine Apa from Pupu 'Ori Te Aho Nui (based in California) began Dance Against Discrimination, a movement encouraging dance instructors to host donation-based virtual classes to raise funds for organizations lifting up Black lives. As a survivor myself of sexual violence, a daughter of a strong Black woman, and a mana vahine seeking to create a greater difference in this world for women, I chose an organization empowering Black Women and survivors of sexual assault. My initial search led me to the Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs, which listed Black Women's Blueprint as a culturally specific resource.
Join Huraiti Mana as we raise funds to support Black Women's Blueprint (BWB), an organization that fights to end sexual violence against Black Women and Girls. BWB's purpose is to take action to secure social, political and economic equality for Every Black Woman in American Society now. Event: 'Ori Tahiti workshop Date: Monday, July 13, 2020 Time: 6:00 - 7:30PM PDT How-to Register Online
You MUST register by 7/13/20 at 4pm PDT to ensure you receive the zoom info before class! Link in bio! (If you don't have a gmail address, please email us huraitimana@gmail.com) *To donate to Black Women's Blueprint:
You may also support another activist organization of your choice that is actively fighting racism or a nonprofit that is supporting Black lives If you have any issues with this form please DM @huraitimana on Instagram. Remember, you do not have to participate in the dance workshop itself, but we would love to have you participate in raising funds together, for the cause! Also, I will be able to send a link of the class recording so you can participate later! Fa'aitoito! 
Northwest Folklife 2020 went virtual, as so many gatherings have this year, providing opportunity for artists of the Pacific Northwest to share out anything they wanted - a workshop, choreography, story-telling, their laughter and knowledge, their passion and expression - on a virtual stage. A special māuruuru to the community folks who so kindly and so generously donated to Huraiti Mana! Your donations go toward cultural learning opportunities for our students such as attending workshops with other professionals and travel fees, as well as competition registration fees and more!
How Māui Captured the Sun
. In old Hawai'i, the nights were long, and the days were short. Days were so short, that fruit did not have time to ripen and the kapa clothing did not have enough time to dry. Led by the fierce women in his family, Polynesia's favorite demigod, Māui, embarks on a journey to slow the sun's descent across the Hawaiian sky. Join 'Anakē Kalei of Huraiti Mana along with Story Time @winglukemuseum as she shares with us her performance rendition of, "How Māui Captured the Sun." . Enjoy this mo'olelo and more in young toddler board book editions distributed by Bess Press. These board books are available as gift sets at the Wing Luke Museum online Marketplace. Sold while supplies last. Email marketplace@wingluke.org for more detail. For more stories and dance by 'Anakē Kalei, check @huraitimana IG videos! Huraiti Mana hosted a Stay At Home lei-making workshop after a month of closures that continue through the COVID-19 pandemic. To connect together and celebrate community, while also promoting safety for all our huraiti, we hosted an online lei workshop with supplies found in-home! Traditionally made using lā'ī or ti-leaf, we created haku lei po'o (woven with three-ply braid, worn around the head) with paper bags & trash bags! Though we didn't have the ease of in-person teaching to learn this new skill, many of the huraiti completed their first-ever haku lei! We shared in many mo'olelo of lei-making, the stories behind the traditions, and shared in oli (chants). E ho'omaika'i, congratulations to everyone who joined and challenged themselves creatively & artistically during this time. A hui hou! Until we meet again!
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