PACIFIC SUPERHEROES

NA MAMO O HALOA OF KAUA’I WIN 9th ANNUAL TE MANAHUA MAORI CULTURAL COMPETITION by Louisa Te’i

Laie, Hawaii (August 9, 2008) – It may be winter in Aotearoa, but the warm Hawaiian sun was welcoming today at the Polynesian Cultural Center’s (PCC) 9th Annual Te Manahua Maori Cultural Competition. From across the state and the world, Maori groups came together to share in the songs and dances of their ancestors at the PCC’s Pacific Theater with more than 100 performers participating. The sun shined especially bright for Na Mamo O Haloa of Hanapepe, Kaua’i who was named the overall winner of the competition.

“The raw emotion of the performers leaves a lasting impression on everyone who attends and when you look around you can see tears in their eyes,” said Rahira Makekau, organizer of the festival. “This festival is about the wairua, or spirit of the Maori culture and when these groups perform, you can see the intensity on their faces and hear it in their voices. It is especially moving to witness groups from around the world coming together to celebrate, share and perpetuate the Maori heritage.”

Local and international competitors commanded attention with their vivacious and moving chants and dances from Aotearoa. In the spirit of sharing and camaraderie, audience members and local Maori groups congratulated visiting groups – Ngati Ranana from London, England and Te Rerearangi from Sydney, Australia – with haka following their performances.

Beginning last year, this whakataetae (competition) alternates between youth and adult competitions – with the adults taking the stage this year. Groups were judged on the creativity of its kakahu (attire), and the demeanor of the manukura wahine (female leaders) and manukura tane (male leaders). Each group was also judged on whakaeke (entrance), moteatea (traditional chanting), waiata-a-ringa (action songs), waiata hou (original song compositions), poi (graceful implement twirling dance), haka (male posture dance) and their whakawatea (exit).

9th Annual Te Manahua Maori Cultural Competition Results

Participating Groups
1. Te Rerearangi – Sydney, Australia
2. Te Rangatahi – Kapolei, Hawaii
3. Na Mamo O Haloa – Kauai
4. Ngati Ranana – London, England
5. Te Hokioi – Laie, Hawaii

Overall Winners
1. Na Mamo O Haloa – Hanapepe, Kauai
2. Te Hokioi – Laie, Hawaii
3. Ngati Ranana – London, England

Non-Aggregate Category
Kakahu (costume)
Na Mamo O Haloa

Te Reo (language/expression)
Te Hokioi

Manukura Wahine (female leader)
Na Mamo O Haloa

Manukura Tane (male leader)
Te Hokioi – Iraia Bailey

Aggregate Category Results
Whakaeke (entrance)
1. Na Mamo O Haloa
2. Te Hokioi
3. Ngati Ranana

Moteatea (chant)
1. Te Hokioi
2. Na Mamo O Haloa
3. Ngati Ranana

Waiata Ringa (action song)
1. Na Mamo O Haloa
2. Te Hokioi
3. Te Rerearangi

Poi
1. Na Mamo O Haloa
2. Te Hokioi
3. Ngati Ranana

Haka
1. Te Hokioi
2. Ngati Ranana
3. Na Mamo OO Haloa

Whakawatea (exit)
1. Na Mamo O Haloa
2. Te Hokioi
3. Ngati Ranana