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TE WANANGA MAORI O HAWAII WINS SENIOR DIVISION OF PCC’S 6th ANNUAL WHAKATAETAE MAORI SONG AND DANCE COMPETITION Laie’s Te Ropu O Tumanako Takes Junior Division Title Again Laie, HI – August 6, 2005 – The Maori culture of New Zealand was on display this weekend at the Polynesian Cultural Center’s sixth annual Whakataetae Maori Song and Dance Competition. It was a showdown in Laie as one hometown team took on another in a show of skill and grace. Te Wananga Maori O Hawaii captured the senior division title in a close competition with last year’s champion, Te Hokioi. Te Wananga Maori O Hawaii, led by Tama Halvorsen and Shannon Galeai, tied in all but two categories with Te Hokioi, led by Seamus Fitzgerald. Utah’s Ngati Hiona placed third in their first appearance in the annual competition. Another Laie group, Te Ropu O Tumanako, took the junior division for the second year in a row, winning five of the six categories. Kauai’s Kamanawa O Kauai placed second in their first appearance at the annual competition. The two divisions of competition were the Junior division for performers ages two through 13, and the Senior division for performers 14 years or older. Competition categories included: Whakaeke (Entrance), Moteatea (Chant), Haka, Poi Balls, and Whakawatea (Exit). In addition, there was a Te Korero (Maori Speech) competition on Friday. Teraki Onu was the overall winner in the senior division. There was no junior competition for Te Korero. The winners of each category were presented with monetary gifts, and overall winners also received a specially carved trophy. (see list of all winners below) Exhibition performances by two groups from New Zealand highlighted the festivities, including one by Te Aroha Nui, which has members of the original group of service missionaries who helped build the PCC in 1963. The group ranged in ages from 63 to 80 years old. Their performance was met with a standing ovation from the crowd and a chant of welcome and appreciation from one of the competition judges. The other group from New Zealand was Te Here A Maui, which is known for its participation in the Super 12 Competition in New Zealand that allows a mixture of styles and composition for unique performances. More than 3,000 people showed up over the weekend to share in the Maori cultural activities, including a special exhibition of Maori martial arts. “We’re so pleased that this competition has grown so much in the past six years,” said Ellen Gay Dela Rosa, senior manager for Hawaii sales and promotions at the PCC. “It was wonderful to have our exhibition groups here from New Zealand to share, as well as our new competitors from Kauai and Utah. I hope the interest continues to build and next year brings even more participants.” Judges for this year’s competition were Robert Ruha, Priscilla Beach, Kiri Horua, Paora Sharples, Kim Makekau, and Rahira Makekau. Founded in 1963 as a non-profit organization, the PCC has entertained more than 31 million visitors while preserving and portraying the culture, arts, and crafts of Polynesia to the rest of the world. In addition, the PCC has provided financial assistance to 14,000 young people from more than 70 different countries while they have attended Brigham Young University-Hawai‘i. As a non-profit organization, all funds generated by the PCC are used for its daily operations and to support its cultural and educational missions. ###
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   © 2005 Polynesian Cultural Center. All rights reserved. |
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