Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 4, 1 ʻApelila 1987 — Aloha Pumehana O Polynesia [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Aloha Pumehana O Polynesia

Waipahu Halau Sweeps Keiki Tahiti Fete Honors

Jeremiah and Contessa Auhealani Gualdarama, a brother and sister entry from Ewa Beach, compiled the highest number of individual points to win the respective titles of Master Keiki Ori Tahiti and Miss Keiki Ori Tahiti in the second annual Keiki Tahiti Fete Mar. 14 before 1,500 spectators at Stephen McCabe gym on the St. Louis School campus. Presented by the non-profit Kalihi-Palama Culture and Arts Society Ine. and co-sponsored by UTA French Airlines and the St. Louis Hui O Na Opio, the hip-shak-ing event was supported in part by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts for the purpose of stimulating an interest and awareness of Hawaii's Polynesian affiliation with the peoples of Tahiti. Ironically, the Gualdarama children are taught by another brother and sister combination in twins Denise Kia Ramento and Dennis Kia. Together they run a hula halau called Aloha Pumehana O Polynesia of Waipahu. The Gualdaramas are students at Ewa Beach Elementary School. Aloha Pumehana O Polynesia, whieh swept all honors in last year's competition held at smaller Damien Memorial High School gymnasium, repeated on Mar. 14 by grabbing first plaee in all categories. They won group honors in both the vahine and tane categories, thereby capturing two free roundtrip UTA French Airlines tickets to Tahiti and a beautifully carved pahu drum donated by Jack and Cha Thompson. A total of five halau entered the competition, eaeh one resplendent in its own costumes. Overall winner in this category in both vahine and tane otea divisions was Aloha Pumehana O Polynesia. Contestants ranged in agejiQm 5 tc>42_and broken down into two age groups-V 5-8|tnq 9-12) Youngest winner was Joseph Guzman in the tane b-K solo group.~" At age 6, he is a first grader at Pearl City Highlands Elementary School and was another dancer from the stable of Aloha Pumehana O Polynesia. Wendell Silva, executive director of the Kalihi-Pala- / ma Culture and Arts Societv. turned in another fluid performance as(master of ceremonies jp keeping up i with the fast-paced Peat ofVthe pertormers and their 1 accompanyii>g drum-'oeatingN ftbrVt) \\JUU^ The complete results. Master Keiki Ori Tahiti -Jeremiah Gualdarama, Aloha Pumehana O Polynesia. Miss Keiki Ori Tahiti— Contessa Auhealani Gualdarama, Aloha Pumehana O Polynesia. Otea Division, Vahine Group 1. Aloha Pumehana O Polynesia, Denise Ramento and Dennis Kia. 2. Ato'oi Marama (Kauai), Kapu Kinimaka Alquiza. 3. Keolalaulani Halau Olapa O Laka (Kaneohe), Aloha and Cioci Dalire. Otea Division. Tane 1. Aloha Pumehana O Polynesia. 2. Tamarii Tiare Tahiti (Laie), Rene Tetuanui. Ori Tahiti Division Vahine 9-12 1. Contessa Auhealani Gualdarama. 2. Kaleinani Shin, Keolalaulani Halau Olapa O Laka. 3. Pilialoha E Kuumaka Laniohan, Ato'oi Marama. Tane 9-12 1. Jeremiah Gualdarama. 2. Kaleo Kalani Teriipaia, Tamarii Tiare Tahiti. Ori Tahiti Divsion Vahine 5-8 1. Ananne Kapuanani Villanueva, Aloha Pumehana

O Polynesia. 2. Kanoe O Kalani Cabral, Ato'oi Marama. 3. Keli Lau, Keolaulani Halau Olapa O Laka. Tane 5-8 1. Joseph Guzman, Aloha Pumehana O Polynesia. 2. David Vincent Galeai, Tamarii Tiare Tahiti. In addition to the halau mentioned, another entry eame from the Kaneohe-Kahaluu area under the instruction of Shona Lam Ho. Ho'omaka'i Hula Studio, a little smaller in numbers than the other four, were nonetheless big in spirit and enthusiasm. They entered just one

group in the otea vahine and one in eaeh of the solo categories. Eaeh of the solo performers received miniature engraved monkeypod bowls while the big winners were presented with trophies donated by several individuals and organizations. Judges were Ellen Castillo, Hu'i Park, Etua Tahauri and Cha Thompson. The judges participated in the presentation of awards and also danced en masse with all the five groups in a brilliant display of color, fellowship and sharing.

Master Keiki Ori Tahiti Jeremiah Gualdarama is just barely as tall as his trophy. Here he is shown with two of the judges, Hu'i Park at left and Cha Thompson.

Contessa Auhealani Gualdarama and her Miss Keiki Ori Tahiti trophy along with contest judges Hu'i Park, Etua Tahauri, Ellen Castillo and Cha Thompson.

■■■ ■■■■ mim wm Giving final instructions to kumu hula of participating halau in the second annual Keiki Tahiti Fete is Wendell Silva, executive director of the Kalihi-Palama Culture and Arts Soceity whieh staged the event. From left to right front row on bleachers are Rene Tetuanui, Tamarii Tiare Tahiti; Aloha Dalire, Keolalaulani Halau Olapa O Laka; Kapu Kinimaka Alquiza, Ato'oi Marama; Shona Lam Ho, Ho'omaika'i Hula Studio; and Denise Kia Ramento, Aloha Pumehana O Polynesia. In second row from left are Cicoi Dalire, Keolalaulani Halau Olapa O Laka, and Dennis Kia, twin brother of Denise Kia Ramento.