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TE HOKIOI WINS SENIOR DIVISION OF THE PCC’S 5th ANNUAL WHAKATAETAE MAORI SONG AND DANCE COMPETITION Laie’s Te Roopu O Tumanako Takes The Junior Division Title Laie, HI – (March 28, 2004) – The Polynesian Cultural Center highlighted the Maori culture this weekend with the fifth annual Whakataetae Maori Song and Dance Competition. Laie’s Te Hokioi was the champion of the weekend in the senior division. Led by Seamus Fitzgerald, the group placed tops in all but one category including moteatea (chanting), waiata ringa (action song), poi balls, haka, and whakawatea (exit). “We are so proud to represent our culture in this competition,” said Fitzgerald. “It’s such an honor to share our traditions with others and support the other groups. There’s a lot of great talent out there.” Another Laie group, Te Roopu O Tumanako, took the junior division, winning three of the six categories. 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. Riana Mataira won the junior division and John Smith took the senior division. The winners of each category were presented with monetary gifts, and overall winners also received a specially carved trophy. (see attached list of all winners) More than 1,500 people showed up over the weekend to share in the Maori cultural display. “The turnout was incredible,” said Ellen Gay Dela Rosa, senior manager for Hawaii sales and promotions at the PCC. “Each year this competition keeps growing and its such a pleasure to see so many enjoy learning about the culture.” To add to the festivities this year, Business and Leisure Holidays gave away a trip for two to New Zealand to take part in the Maori experience firsthand. Castle Chan Boon’s name was drawn as the lucky winner. Business and Leisure Holidays has specialized in South Pacific Travel for over 12 years, and continues to work with Air New Zealand on unique marketing campaigns throughout Hawaii. This is Business and Leisure Holidays’ first year as a sponsor of the PCC’s annual Whakataetae Maori Song and Dance Competition. Founded in 1963 as a non-profit organization, the PCC has entertained more than 30 million visitors by preserving and portraying the spirit, culture and people of Polynesia to the rest of the world. More important is the mission of the PCC, which supports the educational mission of Brigham Young University-Hawai‘i and provides an extension of the classroom in a workplace setting. Since its establishment, the PCC has employed more than 12,000 BYU-Hawai‘i students. As a non-profit organization, 100 percent of the PCC’s revenue is used for daily operations and to support the students who earn their tuition, room and board, and books. The PCC also provides significant financial support to elementary and secondary schools and to college students attending institutions of their choice besides BYU-Hawai‘i. 5th Annual Whakataetae Results Te
Korero: Senior
Division Results: Non-Aggregate
Category Senior
Division Results: Category
Results Junior Division Chant
(moteatea): Action
Song (waiata ringa): Poi
Balls: Haka: Whakawatea
(exit): Category
Results Senior Division Chant
(moteatea): Action
Song (waiata ringa): Poi
Balls: Haka: Whakawatea
(exit): Overall
Winners Senior
Division
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