Hinakura Soloist Tahitian Dance Costume

Ancient legends of Tahiti depict Hinakura as a striking and beautiful young maiden who married the equally handsome Tane Nui. The celebration was an historical event that united the people of Tahiti. This costume, created by our featured artisan Tahia Parker, a former "Hinakura" herself, showcases the vibrant colors and details that typically go into making a premier soloists' costume.

Here is her most recent version of the Hinakura costume. It is themed to the ocean and features many different shells and textures to represent the oceans many different moods. The costume is made using a shell lined headband, a beautiful oversized polished mother-of-pearl shell, rooster feathers and sprigs of feather bunches on coconut frond midribs. The headdress is completed with a shower of white shell leis hung at each side draping across the chest.

A matching colored bandeau bra top is included and is easily tied in the back. The hipband is designed to accentuate the back-and-forth of the hip movements. With a matching pareu, the hipband is layered on top leaving the front open. Not only does this allow for forward leg movements but also gives just enough weight to the belt. Adding a more or hau skirt underneath the hipband, creates for a more formal look.

The costume is made to order and strives to stay traditional. However, modern conveniences such as velcro, machine sewing, crafters glue and metal hooks allow for quick changes and durability. In addition to an ocean theme, there are many others that she creates including wind, volcano, fire, goddess, black pearl, beauty, rain, tiare, and royalty.

Tahia themes the Hinakura Soloist Tahitian Dance Costume to the colors requested. Each are a work of art and accentuate the soloists' most dramatic presentations. Prices start from $325. Average production time is 2-4 weeks.

Bonus Trivia: Tahia was one of the first girls to portray Hinakura at the Polynesian Cultural Center's Horizons evening show.

Samoan Lauhala Rolls

We just received an order of the Samoan lauhala. The Samoan lauhala rolls are a little smaller in diameter than our Tahitian lauhala and as such, have a great new lower price as well ($50).

The lauhala roll, or laufala, as it is known in Samoa, is made of approximately 60 leaves. The leaves are soft and pliable suitable for weaving, costumes and crafting projects.

Traditionally the women collected the dried leaves from the pandanus tree. They then stripped the thorns off, cleaned the leaves, and formed large rolls which made for easy storage. Starting a project, the women would pull lauhala leaves from the roll, shred them to the desired widths and weave them into various patterns and projects.

Each leaf is approximately 39 inches (1 meter) and averages about 2 1/2 inches in width. Imported. Product of Samoa.

The differences between the Samoan and the Tahitian rolls are minor. Both come from the local Pandanus trees found throughout the South Pacific islands. Both are stripped of thorns and softened in water (mostly in the ocean) to also clean the leaves. Later they are dried, flattened and gathered into rolls.

But we have noticed that they do have a slight difference in color. We've found that the Tahitian lauhala has a more golden tone. Whereas the Samoan lauhala has a greener tint to it. Other than that, we haven't noticed any significant differences.

Depending on how and where you store your rolls, humidity and light might also become a factor. Many of the projects that we have done or have seen have used the leaves quickly. The leaves have been soft and pliable and generally great to work with. Leaving the leaves for a long period of time will result in a difference in color (more brown).

Heiva I Honolulu 2010 program reprinted

Now available on our website for a limited time. This is a special second run of the 2010 Heiva I Honolulu program with a new glossy UV coating on the cover. The initial first run sold out early Saturday morning.

In case you didn't see it, the 32 page program was in full color cover to cover. Each group received at least a half page and had a summary of their program and/or information about their group. Contact information was posted (if provided) and at least 1 photo of the group and/or the ra'atira of the group. Sponsors, vendors, judges, mc's and support staff also received space on the program. Additional information such as the previous years' soloists awards, soloist criteria, group criteria, a Tahitian legend, and information about the organization, cover information, previous year photos and scoring information were also included.

It is a great way to remember the event and is a valuable resource of information about Tahitian dance. All of the groups did well, and as a spectator, I enjoyed watching each and every group. I thank you for sharing your time, talent and stories.