Maui Tahiti Fete Backdrop for Hoopii Music Video
Tahitian Dancer. Photo by Alaskan Dude.
By Sonia Isotov
Something special has been added to this year’s 14th annual Maui Polynesian Tahiti Fete at the War Memorial Gymnasium starting on Friday, August 12, and running through Sunday, August 14.
This year marks the first time when evening concerts will be added to open the dance and drumming competition.
On Friday, a local island group calling themselves, “Super Dub Tribe” will take to the stage at 8 p.m., and on Saturday, Mele Pono and Grammy winner, Uncle Richard Hoopii will perform starting at 7 p.m.
Affectionately known as “Uncle Richard” by so many, Richard Hoopii will be singing some of his signature tunes in falsetto as well as playing the ukulele.
Uncle Richard will take a break from 8 p.m. until 9 p.m. and the group Mele Pono will perform their songs and crowd favorites.
At 9 p.m. the entire gym will serve as the concert backdrop for the filming of three upcoming music videos by Mele Pono and Richard Hoopii.
To close the evening’s concerts, Richard Hoopii will do one final song as a moving tribute to his brother, the late Solomon Hoopii who passed away 5 years ago.
Over center stage, Solomon will appear on the big screen above as his brother Richard will join him in the spectacular duet. The effect is to inspire the “chicken skin” effect to those in attendance as this type of staging is familiar to many who have witnessed this last in the tearful video montage of “In The Ghetto” by Elvis Presley with his daughter Lisa Marie; and with the memorable “Unforgettable” with Nat King Cole, and his daughter, Natalie.
Tickets for the Saturday concert is $15 in advance and $20 at the door.
Tickets to the annual Tahiti Fete, “Heiva I Maui” dance and drumming competition is set at $10 in advance and $15 at the door.
For more event information, call Lolita Eugenio, cakk (808) 250-0737, or email: heivaimaui@yahoo.com/eugeniololtia
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