08/04/2026
What an incredible way to kick off August! 🌺❤️
This past weekend, 10 of our dancers — Kalani DeLosSantos, Sara Medellin, Isabelle Emerich, Ezra Silagan, Jacquelyn Andaya, Kaedyn Biltz, Jayce Biltz, Vivian Baer, Aaliyah Herrera, and Teacher Ariel Garcia — represented No Te Here O Te Hiro'a at Heiva San Diego, and we couldn't be prouder.
Friday began with the Mehura/Aparima categories where Sara, Jacquelyn, and Ariel gave beautiful performances. We also had the chance to celebrate our beloved matriarch, Linda Kuma, on her birthday, making an already special day even more memorable. Saturday brought solo preliminaries, and seeing Sara, Ezra, Kaedyn, Jayce, Aaliyah and Vivian all advance to BOTH Semi-Finals and Finals was such an exciting moment!
On Sunday, we had the opportunity to watch some incredible group performances, including Ezra Silagan and Teacher Ari Ojeda performing with Pupu Ori Ha'ai under the direction of Tylon Buendia and Rina Brenner. Mahalo, Ty and Rina, for welcoming them into such an amazing production, and congratulations to the entire group on your outstanding placements, including the Overall Mana Award!
A huge congratulations to our solo tāne, Jayce Biltz and Kaedyn Biltz! 🏆 Jayce earned 1st Place, while Kaedyn, competing for the very first time, took home 2nd Place. We are so proud of both of you and grateful to Teacher Kolei for helping guide them on their 'Ori Tahiti journey.
Mahalo to all of our parents, family, and friends who cheered us on both in San Diego and from home, and to our amazing teachers for the love, dedication, and guidance they pour into our students every step of the way.
Here's to an unforgettable start to August! ❤️🌺