Meet our Judges

Camelia Temanaha

Camelia Temanaha was born and raised in Tahiti and began dancing Ori Tahiti at a very young age, in 1982 she moved to Hawaii along side her husband Tyrone Temanaha.
She began dancing, singing and mastering Pahu Drum with Te Vai Ura Nui. Today, Aunty Camelia has choreographed songs and dances in Polynesia, Japan and the U.S Mainland. Passionate about her Tahitian heritage, and culture.
Aunty Camelia believes that tradition tells a colorful story about life, love, and their enduring relationship with nature.

Healani Kimitete-Ah Mow

Healani was born in La'ie, Island of Oahu and now resides in beautiful Waikoloa, Hawai'i Island. Entertainment and Polynesian Culture played a huge role on my family lives.  Growing up at a very early age, surrounded with beautiful music and sounds of the drums, ori tahit, conversations in "te reo maohi" along with stories of Pasifika the Marquesas islands where my Dad is originally from, Tahitian my Mom side, and also Hawaiian where I was born. 
Through watching the dance.  So blessed to be raised in such a rich culture and well diverse life style. I grew up only knowing Tahitian culture in my family.  Today, I am so blessed to have both cultures  (Tahitian and Hawaiian) that I am proud to share. I've performed and competed in several Tahiti Fete's during Bastille Festivals in Pape'ete, Tahiti, along side two well-known legacies in French Polynesian Culture and in Ori Tahiti with my Tatie Louise Kimitete known to be called "Mamie Louise" and also with Coco Hotahota. I've also competed in the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival here in beautiful Moku o Keawe, Hilo under the Direction of Na Kumu Hula Nani Lim-Yap and Leialoha Lim-Amina, "Hula Halau Na Lei o Kaholoku, Waimea, Hawai'i Island.  Overall hula halau Winner's consecutive times in Hula Kahiko and Hula Auana in the late 90's and early - mid 2000. 
I have Uniki graduated in 2012, I gracefully hold a title of Kumu Hula for over 14 years.  These are my two passions today with Ori Tahiti and its culture as well as Hula, education, knowledge and sharing mo'olelo stories of our Tupuna so that their mo'olelo stories will live on for our future generations to come.Besides my love and passion for Ori Tahiti and Hula, I come from a long line of great ocean warriors.  Along side of my 'Ohana Kimitete, we are the next generations that will hapai, carry on the rich tradition's of Hoe Va'a, canoe paddling and the ways of life of the Ocean Sea.  My parents Pierre and Augustine Kimitete, they've formed a well-known canoe club in Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i called Kai' Ehitu Outrigger Canoe Club.  Under the umbrella of Moku o Hawai'i Association for well over 44 years.  With my Mom the matriarch of the family, my three brothers Robert, Richard, Teiki and my sister Puamaile and I are the overseers' for our canoe club today. 

Charlie Temanaha

Charlie was raised in a musical family in Papeete, Tahiti. After moving to California and Hawai'i in the 60's, he continued to play Tahitian music along his love for soccer. He met his wife Cathy at the Hawaiian Hut Theater Restaurant where they performed for almost ten years under the direction of Kalo Mataele. Durting that time, their desire to portray Tahitian culture in it's more natural state was sparked.
In 1987, they started their own group, Te Vai Ura Nui. In addition to performing all over Hawaii, they have also taught music and dance on the Mainland, Japan, and Mexico.

Leiisa Case

LeiIsa Case is an accomplished Ori Tahiti artist with over 25 years of experience. Trained under the respected Pupu Ori, Hiva Katoa and Nonosina. She then later assisted in teaching and choreographing award-winning solos. In 2018, LeiIsa moved to Tahiti to study under Tiare Trompette of Hei Tahiti and competed in the prestigious Heiva I Tahiti. As a celebrated soloist and costume designer, she has earned multiple 1st place and Overall titles, including Best Costume.
Her recent achievements include 2nd Place at the Ori Tahiti Nui World Championships (2022) and 1st Place Overall Vahine Soloist at Heiva I Hawaii (2023).
She now runs a successful online Ori school (HIVA I TE RA'I)with over 100 students worldwide.