NOURISHING OUR FUTURE
BY PERPETUATING OUR HERITAGE
VALUES
RESPECT, INTEGRITY, ALOHA
Our Story
Founded in 2011 as Ora Nui Tahitian Dance Troupe, Polynesian sister duo, Roxie & Charlie, opened their 'Ori Tahiti studio to share and perpetuate the Tahitian culture with communities across the Pacific Northwest. In 2021, the sisters stepped down as the group's leaders and passed the torch to Roxie's daughter, Mika. With the change in leadership, also came a new name - Anavai O Te Ora, "the river of life." The mana continues its flow from ancestors to current leaders, and onward to future generations. Through our efforts, our cultures live on; nourishing our future by perpetuating our heritage.
OUR LEADERS
Ra'atira
Mika Milne
Mika has been immersed and training in Polynesian arts since she was 2 years old, dancing beside her momma at Tahitian and Hula practices. In 2020, after receiving the blessing of her ra'atira, Mika was passed down the leadership role of Ora Nui. It was her time, as the next generation, to guide, to teach, and to perpetuate her culture. With the change in leadership came a new name as well - Anavai O Te Ora "the river of life."
Her dance background in Polynesian dancing and arts is extensive.
Tahitian - 17 years
Agnes Manuma (Matila) aka Aggie - Ali'itasi
Mervin Lilo & Pua Baker - Maohi Nui
Maurakau & Kapa Haka (Maori Martial Arts) - 2 years
Matua Makekau - Te Fare Tu Taua O Aotearoa Toi Hawaiki
Fireknife - 2 years
Natalie Oloa - Mauga Mu
Siva Samoa - 1 year
Tusisaleia Hope Pomele - Salei'a Dance
Hula - 13 years (officially)
Mom
Noheanani Pa - Ka Pa Olapa O Na Pua Kukui
She is determined to see her cultures thriving and being represented correctly in the future. She loves teaching and is dedicated to educating the community about Pacific Island cultures through music and dance.​ It is her big dream to one day have a space where Pacific Island youth can reconnect to their roots and find community. A place with ALOHA as its foundation, just like her great grandma and grandpa raised her with.
Pehe Master
"Uncle" Mitch Asuncion
While we consider him another ra'atira, he doesn't like us calling him that. We are honored to have Uncle Mitch sharing his knowledge and the Tahitian culture with us.
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Born and raised in Kuli'ou'ou Hawai'i, Uncle Mitch has over 30 years of drumming knowledge and experience. During these years he had the opportunity to train with top Tahitian drumming masters from Tahiti, Phillipe Tetua and Timmi Taupua as well as others.
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He also has learned from well known prestigious musicians from Hawai’i (Boy Temanaha, Kevin Kama and Keali’i Bush).
A lot of Te Ite (knowledge) was also taught to him by his brother Anthony Manaois (Ote’a Api / Turereura)
He has drummed with groups from
Hawai’i and California (Te Vai Ura Nui, Tamatoa, and still performs with his Ohana group Ote’a Api / Turereura.)
Mitch has also traveled internationally to Japan and Mexico to perform and partake in workshops and house drumming for various Tahitian competitions.
He says he will always be a student of Tahitian Drumming and thrives to pass on to others what was passed down to him.
“Drumming has no secrets but it’s your responsibility to preserve what I teach you and pass it on to those who are willing to learn. But you need to practice practice practice in order to better yourself Per: Timmi Taupua”
Anavai O Te Ora….. Mua
Art Director
Roxie "Tevai" Morales
While hula will forever be her first love, Ora Nui's former ra'atira, Roxie aka "Tevai" by many, has been dancing and teaching 'Ori Tahiti for over 20 years.
Like many keiki growing up in Hawai'i, Roxie first learned hula at home from family members. She instantly fell in love with the music, the movements, and the stories. This drove her to find her first kumu, Aunty Kapi'olani of Halau Ke Kia'i A O Hula where she spent most of her keiki years learning. However, it was dancing with Aunty Kau'i Serrao at Na Malama Polynesian Dance Studio that she expanded her knowledge into other Polynesian dance forms. She danced until torn ACL's in both knees forced her into retirement. She was able to compete one last time with her pupu ori Marania Haoragi in 2011 before hanging up her pareu to take on a different roll. With the blessing of her ra'atira Aunty Tahia Foster, Roxie moved to Washington where she opened Ora Nui Tahitian Dance Studio. With her sister, Charlie, the two kept the doors open for over 10 years before passing the torch to Roxie's daughter, Mika who now leads the group as Anavai O Te Ora.
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Hula - 15 years
Aunty Kapi'olani - Halau Ke Kia'i A O Hula
Kau'i Serrao - Na Malama Polynesian Dance Studio
Kau'ionalani Kamana'i - Hula Halau O Kamuela
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Tahitian (Dancing) - 15 years
Tahia & Makau Foster - Marania Haorangi/Tamariki Poerani
Agnes Manuma - Maohi Nui
Kau'i Serrao - Na Malama Polynesian Dance Studio
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Bachelor's in Hawaiian Studies from UH
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"Dance was and still is my life. Family and perpetuating our pacific island cultures mean everything to me. Mauruuru and mahalo for riding this river with us. Anavai... IMUA!"