The Waimea College kapa, Tama Tū Tama Ora, has its sight set on a cultural exchange to Hawaii in October, but first has to fundraise a massive $200,000 to make the journey.
Up to 40 students and 10 adults hope to turn their plans into reality so they can connect with Pacific relations in Hawaii, share their culture and explore places of cultural significance.
The group is using events such as a hangi at Matariki, bake sales and performance evenings to raise funds and now it has started a Givealittle page as well to help it reach that goal of $200,000 which is what is needed for airfares, accommodation and all the associated costs of the trip.
Senior Tama Tū Tama Ora students who have been participating for several years say the group has gone from strength to strength over the years with a mix of cultural backgrounds including Cook Island, Tongan, Samoan, Fijian, Māori and Pākehā.
“We were looking back on one of our performances,” Kasaea Pilo says.
“And there was only a few of us on stage and this last year we had bigger numbers and we were louder on stage.”
Hine Tūtapu says the group is also more recognised by other students in the school nowadays who want to see their performances.
“It’s been amazing and we’ve really stepped up as a group,” she says. “There wasn’t a massive foundation for kapa haka when we started at school, so it’s really amazing to see us come this far and planning this trip.”
Along with Dominique Takimoana, the trio are the schools culture captains who also support the school’s first two Pou Herenga Waka, or essentially, Māori head students, Tyler Eggers and Ezra Tōpine.
Tama Tū Tama Ora will head to Kamehameha High School in Hawaii for the cultural exchange and during the trip will visit a couple of islands for performances and sharing of cultures.
Before October, they have to reach that mighty goal of $200,000 though and Dominique reckons they can do it.
“I think we can get there; we just have to work hard and stick to it.”
