ʻAhu Tahiti Workshop
A Tahitian Costuming Workshop with Nani Elia of iheartPolynesia
With ʻOri Tahiti Nui and Hura Tapairu coming up, join me at ‘Ike Collective for a highly requested workshop exploring the preparation, creativity, and practical considerations behind ʻAhu Tahiti, specifically Tahitian competition costuming—especially when traveling to Tahiti from outside the country.
Over the years, many dancers and costume makers have asked what materials, tools, and supplies I bring with me, where I find resources, and how I approach creating ʻAhu Tahiti for competition. In this workshop, I’ll share from my own experiences designing, traveling, sourcing, and preparing costumes for dancers and groups competing in Tahiti.
Together, we’ll explore how to develop ʻAhu Tahiti with your tumu parau in mind, connecting your research and creative choices with the dancer, the performance, and the realities of competition.
📅 Saturday, November 14, 2026
⏰ 12:30–2:30 PM
📍 ʻIke Collective
4369 Lawehana Street, Suite A1
Honolulu, HI 96818
In person only • Limited capacity
💰 Registration: $45
Register here: [Add registration link]
What We’ll Cover
From tumu parau to costume design
Explore what tumu parau means within the costuming process, how to research your hīmene, and how that research can inform your materials, colors, and overall design.
Preparing to costume in Tahiti
What materials, tools, and supplies I bring from home that may not be available in Tahiti; planning what to source upon arrival; finding resources; and organizing your time and costume preparations while traveling.
Designing with choreography in mind
How I consider color, natural materials, material availability, costume length, costume scale, movement, and choreography.
Costuming to the individual dancer
How to consider a dancer’s skill, proportions, height, comfort, confidence, strengths, and areas where they may need support. We’ll discuss making thoughtful design choices that help each dancer feel secure while enhancing what is already there.
Costuming for your competition
Understanding the competition’s costume rules and which material types are appropriate or inappropriate. We’ll also consider the competition judges, venue lighting, and how lighting changes the way your dancer and costume look on stage. We’ll discuss your performance setting—indoors or outdoors—which materials will last, and what you might need to refresh.
Costuming with what’s available
There may be times when you aren’t able to get the materials you need. We’ll discuss how to work with what you have and pivot your design based on material availability.
Durability, weather, and fresh materials
Planning for wear and weather, including heat, along with practical considerations for storing and caring for fresh costume materials while traveling.
Meet Your Instructor
Nani Elia | iHeartPolynesia
Nani Elia is the founder of iHeartPolynesia and a cultural artisan and costume designer who has created traditional, contemporary, and couture Polynesian ʻahu and adornments since 2011.
Her work includes ʻAhu Tahiti for competition soloists and groups, with experience traveling to Tahiti to design and prepare costumes for ʻOri Tahiti Nui, ‘Ori Tahiti Nui World Championships and Hura Tapairu Manihini. Her practice brings together design research, natural materials, sourcing, construction, and the practical demands of preparing ‘Ahu Tahiti for competition.
Nani’s commissions have reached clients across all 50 states and 31 countries. Her work includes a custom hip belt worn by Shakira during her El Dorado World Tour, later exhibited at the GRAMMY Museum, as well as costuming and adornments for Pacific and U.S. pageantry.
Through this workshop, Nani looks forward to sharing the lessons, preparations, and thoughtful considerations behind her costuming process.
Registration & Workshop Policies
Registration required: All participants must be individually registered. Only registered participants may enter the workshop space during instruction; additional guests and observers are not permitted.
Seat confirmation: Your registration is complete and your seat is reserved only once payment has been successfully processed and received.
Cancellations: Registration fees are non-refundable. No refunds or workshop credits will be issued for cancellations or no-shows.
Arrival: Please arrive a little early to get settled so we can begin together at 12:30 PM.
Parking: On-site parking is available after 12:00 PM on Saturdays, with additional street parking nearby. Please allow extra time to park and keep neighboring businesses’ driveways and access areas clear.
Mahalo for joining us for an afternoon of learning, creativity, and sharing!