Youth is served at the eighth annual Te Mahana Hiro'a O Tahiti Festival today at the Polynesian Cultural Center in La'ie. You'll find tamari'i (youth) dancers from the Islands and around the nation competing for top honors in Tahitian dance.

Each of two divisions — junior (age 3 to 11) and senior (12 to 18) — will crown one male and one female winner. More than 100 youngsters are expected to participate.

The festival honors the annual Papeete heiva nui, a celebration of the culture and traditions of Tahitian dance and drumming.

Mark your calendars for another Pacifica event: Aug. 9 is the ninth annual Te Manahua Maori Cultural Competition, featuring adults performing melodies and dances of Aotearoa (New Zealand).