HINA TAHITI MUSIC
Hina's Timeline of Professional achievements
CDs, Productions, Videos & events
'Hina' & 'Les Beachcombers'
Hina's very first recording was 'Hina & Les Beachcombers' featuring the popular 'Rohotu Noanoa' song initially composed for the dance group she directed at the Tiurai dance competition in 1985.
Hina had many occasions to sing with the in-house band at the Tahiti Beachcomber Hotel where she worked as PR Mgr and Resident Manager (Duty Mgr). It was practical to have an employee who could go from hotelier during the day and entertainer at night !
As a professional dancer it was easy for Hina to put the Tahitian dance steps onto the song which was inspired by one of the legends of 'Point Tataa' in Faaa, the actual location of the beautiful InterContinental Resort & Spa hotel today.
After the dance competition at the Tiurai I Tahiti (now called 'Heiva I Tahiti'), the song gained popularity as Hina would sing it with the 'The Beachcombers'. The band proposed a softer style and arrangment played by guitar soloist-Michel Poroi, pianist-Patrick Roche, drummer-Guy Tepa and band leader Eugene Nouveau on bass guitar. The musical arrangement was so beautiful that it enticed her to record it.
By the time she was ready to step into 'Alphonse Studio' in Faaa Tahiti, three of the band members changed, so Hina recorded that first take with Tavita on drums, Elise Tahua on piano (who is talented and popular singer herself), Jean Paul Tahua on guitar and Eugene Nouveau on bass.
The CD also features the popular song called 'Lambada à Tahiti', which is Hina's first attempt to compose in French and is probably the only one Hina will ever write, "the French language is too complicated for me !", says Hina.
'Tahiti Te Ta'i Moa Heimanu' song is another popular tune composed for the Temaeva dance group by Samuel Tuahu. Twelve titles altogether with two musical videos released in 1990.
The title hit 'Rohotu Noanoa' was 'number 1' song on the radio's top 20 of Tahitian music for 2 months strait, making it enter into the hall of fame of the longest n°1 songs voted by the public along with only 2 other songs (by Gabilou and Andy Tupaia).
With two Music awards from the 'Heiva Upa Rau', Hina the dancer became Hina the singer & composer.
This CD still can be found at some local stores in Papeete and is also available when Hina makes a live appearance. You may also listen and obtain it on Roland Teai's website at : Tahitizik.net.
Hina & Les Beachcombers, pictured from right to left Elise Tahua-Piano, Tavita-drums, Jean-Paul Tahua-guitar, Eugene Nouveau-bass guitar and band leader
and finally, Hina.
My Scrapbook
Results of the Top 20 hits of Polynesian music. Rohotu Noanoa enters the hall of fame, 2 months strait at number 1 position, voted by the public.
Video 1 - Rohotu Noanoa
Words & Music H.M. Pankowski
Hina composes the music, then the lyrics to 'Rohotu Noanoa' for the ' Te Tiare no Beachcomber' dance group in 1985.
Later this 'aparima' dance is re-arranged and recorded
on her first CD in 1990 at Studio Alphonse.
Other singers do several re-makes of the song, like singers;
Tara, Guy of Tamarii Punaruu, Teiva LC ...
The video clip was filmed at the Beachcomber Hotel
now InterContinental Resort and Spa.
The firm crew hired is from RFO TV station and the video clip was safeguarded in their huge reserve of images,
as Hina's original copy got damaged , she would like to extend
a special thank you to 'Polynésie 1ère
for the preservation of her video clips.
"Mauruuru rahi à Polynésie 1ère pour la préservation de mes clips! Aroha rahi, Hina".
"La vidéo est un peu vieux avec des sauts d'images et son en mono désolée pour le désagrément, Hina."
"The old audio is in mono with some image ripples, Sorry, Hina."
Video 2 - Tahiti Te Tai Mo'a Heimanu
Words & Music Samuel Tuahu
Aparima dance song from the
'Temaeva' dance group of 'Coco Hotahota'.
This video was entirely filmed by RFO TV crew on location at the Beachcomber Hotel in 1990 with a few dancers from the 'Temaeva' dance group.
Jean Paul Tahua is the solo guitar player of the 'Beachcombers' band featured in the video.
This song is available on 'Hina & Les Beachcombers' CD.
This video comes from "Polynésie 1ère's" huge reserve of stocked images, as Hina's original copy got damaged.
Big Mauruuru to them for its preservation !
Hina in the Alphonse Band entertainning a shipwrecked theme night on the Aremiti boat.
Musical tour in New Zealand with Alphonse appearing at the inauguration of the 'Bar Lea' Club.
New band, new adventure & more recordings
By 1991 to 1992, with two music awards in hand and musical propositions almost every week-end, Hina realizes that music will be her second career alongside the hospitality industry.
But she cannot refuse a unique opportunity to further her management skills in tourism with an offer to study at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu for a few months. So Hina had to put music to the side, but only for a brief moment.
Upon her return to Tahiti, Hina decides to continue her studies and master the hospitality field and food & beverage management by correspondance, all-the-while working as an executive at the Tahiti Beachcomber Parkroyal Hotel. This became a challenge indeed for she is a mother of two boys by then, and all working-mothers know how challenging it can be to work, raise kids, care for the household, yet also study at night afterwork, and be an artist ! Yes, all of this at the same time !
But she doesn't give up on music and joins the 'Alphonse Band' who performs occasionally at the Beachcomber Hotel and at private parties, events and concerts. And it is with this band that Hina tours for the first time to New Zealand.
"With the Alphonse Band, there was also the Alphonse family tipping in to help with the band bookings, studio projects and the distribution of CD's. It was a family affair. Angelina, his companion, took care of distribution, the kids; Maima handle some of the paperwork, Heiarii took care of serving refreshing drinks and little Alex kept my son busy playing" says Hina. Her experience with the Alphonse family including the oldest son Miko, was truly a positive one she will always treasure.
Star singer cast in "Variété 91" recording
Soon enough more recordings came into the picture as she accepts to participate alongside 13 artists' on the album 'Varieté 91' casette and CD. (pictured here below)
Aterwhich, she accepts to assists Alphonse with his first time recording of Tahitian toere drums with 'Tamarii Tuivao', winners at the 'Heiva I Tahiti' dance competition. The aparima songs and toere drum percussions were familiar to Hina as she recalls her early dancing days in her mother's dance group and even in her own dance group. For Hina, it was pure enjoyment to assist.
Hina with some of the singers on 'Varieté 91' release.
The island of Moururoa...
Much to Hina's surprise, was a request from the commander in chief of the French army base, for hiring entertainers for a week-end and to send them to the restricted island of Moururoa.
For Hina, this was a unique opportunity to visit the island that nobody can approach... this island, the atoll of Moururoa, is where France experimented with their underground atomic bomb testing.
Marie from the military office in Papeete organized a week-end with over 50 entertainers from Tahiti. On the program was a Tahitian dance show, happy hour music, and musical concert. The artists' chosen were Alphonse Vanfau, Heikura Nui dance group and singers Andy Tupaia and 'Hina'.
They all flew off on a French military aircraft and were greated upon arrival by the officers, soldiers and small administrative population on Moururoa island.
There was a cultural day of Tahitian sports, canoe races, coconut husking, fruit carrier races amongst the military staff, and a real "Mini Heiva" show for all to enjoy.
But no Tahitian event would be complete without the spontaneous music played after the performance, called "Bringue".
After the show and musical concert, it took just one musician and his guitar to gather most of all the dancers and musicians as well as some Tahitian soldiers to start a sing along. HIna even joined in with a 'Tura' trash can bass, to form one of the largest "Bringue" bands she ever saw!
At the end of the festive week-end, just a few hours before leaving the island, everyone was allowed leisure time and Hina was particularly interested in the tour of the facilities and was invited to visit and even swim in the waters;
"I rarely saw an island that clean! There is no trash anywhere, the waters are crystal clean, and this must be the longest stretch of beach I ever saw in our islands, it must be a mile long and without one piece of dirt on it ! This is the most beautiful beach in French Polynesia!" says Hina.
Hina receives a gift reward plaque from the French Commander in Chief, then tons of souvenir photos with new found friends were taken, and upon departure Hina receives a huge basket of French cheeses and delicacies. She felt so overwhelmed and appreciated that she left the island teary eyed from that wonderful experience.
Although the bomb testing has stopped and the military based is being or is dismantled, the future of Moururoa has yet to be announced by the local government.
HIna alongside 'Le commandant' during the rewards and exchange of gifts ceremony prior to departure.
'Le Commandant' on the pahu tupai, following wonderfully,
"I wonder if he is a drummer..., says Hina".
Incredible crystal clear ocean waters and mile long beach of white blinding sand This is truly rare for Polynesia to have such a long stretch of sand to jog upon...
Moururoa 's future? The underground testing has stopped but it's future is still unsure to the Polynesian people.
Live TV Show at the Tamure Hut
By 1995 Hina appears alongside a large cast of singers for the anniversary CD '100ème Casette', of Alphonse Recording Studio and the setting is the famous 'Tamure Hut' restaurant night club transformed for a live TV show.
The local TV station RFO invites the band along with the huge casts of stars which featured either the singers from the studio or from the 100th CD such as; Te Ava Piti, the Super Mamas, Lynda, Tu Harua, the Kikiriri Trio, Paea Oopa, Antoine Arakino, Théo Sulpice, René Arutahi, Etienne Raapoto, Maheanui Morin, Patrick Noble, Yvon, Kutia, the Alphonse Band but the Tauraki Super Stars missed the show but made it in time as the celebration continued with close to 4000 people at 'Vaiete' for a special concert celebrating the 100th CD and the 35th anniversary of Alphonse Studio. The celebration lasted for about 6 months with a smaller cast of stars.
Tamure Hut live show for the 100th CD celebration of Alphonse Studio. Broadcasted by RFO TV station.
Maheanui Morin and the girls !
The Alphonse band with guests Tu Harua, featuring singers; Paea Oopa, Antoine Arakino & René Arutahi.
Théo arrives from France just in time for the show with his new CD, where Hina does some background vocals.
Solo album, Hina's second recording. Hina named Polynesian Ambassador by Tiki Magazine !
By then Hina decides to tackle her second solo album in October 1995.
Unfortunately by the time she finishes production, and distribution was to start, the studios' successful years was halted as Alphonse decides to slow down his pace and unfortunately he does not re-invest in his studio. So only a few of the solo cassettes 'Hina' goes on the market in Papeete.
Two musical videos were filmed by 'Video Prod' that you may see here-below.
Hina is interviewed by 'Tiki Mag' who names her the Polynesian Ambassador for tourists worldwide.
By now Hina is well known locally; she dances, she sings, she teaches and shares the Tahitian culture, and is a confrimed song writer. But she is also a professioanl MC of big events, international fashion shows, beauty pageants, with years of organizing and 'MC'ing the popular "Mini Heiva" show of the InterContinental Resorts.
Video 3 - Tahiti Souviens toi
Music - H.M. Pankowski
Lyrics - S. Maigné
This Tahitian style zouk sings a rememberance of Tahiti of older days; the first navigators, Gauguin, Brel, a little bit of history and a little of the Tahitian lifestyle.
The words are written by "Sophie Magné" who is a talented poet that was greatly inspired by the beauty of Polynesia.
Hina found it easy to transform her beautiful poems into songs. Unfortunately Hina only decides to put two musical arrangements onto her poems, because she had much difficulty in singing in the French language with her Tahitian accent.
The other song is called 'Huahine Nui, Huahine Iti', which is also featured on this same recording.
"The first time I heard this Rarotongan melody sung by Hawaiians, I just loved it and I was so happy to hear that Alphonse studio got permission to record it."
For the video, Hina was proposed to use the setting of a bamboo hut temporarily built in the back garden of the Territorial Assembly. This bamboo hut was initially built for a play production next to the spring source once used by Queen Pomare. The queen's house was just steps away from the spring source and although the bamboo hut was torned down, the spring waters are still visible on this historical site which is part of Tahiti's government assembly in Papeete.
Video 4 - E Ta'i Roimata
Words & Music by Jon Jonassen
End of 4 years of study
Hotel Motel Restaurant Management
Hina had many projects, but coming back to Hina’s studies, after 4 years of studying by correspondence, Hina needed to validate her degree in Food & Beverage and sought for a temporary position in the hotel. Unfortunately there were no openings in food and beverage management, but Hina is contacted by the Aremiti Company in Papeete, who needed a restaurant manager for the launching of their new gourmet restaurant onboard the Aremiti Ferry. She accepts the offer and after a few months she validates her diploma
A lifetime dedicated to the Tahitian culture, music and dance transmitted from mother to daughter.
In Memory of
Protea
Hina disrupts her career for personal reasons as the urgency of her mother's terminal illness made her decide to take a pause from the heavy workforce in order to accompany her mother till the end...
Pictured on the left is Hina (teenager), singing alongside her mother 'Protea' at a special 'Tahitian Tamaaraa' in Burbank California in the late 70's.
Protea was a talented dancer, singer, composer and musician who created the 'Tahiti Nui' dance group in West Los Angeles in the later part of the 1950's. Hina will soon post her story and pictures in the upcoming monthly review under the "Hina; Music & Dance background" header.
Protea, President of Vaimato Tahitian Arts & Crafts association.
Just a teenager in her very first artistic appearance for MGM.
Filming in Tahiti late 1930's.
Center photo New York City 1949-54
Miss Universe parade in Long Beach California. Float for Miss Tahiti, left to right; cousin Rauti, Mom, cousin Margot and sister Linda in the early 60's.
Protea's trio. She sings at the Puooro Plage, at the French Restaurant Faaa Airport,
and Faratea back in the later 60's
After a few months, although brokenhearted from the loss of her long time mentor-her mother, Hina goes back to work and accepts an offer by mid 1997 to become Sales Manager representing the three properties; Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora at the InterContinental Resorts (from her previous employer).
Although her culture and music seemed compromised with this new position, Hina couldn't sing without crying the loss of her mother and stops the music to wholly concentrate on the sales job.
She creates the first trial ‘Kids Club’ at the hotel, which becomes a new activity in Hina’s free time of face painting and children’s arts & crafts for company parties.
Although she was no longer performing in a band, Hina continues to compose melodies and gives more time to her long time hobby of sewing and Tahitian costumes making.
She makes such a huge collection, that she is able to supply dance groups in need, and creates 'Hina's Tahitian Costumes' right at home with "Vaimato", once her mother’s crafts association.
A New Band, A New Job
Singing onboard the "The Paul Gauguin ship" Hina & Friends band and the Gauguines, once a month Tahitian Party on Thursday nights.
Hina finds great pleasure to work with many musicians like Charles Van Bastolaer for 3 years entertaining at the InterContinental "Soirée Merveilleuse" Gala, and Moorea Beachcomber Hotel as well, alongside Steve & Cyrille Tetiarahi, Pascal, Jerome, Rod Dennis Tetuanui and more...
By 1999 Hina starts a new band called "Hina & the New Beachcombers", but when the bookings were outside the Beachcomber hotel, other hotels and restaurants would not accommodate the word "Beachcomber", an identity belonging to another hotel brand. So she changes the band names several times until she decides on "Hina & Friends" which remains the current band's name till today.
Hina leaves the InterContinental Resort as Sales Manager in 2004, but continues to be the Mini Heiva's MC at the Hotel. So now she thought she could truly make music her main venture, well no, not yet !.... For an unexpected proposition to be 'Director of Local Operations' at the' Tahiti Tourism' becomes her new challenge but on a short term contract.
Back to the Studio, we go...
Hina makes her way back to the recording studio on week-ends. But this time the stakes are higher and costly as she produces herself. During the recording session, Hina receives a call by a popular composer who sought a female vocalist to sing a baby's lullaby.
The song was written for Mareva Georges (previous Miss Tahiti elected Miss France), and for her newborn baby named 'Vaki'.
Hina was truly honored to add the beautiful song onto her recording but also to change her CD cover to feature Mareva and little Vaki to support the song.
Unfortunately the studio seemed to have financial problems because Hina was forced to invest more funds to get her product out on the market, thus leaving her with a drained budget and no finances for a video clip.
But the good news is that her entire stock of CD's sold-out and covered the very high costs of production. Hina realizes that it was not easy to produce herself and wonders if she would ever trust a privately owned small studio again.
On this same album, Hina composes a song that describes the 5 archipelagoes of French Polynesia. A perfect song used for "World Tourism Day" entitled 'Faati Au To Fenua' (Dany's song). Hina gives unlimited use to the Tahiti Tourism of the instrumental version, but keeps the singing version for a future recording.
By now we are in the later part of 2007 and Hina starts her own business called "VIP Services & Animations" regrouping her tourism expertise and her professional background in entertainment and music. By managing her own business and own time, she finds more time to sing every month at happy hours, Tahitian Fridays, private parties, but also exploits another passion of hers as make-up artist mainly for kid parties doing face & body painting.
Recording n°3, Hina's first try
as a producer. "Costs are so high and the business so tough I wonder if I would ever do this again !" says Hina.
Beijing China with 'Hina & Friends' Band
Hina was thrilled to represent Tahiti & her Islands in Beijing China, thru a Tahiti Promotion. This was indeed the musical experience of a lifetime, for her as a singer and performer.
Hina was welcomed by officials of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries of France for the first event at ‘Le Pavillion’ restaurant in collaboration with the Ambassador of France and his consulate in Beijing China. France's top products were displayed; from French delicacies to French cars exposed in the gardens with a giant screen highlighting French products and ... TAHITI in colorful images !
The entertainment featured a talented French Jazz trio, then the incredible philharmonic orchestra of Beijing's opera house and Chinese opera star singer.
When Hina finds out she is to follow such great talent, she changes her program with singer Antoine Arakino to bringue music from Tahiti. Hina opens with a Tahitian dance then launches Tahitian style zouk music and sings the only French song she ever wrote called 'La Lambada à Tahiti' and invites everyone to dance.
In less than 20 seconds hundreds of people were dancing in front of her, with requests coming in; "Hina sing a waltz, Hina can you do some rock & roll? How about more zouk music!"
Hina overstepped her time limit, from a 1/2 hour performance to 2 1/2 hours or maybe more. "We hit the curfew time and we forgot we were in China, a communist country, and people on the streets were poking their heads thru the fence to see what was going on, until machine gunned military men came bursting in, to make the reception stop!" relates Hina.
"Wow ! Exciting scary experience indeed". Hina said the adrenaline rush was high! But the performance was a hit as she received congratulations from the ambassador and the consulate.
Hina's other performances was at the ‘Grand Mercure Hotel in Xidan’ Beijing where Hina and the band enjoyed meeting the General Manager who lived in Tahiti a while back and what a surprise to discover his wife, a Tahitian.
The staff participated in the promotion and they all dressed Tahitian style, with pareus and flowers and once again beautiful images of Tahiti & her islands and Teahupoo surfing were featured on a giant screen above Hina & Friends singing.
The last event was at the beautiful ‘Crown Plaza Sun Palace’ for the GIE Tahiti Tourism promotion. Hina does the traditional welcome trio with a Tahitian weaving demonstration of mini baskets & bracelets during the cocktail greeting and offers the objects to VIP's attending. After a quick change, Hina opens the show with a hura dance and songs from the islands.
So what was Hina's adrenaline rush this time? No military forces, but to sing on a $15000 microphone.
Dancing, weaving and singing then a quick visit of the Great Wall, and the Forbidden City before returning to Tahiti.
Tragedy hits her !
Upon Hina's return she engages in regular bookings with her band, but a tragic car accident cripples her little by little and she is forced to stop all projects and to close her business 'VIP Services & Animations' due to a severe back injury.
She puts everything on hold and undergoes spine surgery in the States. During her convalescence period, Hina finds comfort and strength in her faith and spiritual life as a Christian "to keep up the fine fight", and her passion for music allowed her to write new songs during the healing period at home. Within a year's time she composes 25 new songs.
30 years of Tourism, ....30 years of Music !
Needless to say, she doesn't stay unproductive, for as soon as she felt better it was back to the studio under her new production & publishing label; 'Hina Tahiti Music'.
Hina's love of music and dance is revitalized as she produces her 4th solo recording and her song 'Faati Au To Fenua' was placed n°5 on the Top 20 on Tiare FM Radio (April 11th).
The new release; 'Hina, 30th Music Celebration in Tahiti honors 30 years of entertainment, Hina says "...time flyes, I didn't even notice that 30 years have already gone by!". She invites singers; Antoine Arakino, Haunui, Heirava & Georges Bonnet, Trio Omega, Marsha, Michel Poroi, Vavitu, & Yvon to celebrate with her.
Mostly Tahitian music is featured here, which brings her back to her first job of Tahitian dance as she teaches the dance steps to her new songs.
Although Hina admits that she moves at a slower pace, she has all the time for her band 'Hina & Friends' with Kalu, Edgar, Fariki & Moana and is always ready to entertain in public and at private parties.
Hina is so happy to bring her story, her music and a lifetime of images and accomplishments to life on this new website celebrating 30 years of music in Tahiti!
"Mauruuru e ia aroha rahi, Hina"
Merci, Thank-you, Mahalo Nui -
Mauruuru roa, e aroha rahi, Hina
Photo credits; all photos property of HM Pankowski
Newspaper articles credits ; HRD SPHC, La Dépêche de Tahiti, Les Nouvelles, le Tiki Mag ​
Black & Whites Hina's family album
Hina & Friends Vol 1 CD cover photo property of Mareva Georges
Hina 30th Album cover shot courtesy of M. Pankowski