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Hori Signs leaves its mark
Engara starting a new chapter
The moon is a bowl of milk
Opera in Paradise acts confirmed
Give me an H
Motone entertaining Rarotonga in 2012
Summer photo competition
Hori Signs leaves its mark
Sat
21 Jan
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Glenn ‘Hori’ Miller with a sign he did for Koka Lagoon Cruises. /
12011808
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Signwriter Glenn Hori Miller has already left his mark on Rarotonga his work evident in colourful signs advertising businesses around the island, and even in the large hand-painted lettering atop the roof of Trader Jacks.
All are a testament to his skill and experience, around which he has recently formed a new business venture.
His new company, Hori Signs, has set up its office on the back road in Nikao.
Miller can do both digital and hand-painted work, and specialises in general signs, A-boards, banners and signs for vehicles and shops.
When he started in the signwriting business 25 years ago, everything was done by hand. The industry has changed and Miller has adapted but his long-time involvement in the trade means hes able to do both manual and digital work.
Hand painting is a bit of a dying art when I first started it was all hand painted but now everything is computerised, Miller said.
Miller is among the only qualified signwriters on the island.
He did his apprenticeship in Auckland, and has done signwriting in the United States, Canada and Australia.
For five years he painted 2D and 3D logos into the grass of the NRL and Super 15 rugby fields, using water-based paint.
Hori Signs is able to provide signs for outer islands, and can erect and install signs.
The fledgling company is also on the lookout for young sports stars to sponsor while Miller concedes he hopes to pick a few from his beloved cricket pool, he is open to sponsoring athletes from any sport. His first pick is, in fact, a paddler.
To contact Hori Signs, call 74004 or 25222, or email horisigns@gmail.com.
Engara starting a new chapter
Sat
21 Jan
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Miss Cook Islands Engara Gosselin heads to Sydney next month.
12012017
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Miss Cook Islands Engara Gosselin is preparing to start a new chapter in her life.
Next month she moves to Sydney to take up a position as assistant general manager of Pure Fiji Australia, a shift that both scares and excites her.
It means Ill be acting general manager when the general manager is away, which is scary but exciting at the same time, Gosselin said. I want to do my best, not just for myself but for everyone here.
The general manager of Pure Fiji Australia was impressed by Gosselins grace, poise and class during the Miss South Pacific pageant in 2009, and sought her out for the position.
He was looking for a capable person with a public profile someone to be the face of the Pacific and found a match in Gosselin.
He said he was impressed with how I presented myself and spoke during the pageant I was quite flattered, Gosselin said.
The job offer has been on the table for awhile now, but was finalised during Christmas.
Gosselin leaves on February 24 to get her bearings in Sydney before starting her job on March 1. She has friends and contacts in Sydney already, and will be staying with a mate until she finds her feet.
Her contract is initially for two years but she has the option to renew.
Gosselin is making it a priority to attend the Miss Cook Islands pageant on June 7, after she has completed three months probation and can request leave.
Its important to me that Im there to hand over my crown, she said. Im grateful to the pageant because without the opportunity to be Miss Cook Islands I wouldnt have had the exposure to Pure Fiji (management).
Pure Fiji produces natural bath and body products made by Pacific people and from natural Pacific ingredients like coconut and macadamia. The company has branches in Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, the UK, the US, Germany, Korea, Japan and the Czech Republic.
Gosselin says she was using Pure Fiji products even before she met the companys general manager. She lived in Fiji for six years when she studied tourism and hospitality at the University of the South Pacific, and remembers visiting the Pure Fiji factory for blowout sales on Saturdays.
But never did I think Id be working for Pure Fiji, or managing one of its branches, she said.
Gosselin says her work experience at The Rarotongan Resort & Spa and at Edgewater Resort & Spa both of which, ironically, use Pure Fiji products in their spa treatments has primed her for the position shes about to fill.
Working at both resorts taught me a lot about management, and I want to carry those skills over into my new job, she said.
She is reluctant to leave her family, but says the direct Sydney flight will make it easier for them to visit her and vice versa.
She will also miss the freedom of life in Rarotonga just jumping on a bike, or driving 10 minutes to get somewhere, the beach, the simple things, she said.
Im sad to be leaving the Cook Islands, because its always been my home, but excited about the chance to promote the Cook Islands overseas.
She thanks Tata and Liz of The Rarotongan for always pushing her, Chris and the Edgewater staff, and the people of the Cook Islands who voted her Miss Cook Islands, because of the doors that title opened for her.
She thanks especially her parents, family and friends, and God for giving me a new beginning when I needed one.
The moon is a bowl of milk
Sat
21 Jan
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Daisy Hollman with her kikau spectacles.
12012008
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The moon
What is the moon?
The moon is a bowl of milk,
Floating in the night sky.
It is a silver ball,
Hanging out with the stars.
It is a white thumb print,
On a black sheet of paper.
It is a white orb,
Sailing on the ocean.
It is a white blob,
Sleeping in the night sky.
By Daisy Hollman
Hurry Up! Get dressed!
Make your bed!
That's my mum,
Going on and on...
Stand up!
Get our breakfast!
Brush our teeth!
Thats my dad,
Going on and on..
Do your work!
Stop talking!
Read your book!
Thats my teacher,
Going on and on.
By Georgia Buick
My imagination
The wet mud was like a world full of glue.
The moon hung in the night sky like a monkey hanging from a branch.
The vacuum cleaner droned like a greedy anteater.
The leaves fell like colourful balloons falling from the sky.
The sun shone like a light bulb.
By Eva Patai
My Dog!
Love my dog!
I always say,
For unfortunately for he
Chases the car when he hears the car go vroom,
Runs down the driveway when the door is open,
He only comes back when he hears the word car.
Then just before you look in the back of the truck you see
Him there just wagging his tail.
Love my dog!
By Taylor Sutherland
The manikin
Here's a manikin
With plastic skin
His clothes shine as bright as the sun He sometimes wears new clothes everyday
And you can see people wearing the same clothes as him
He lives in a shop night and day
But now hes old someone took him away.
By Malaetele Mataora
Opera in Paradise acts confirmed
Sat
21 Jan
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Deborah Wai Kapohe.
12012012
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Mere Tokorahi Boynton is a Mori singer and actor of Te Aitanga Mahaki, Ngti Oneone and Tuhoe descent.
12012011
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Motone has confirmed its two talents for this years Opera in Paradise event. Last year, tenors Benjamin Makisi and Cook Islander Bonaventure Allan Moetaua put on an encore performance at Crown Beach.
This year, its time for the fairer sex to shine. The stars that will take the stage are Mere Boynton and Deborah Waikapohe.
Yes, femme fatale line-up this time instead of big burly beautiful tenors we now have slim sexy sopranos, Glenda Tuaine of Motone Productions said.
Mere is a singer, actor and emcee, with formal voice training.
Her style draws upon her classical training and taha Maori Mere is well-known for her ability to cross genres from opera through to light jazz and waiata Maori.
Some of her most memorable singing engagements to date have been performing in Gareth Farrs Te Papa composed specifically for the opening of Te Papa Tongarewa (Museum of New Zealand) in Wellington, singing and touring nationwide in the dance opera Jerusalem by Michael Parmenter, performing at Opera in the Pa in Rotorua and singing in the acclaimed movie Te Tangata Whai Rawa o Weneti (The Maori Merchant of Venice).
In 2006 Mere travelled with Mau Dance Company to perform in Requiem, a work commissioned by the Mozart Festival in Vienna and Belgium, and has also performed with Requiem in London and New York.
In 2008 Mere performed in the Cannibal Dogs an exciting New Zealand opera commissioned by the NZ International Festival of the Arts and in 2009 she performed in Gareth Farrs new song cycle Ex Stasis with the Auckland Philharmonia.
She also performs regularly for Maori Performing Art Festivals, extravaganzas, private and corporate functions. In 2005 Mere launched her debut CD Waikohu (The Mist), an eclectic range of compositions which have been given different vocal and musical treatments, from kapahaka style to classical string quartet with karanga.
Deborah Wai Kapohe has a diverse repertoire of talents. Born in Southland, she has performed in operas, musicals, contemporary Maori music and arts festivals, proms, concerts, recitals, self-accompanied guitar and voice recitals and special events throughout New Zealand and Australia, as well as in the UK, China and South Africa.
Her traditional opera roles include Pamina in The Magic Flute, Mimi in La Boheme, Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus, Sophie in Massenets Werther, Adalgisa in Norma, Nannetta in Falstaff,Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro, Leila in The Pearl Fishers, Marguerite in Faust and most recently the role of Carmen in Carmen.
Her Premiere Opera performances include Outrageous Fortune by New Zealand composer Gillian Whitehead; Wide Sargasso Sea and Gauguin for Chamber Made in Australia; and Grandmas Shoes, a joint production between Opera Australia and Theatre of Image in Sydney, Jan 2000.
In 2008 Deborah sung the role of the Queen of Tahiti in New Zealand composers Matthew Suttors Opera Trial of the Cannibal Dog at the 2008 New Zealand International Arts Festival.
Special events include singing for The Duke of Edinburgh World Fellows at St James Palace, Cathcart Spring proms at the Royal Albert Hall, the Sydney and Beijing Olympic Arts Festivals, Anthems for the All Blacks and the Silver Ferns in New Zealand and Australia and for Royalty at Huka Lodge.
Both Boynton and Kapohe will be performing at the Opera in Paradise venue - Crown Beach Resort and Spas Oceans Restaurant for two nights only (Friday May 25 and Saturday May 26). Motone says it will release further details as the event draws nearer.
Give me an H
Sat
21 Jan
Cook Islands singers are amped up and ready for the first round of auditions in all singing and more singing talent contest known as The H Factor.
The contest, which is based on the TV series the X Factor, will launch today at Hidies Bar in Avarua.
The first round of auditions begins this afternoon at the entertainment spot from 2pm, giving hopefuls two chances at impressing the competitions judges and being selected for the competitions live shows.
Contestants will perform two 30-second songs to the competitions judges, with the 10 best performers from auditions to move on to the next stage of the competition.
Once there, they will compete for a range of prizes including a recording contract with Teura Studios.
The auditions and live shows will be televised on television in Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Mangaia, Mauke and Atiu.
The public will have the opportunity to vote via text for their favourites at 50c a vote.
Contestants must be 18 years or older as of February 3 and have lived in the Cook Islands for at least three months by that date.
Motone entertaining Rarotonga in 2012
Sat
21 Jan
Motone Productions the company responsible for bringing some of the regions biggest performing artists to Rarotonga last year has some exciting plans for 2012 up its sleeve.
The companys directors, Mo Newport and Glenda Tuaine, will be attending a number of festivals this year to meet festival directors and organisers and to promote Cook Islands music and artists to the wider world.
Their goal is to get Cook Islands artists on international stages whenever and wherever possible.
Motone is attending Aucklands Pasifika in March. Trigger Fish a local two-piece band featuring Newport and Kura Happ will be performing on the international and Cook Islands stages.
Motone will also be selling Happs and Tara Kauvais albums.
The entertainment company has also been invited to attend Sounds Aotearoa Music in the second week of March.
Sounds Aotearoa is a two-day international music festival which comprises a conference, an artist expo and performances. It has been designed to facilitate exposure, networking, capacity building, and business promotion, and represents an opportunity for musicians, promoters, managers and others to work together.
We will be promoting Cook Islands artists to international festival and music producers. We will also be negotiating with artists for the next Divas in Paradise, Tuaine said.
In the same month, Motone plans to attend WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance) to meet with artists and festival director Drew James to discuss arts exchange programmes for Cook Islands artists.
WOMAD has already indicated that they are interested in a team the Cook Islands decorating areas of the festival with traditional floral installations. Motone is looking to compile a team of 4-6 people skilled in that area to attend WOMAD 2013, Tuaine said.
Motone has also confirmed that it intends to put on another Divas in Paradise event. Last year, Julia Deans, Bella Kalolo and Ladi6 joined local ladies Kura Happ and Tara Kauvai to put on the biggest show of the year at Club Raro.
On the heels of its wild success, Motone is planning another Divas evening for October.
It is Motones goal to create iconic annual music events here in the Cook Islands that become part of the international touring circuit. Divas now has a solid following and we intend to capitalise on that so stay tuned!
says Tuaine.
Names, dates and venues are yet to be confirmed.
Sat
21 Jan
Youngsters and family gatherings feature in this the third batch of entries
in our Memories of Summer photo competition.
Our second weekly winner is Lorraine Samuel who sent in a photo of her 20-month
old granddaughter Vienna Tevai enjoying a cold ice cube while soaking up
the sun at a beach in Aroa. Samuel wins a framed photo of her winning snap
and along with all week two entries printed will receive a free Cook Islands
News totebag which can be picked up at the CINews office in Maraerenga. Email
your snapshots to: editor@cookislandsnews.com
Brandon Rangi-Dixon with a big cheesy grin on
a beautiful summer day with his mum Michelle Dixon, sent in my Dalyan
Rangi-Dixon. 12011107
Josephine Turepu sent in this photo of proud
father Bilsy Gukisuva with his two adorable kids, birthday boy Zechariah
and sister Taleya having an enjoyable time at the Rarotongan Resort
and Spa celebrating Zechariah’s fifth birthday. 12011827
The Cook Islands Filipino community sent in this
photo of a bonfire gathering the community held over the summer break.
Photo sent in by Noni Soliven. 12011819
Kitesurfing Raro Style! Inano McMurchy sent in
this photo of cousins Jacob Arbuthnott, Jacob Kamana, Zeke McMurchy
and Daniel Kamana
. 12011829
A beach to oneself! Bazza Ross of Atiu sent in
this photo of Ngaire Stewart from New Zealand walking the beach in
front of Sunny Beach Lodge in Aitutaki. 12011823
This photo sent in by Noni Soliven was taken
at the Pennycook residence in Titikaveka and he reckons it captured
the best moment of the group photo. In this photo are Julie
and Eric Bateman, Teariki, Gaynor and Pennycook children, Shona Bridel,
Diane and Kake William, Asta Marsters, Thelma Dunkel, Josephine Bain,
Joy Unuia Pickering boys Aldous and Chris, Tumunu’s Shirley
and the late Charlotte Mueller. 12011822
Paka Worthington sent in this photo of him carving
up waves in Hawaii with his gorgeous three-year-old daughter Puaranui
enjoying the tandem ride on dad’s back. 12011837
Frances Wigmore-Valoa sent in this photo of her
son Calvyn Valoa with his aunties Angela and Cina Wigmore. 12011828
Biker chicks! Jenny Vaipapa sent in this shot
of girl bikers Michelle, Mere and Tyrees. 12011834
Snapshot taken by Aunty Mari Burns-Peau
of four-year-old Roimata Laudola enjoying
two chocolate ice creams at the Rarotongan Beach Resort and Spa. 12011831
Teuru Tiraa Passfield took this photo of James
Mata with young Quentin Schofield on his shoulders, at One Foot Island
in Aitutaki. 12011813
Morgan John from Takuvaine photographed in Nikao
by Sheryl John. 12011826
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