People
STAFF
Rebecca Ka’awela Manandic
kikiraina@hotmail.com
Event Coordinator
Rebecca Ka’awela Manandic was born and raised on the island of Oahu. After having moved to the Merced area in 1974, she began a small Polynesian dance troupe, Ke Anuenue (Hawaiian: “The Rainbow), which was the first such group in the Central Valley.
Eric Ka'ahele Morales
kikirainaprogram@gmail.com
Event Publication Editor/ Webmaster
Eric is a graduate student in the Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology at Indiana University, Bloomington. He is the recipient of the Graduate Scholars Fellowship. His interests include Latino folk belief and foodways as well as the depiction of Latinos in the media. Currently, his work focuses on the dance and culture of Tahiti and how it manifests itself in festivals.
Patty Mililani Callaghan
gumby101n@gmail.com
First Aid Booth Coordinator
Running the first aid booth for the past 11 years is but one of the many ways in which Aunty Patty contributes to the Kiki Raina Tahiti Fete. A talented musician, she has been one of our house drummers for six years, and she is one of our fete vendors, owning and operating Haole Style Okole Resters. In addition, she makes a "mean" pot of chicken long rice soup.
Joanna Nohealani Lawrence
hulablondie84@aol.com
Maeva Pageant Coordinator
Joanna has been a polynesian dancer in Merced, Ca for twenty years. She has been a Maeva Merced Pageant coordinator for several years. Although much of her work is done behind the scenes, she's the one you will see parading the Maeva Iti contestants around the stage.