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 Our Beginning |
Nonosina was founded by Estella “Nonosina” Reid in Buena Park, California and was established in 1965. Our founder “Nonosina” was born in American Samoa and raised in Laie, Hawaii. The Nonosina Polynesian family history and lineage originated with Max and Leina Ala “Babe” Reid, who were one of the first recognized professional Polynesian entertainment groups in the U.S., known as the Coral Islanders in the 1930's. “Nonosina” wanted to share her pride and love of her Polynesian heritage and ancestry, while carrying on the family legacy of performance and thus Nonosina was born.
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Our Past |
| Nonosina has grown considerably throughout the past 39 years and shows no signs of slowing. 2004 was a year of substantial change for Nonosina. Nonosina is now officially Nonosina Polynesia Inc. and established a Board of Directors comprised solely of family all wanting to continue the legacy of Nonosina. Approaching our 40 th anniversary, we currently are home to over 400 students in our Anaheim, CA location and are expanding at a rapid rate, with two additional locations in Laie, Oahu and Kona Hawaii, with our newest location set to open in Orem, Utah in January of 2005. Nonosina has established a professional rapport both with the entertainment industry, educational and various cultural communities throughout California and has choreographed Polynesian dances for movies, television, and music videos and has also directed the Polynesian Cultural Arts classes at the Los Angeles, Fullerton, and Anaheim school districts. |
Our Instructors |
Tiana “SpecialTee” Nonosina Liufau Tiana Nonosina Liufau (October 30 th , 1981) was born the eldest daughter of Mel and Riki Liufau in Orange County, California. Tiana is a fourth generation Polynesian performer from Samoan and Hawaiian heritage, who credits her great grandparents, performers Maxwell and Leina Ala Reid, her grandmother Estella “Nonosina” Reid and her parents for paving her path and embracing her Polynesian culture through the fine arts. Tiana began her performance career in Tahitian dance as soon as she was able to walk. By the age of 10 she was pursuing Tahitian drumming under the direction of Tuko Tekurio. After her first lesson it was apparent that she was a natural on the To'ere and her passion for the beats of “Temaeva”, “Heikura Nui”, “Toa Reva”, was born. ”. Tiana soon began to win awards and make a reputation through Tahitian drumming in the U.S., Tahiti and Hawaii, being one of the pioneering females to enter the male dominated realm of Polynesian drumming. She has now set a path of her own for future female drummers to follow. Tiana currently serves as Jr. Creative Director and leads the Nonosina drum ensemble along with her first cousin Iosefa Pumphrey. Tiana's enthusiasm for performance is ever expanding into other avenues of Polynesian arts. Inspired by her mother Riki and her brother Mevina she now creates and teaches her own Choreography. She admires other Polynesian groups such as ”O Tahiti E”, “Les Grands Ballets” and “Hei Tahiti” for exhibiting excellence in Tahitian music and dance. Through her continuous journey to bring the Polynesian fine arts to the masses she has expanded her cultural boundaries to incorporate dance and musical influences from Afro-Brazilian, Taiko Drum, and Hip Hop to create an encirclement of cultures from various regions of the world. Tiana has also danced and performed for the Brasil Brasil Dance Company/Capoeira Batuque, Tupulaga, Hula Halau O Kamuela (CA), Ahutoru Nui (Tahiti), WAC Smash (UCLA), Pau Hana (UCLA), Kevin Kane's Company, and Hand Made (UCLA). At the young age of 22, Tiana has acquired her Associates of Arts Degree from Cypress College and is a graduate of UCLA's Class of 2004, obtaining her World Arts and Culture Bachelors Degree. She continues to value the influence that her “gram” Estella “Nonosina” Reid has in her life, creating her into the person she is today and hopes to become. Tiana is thankful for the unique “groove” that Nonosina has put into her life and welcomes and encourages all who would like experience that cultural “groove” for themselves. “And all the days of your life you will seek mana…” |
