Luau accents Polynesian traditions
Aloha, and welcome to the Polynesian Islands.
This was the theme for the 2003 Luau, presented by the Polynesian Student Union, which took place Saturday evening.
The students had been practicing the dances and preparing for the event since August, and it all came to fruition in the traditional Polynesian way – late.
“All of the islands are beautiful, but one thing in common between the islands – we are always late,” said Sauimalae Lee, the master of ceremonies for the event. “But we love who we are, and we love being Polynesian.”
The dinner and program both started at least 20 minutes behind schedule.
The program highlighted traditional dances from six Polynesian countries, including Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, New Zealand and Hawaii.
Wearing bright costumes and showing a lot of skin, more than 60 performers from around Cache Valley entertained the audience with singing, chanting and dancing. The crowd cheered loudly throughout the whole event, and some people got even more involved by putting money in the dancers’ grass skirts or on the ground around them.
“It is a tradition to give money in all the islands,” said Samoana Matagi, president of PSU.
The crowd went especially wild when 4-year-old Tiana Matua took to the stage with her mother Lillian Matua. The two wore similar costumes and ended the show in the Taualuga, a traditional Samoan dance.
“I love seeing everyone come to share our culture,” said Matagi, who is half Samoan. “It is a culture people want to see, but don’t get to very often.”
Junior Keiaho, a freshman at Logan High School, participated in every dance that included men. He said it wasn’t hard to remember the each of his dances, because they all seemed to flow so well. His favorite part is when he acts as chief of the Fijians.
“My favorite [dance set] is Fiji,” he said. “I get to do the dance all by myself and call my people up from the resurrection.”
The evening also included a traditional Polynesian meal before the show and a free dance afterward.
-jacobomoon@cc.usu.edu
Tupouseni hosea, from Salt Lake City, is adorned with money from spectators during a dance at the Luau on Saturday.
Kimberly Kawakami and Elvin Ake perform together during the Hawiian portion of the performance, Junior Keiaho performs an ancient Fijian chant.
Mya Marie Bolden, Anna Basallo and Saray Lopez perform a Tahitian dance during the Luau.
In traditional costume, Junior Keiaho performs an ancient Fijian chant. (Photos by Ryan Talbot)