Livin’ it up at the Luau
It’s always good when culture and the community combine, and Saturday provided the perfect opportunity.
After months of preparation and practice, members of the Polynesian Student Union celebrated the islands of Hawaii, Fiji, Samoa, New Zealand, Tonga and Tahiti with a luau featuring dinner and dancing.
Mina Nau, a junior in apparel and textiles, is a PSU member and said she likes the luau because people get to learn about a completely different culture. Since any nationality can join the club, members of all different races and cultures had been preparing the event.
“Most people don’t know a lot about Polynesians so it makes them feel good to learn,” said Nau. “You don’t have to be Polynesian. Everyone can do it.”
The PSU has been doing the annual luau since 1995 and Martine Celestine, public relations executive for the union, said it’s something everyone can get involved in. She said kids and old people love it, and it gets everyone together.
“Polynesian people can come and see their island represented and it allows all students to broaden their horizons,” Celestine said. “It allows people to relive their culture from us to them.”
Many people did live the Polynesian culture, or at least they dressed like it, as they walked around in flip-flops, flowery shirts and skirts and brightly colored flower leis.
The Sunburst Lounge was filled with tables decorated with balloon palm trees and paper flowers for guests who gathered for roasted kalua pig, rice, Polynesian chop suey and guava cake.
Then those who went to “The Voice of Polynesia” show entered the Taggart Student Center Ballroom where they tried to find seats. Since the event was sold out, there weren’t too many empty chairs.
After an “Aloha” greeting, the stage was then filled with dancers, all members of PSU, who had been practicing for months and every day since March.
The costumes were multi-colored, the music was authentic and the audience applauded often. Many people in the crowd rushed to the stage and stuffed money in dancers’ outfits. It was said during the show that if audience members liked what they saw, it was Polynesian culture to express that with dollar bills in their dresses.
A few performances also included singing, a talent that received cat calls from viewers.
Participation was also included in the event as spectators learned a short hula to the song “Pearly Shells.” They also learned a few Polynesian words that, on command, the spectators would respond to by clapping.
Brett Thornock, a sophomore in economics, said he had never been to something like the luau and had fun at the event. He said it was interesting to learn about new customs.
A junior in biology, Andy Sanders said he heard about the luau and thought it would be interesting.
“It’s good because you can learn about our neighbors and their other cultures,” he said.
-mnewbold@cc.usu.edu
Mina Nau, Lina Olive, Susiane Siulua, and Phally Chhouk smile as they do a traditional Tongan dance. (Photo by Ryan Talbot)
Joshua Rosen and Junior Keiaho perform a Tahitian dance during the Voices of Polynesia Luau held in the Taggart Student Center Ballroom Saturday. (Photo by Ryan Talbot)