Luau slated to bring cultural experience to Gonzaga
Brynja Thorarinsson
Issue date: 4/13/07 Section: Entertainment
- Page 1 of 1
When the History and Travel Channel, the Food Network and an MTV music video are combined the outcome is "Dancing With The Stars" -- with a twist.
Actually, it is "The Navigating Stars," the luau put on by the Hawaii Pacific Islander Club (HPIC). The luau is an educational and entertaining cultural experience, which brings life to the history and traditions of Polynesia through dance and performance. In addition, HPIC prepares a traditional dinner.
"To tell them [luau attendees] a story we have to make an impact. We have strong cultural values and roots that go very deep," said Kili Perkins, president of HPIC.
"We use the luau as an educational tool to encourage diversity and awareness of Polynesian cultures."
From listening to traditional music, to eating pineapple upside-down cake, the luau will be quite an evening.
This year's theme, "The Navigating Stars," has a lot of history behind it.
Ancient Polynesians didn't have formal technology to navigate from one destination to another, according to Perkins. They navigated using the stars and ocean currents, telling what time of day it was by the strength of the ocean currents and which direction to sail by the positioning of the stars.
HPIC chose a dance from all of the major islands in the Polynesian Triangle to represent the way Polynesians used the stars to reach their destinations, said Perkins.
Each dance represents the culture of that particular place, said Perkins. They will be doing a Hawaiian Hula using hula implements such as the 'uli'uli, a feather rattling gourd, and pu'ili, split bamboo sticks, she said. The Aparima, a Tahitian dance, is a slow dance similar to the hula that uses hand motions to tell a story.
"We are doing some dances from New Zealand to represent the Maori culture. The ladies will be doing a standing dance in which the hands are used in a vibrating motion called the 'wero.' This means 'life' in Maori," said Perkins.
Music is a big part of the luau experience.
"Traditionally, music was a form of oral tradition and a way to honor events or individuals. Thus, by sharing music at a luau, you are not only telling stories, but you are entertaining the crowd," said Perkins. "Polynesian music always comes from the heart. It is written from someone's soul and shares a significant element of one's self."
The evening's menu includes Kalua pig (seasoned shredded pork), shoyu chicken, chicken long rice, lomi lomi salmon (vegetable salad with salmon), tossed green salad, macaroni salad, sticky rice, pineapple upside down cake and fruit punch, all freshly prepared by the HPIC.
The 40th annual HPIC luau will be held this Saturday, April 14, in the Martin Centre. The doors open at 6 p.m. HPIC will be selling tickets ($13 for students,faculty and staff, $16 general) in Crosby this week. Tickets will also be available at the door.
Actually, it is "The Navigating Stars," the luau put on by the Hawaii Pacific Islander Club (HPIC). The luau is an educational and entertaining cultural experience, which brings life to the history and traditions of Polynesia through dance and performance. In addition, HPIC prepares a traditional dinner.
"To tell them [luau attendees] a story we have to make an impact. We have strong cultural values and roots that go very deep," said Kili Perkins, president of HPIC.
"We use the luau as an educational tool to encourage diversity and awareness of Polynesian cultures."
From listening to traditional music, to eating pineapple upside-down cake, the luau will be quite an evening.
This year's theme, "The Navigating Stars," has a lot of history behind it.
Ancient Polynesians didn't have formal technology to navigate from one destination to another, according to Perkins. They navigated using the stars and ocean currents, telling what time of day it was by the strength of the ocean currents and which direction to sail by the positioning of the stars.
HPIC chose a dance from all of the major islands in the Polynesian Triangle to represent the way Polynesians used the stars to reach their destinations, said Perkins.
Each dance represents the culture of that particular place, said Perkins. They will be doing a Hawaiian Hula using hula implements such as the 'uli'uli, a feather rattling gourd, and pu'ili, split bamboo sticks, she said. The Aparima, a Tahitian dance, is a slow dance similar to the hula that uses hand motions to tell a story.
"We are doing some dances from New Zealand to represent the Maori culture. The ladies will be doing a standing dance in which the hands are used in a vibrating motion called the 'wero.' This means 'life' in Maori," said Perkins.
Music is a big part of the luau experience.
"Traditionally, music was a form of oral tradition and a way to honor events or individuals. Thus, by sharing music at a luau, you are not only telling stories, but you are entertaining the crowd," said Perkins. "Polynesian music always comes from the heart. It is written from someone's soul and shares a significant element of one's self."
The evening's menu includes Kalua pig (seasoned shredded pork), shoyu chicken, chicken long rice, lomi lomi salmon (vegetable salad with salmon), tossed green salad, macaroni salad, sticky rice, pineapple upside down cake and fruit punch, all freshly prepared by the HPIC.
The 40th annual HPIC luau will be held this Saturday, April 14, in the Martin Centre. The doors open at 6 p.m. HPIC will be selling tickets ($13 for students,faculty and staff, $16 general) in Crosby this week. Tickets will also be available at the door.