Polynesian Luau 2010, an annual event hosted by Polynesia-Pacifica Foundation of Colorado will be held at the Red Lion Hotel (formerly Radisson Hotel) Grand Ballroom on August 14th (Sat) from 5:00 to 10:00 pm. This unique trip to Polynesia will take you away to a world filled with myth, spirit, and ancient legends. Elaborately costumed performers deliver the diverse dance and music of the Polynesian Islands of Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga and New Zealand. Each year, PPFC features topnotch Polynesian artists showcasing their creative interpretations of village life in the South Pacific, reenacting the images, histories, traditions, and hospitality of a diverse community. Audience will witness a brilliant pageantry of blazing colorful dances from Polynesia transporting spectators to another place and time.
This traditional event remains one of the best forums in which we aspire to strengthen our mission and sharpens our focus in sustaining PPFC’s commitments and ambitions towards preservation, promotion and sharing the Polynesian culture with Colorado residents through storytelling, folk arts, live music, performances, cocktail entertainment, full service dining experience, and other cultural forms.
We begin our evening festivities by welcoming our guests with fragrant flower leis from the islands to recipients selected at random. This special gesture of “aloha” is our traditional expression of friendship and an affectionate way of greeting our guests. The “giving of the lei” portion of our program symbolizes a legacy handed down by our ancestors which has now become a living treasure in every islander’s interaction with the rest of the world. PPFC advocates learning and understanding each other’s culture, believing that this is the ultimate key to breaking the barriers that is troubling our nation and people. We take special pride and joy in sharing this beautiful culture with the people of Colorado and invite them to join in as ambassadors of this unique spirit of goodwill!
Our program will include exquisitely-choreographed ancient and modern dances performed in a format that incorporates narration to provide a rich context for each island cultural showcase. This dramatic performance is beautifully-inspired and performed, flawlessly combining elements of Polynesian prehistory with the Islands’ more recent past. Five groups of Polynesian artists/musicians known for cultural diversity, integrity, excellence, and authenticity are sharing one stage to bring about the best of Polynesian in a nutshell! These groups of artists are: Jr. Wahines, Aloha Visions, Halau Hula O Na Mauna Pohaku, Kalama, Manea Porinesia, and their band belting out familiar sounds of the islands. PPFC taps into the incredible skills, talents, and energies of these selected groups and the entire Polynesian community in Colorado to produce Polynesian Luau of each year, making this event a well-concerted community effort.
Ticket prices are: $30/adult and $10/child (from 3–10 yrs) which include dinner and entertainment. For tickets, please call (303)-337-9165 or email us at: elenasimms@q.com.
THE “ALOHA SPIRIT”
The “aloha spirit” is a well known reference to the attitude of friendly acceptance for which the Hawaiian island is so famous. However, it also refers to a powerful way to resolve any problem, accomplish any goal, and also to achieve any state of mind or body that you desire. In the Hawaiian language, aloha stands for much more than hello or goodbye or love. Its deeper meaning is the joyful (oha) sharing (alo) of life energy (ha) in the present (alo). As you share this energy you become attuned to the Divine Power that the Hawaiians call mana. And the Loving use of this incredible Power is the secret for attaining true health, happiness, prosperity and success. The way to tune into this Power and have it work for you is so simple that you might be tempted to pass it off as being too easy to be true. Please don’t let yourself be fooled by appearances.
Aloha Spirit is the most powerful technique in the world, and although it is extremely simple it may not prove easy, because you must remember to do it and you have to do it a lot. It is a secret which has been given to humanity over and over again, and here it is once more in another form. The secret is this: Bless everyone and everything that represents what you want! That’s all there is to it. Anything that simple, however, does need some explanation. To bless something means to give recognition or emphasis to a positive quality, characteristic or condition, with the intent that what is recognized or emphasized will increase, endure or come into being. Blessing is effective in changing your life or getting what you want for three reasons: First of all, the positive focus of your mind stirs up the positive, creative force of the Power of the Universe. Secondly, it moves your own energy outward, allowing more of the Power to come through you. Thirdly, when you bless for the benefit of others instead of directly for yourself, you tend to bypass any subconscious fears about what you want for yourself, and also the very focus on the blessing acts to increase the same good in your life.
HAWAIIAN LEI DAY TRADITION
The lei custom was introduced to the Hawaiian Islands by early Polynesian voyagers, who took an incredible journey from Tahiti to paradise island of Hawaii, navigating by the stars in sailing canoes. With these early settlers, the lei tradition was born. Lei were constructed of flowers, leaves, shells, seeds, nuts, feathers and even bone and teeth of various animals. These garlands were worn by ancients Hawaiians to beautify themselves and distinguish themselves from others. Among other sacred uses, it was used to signify a peace agreement between opposing chiefs. In a heiau (temple), the chiefs would symbolically intertwine the green Maile vine, and its completion officially established peace between the two groups.
With the advent of tourism in the islands, the lei quickly became the symbol of Hawaii to millions of visitors worldwide. During the “boat days” of the early 1900’s, the lei vendors lined up to welcome malihini(visitors) to the islands and the kamaaina(locals) back home. It is said that departing visitors would throw the lei into the sea as the ship passed by Diamond Head, in the hopes that they would return to the islands again some day. With today’s air travel, things are a little faster paced. But visitors easily bring back the nostalgia of old Hawaii by ordering a traditional flower lei greeting for their arrival at any Hawaiian island airport. It’s a warm, wonderful way to begin a Hawaiian vacation. There are, however, a couple of “unspoken rules” one should know when receiving a lei for the first time. A lei should be a welcomed celebration of one person’s affection to another, therefore, always accept a lei, never refuse.
HAKA IN AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND
(Island feature)
Dance or haka in Aotearoa/New Zealand forms a crucial cornerstone of Maori culture and increasingly national New Zealand identity. Haka literally translates as “fiery breath” and a fierce attitude accompanies the performance of traditional haka. Maori culture is deeply rooted in a tribal system in which the protection of land and other resources is paramount.
Historically groups were on constant alert for potential invaders. The elaborate protocol system that marks the encounter between tribes between tangata whenua, or people of the land and manuhirior visitors, illustrates the importance of maintaining correct relations in a situation of potential threat. This approach also characterized relations between Maori and pakehaor Europeans who migrated to the islands in the early 19th century. The signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 between Maori chiefs and Queen Victoria provided the basis for the bicultural system that today continues to shape New Zealand governance and relations between ethnic groups. Today there is no tribal warfare but national performance competitions and festivals allowing groups to reenact historical relationships. Dances are considered by many Maori to be ancestral treasures that carry the manaor spirit of those who have come before. The dancing body and associated chants or songs bear countless metaphors and meanings that connect contemporary Maori to a long line of ancestors, spirits, animals, landscapes, and supernatural beings. Particular chants and dances also invoke pivotal events in a tribe’s history. The strong movements, facial contortions and the glaring pukanaeyes of a performer served to distract or intimidate a potential enemy.
KELANOLA, THE RAVEN PRINCESS OF OAHU
Author: Debra Gannon Neuberger
CENTENNIAL, Colo – In her new children’s book, Kelanola, the Raven Princess of Oahu (published by AuthorHouse), Debra Gannon Neuberger imparts the majestic beauty of Hawaiian folklore in a story about friendship and freedom.
Beautifully illustrated by Kathleen Michele Nail, Kelanola, the Raven Princess of Oahu is a colorful book that teaches a simple message – all living creatures desire to be free – and includes a glossary of many Hawaiian words that children and parents will enjoy learning together. Kelanola is a very special raven. She is an aumakua, an honored Hawaiian spirit ancestor who can assume many forms, including the form of a raven. According to ancient Hawaiian legend, when someone dies they are taken by the sacred raven to a high point where they leap into the next world. The raven is said to continue communication between those in this world and the next. The book opens with Kelanola soaring high over the ocean on soft trade winds. Kelanola meets her best friend, Kanoa, and they reminisce about their childhood growing up on the island of Oahu. The two ravens were raised in captivity by two sisters, Kakalina and Kaniele. Kalanola always dreamed of being free, living high on a cliff over the ocean. One day she found an open window and flew up and away to freedom. But her escape made Kanoa lonely. The sisters set him free, and he searches in desperation for Kelanola. A whale tells him that a beautiful young raven has gone to Oahu and he flies straight there. When he finds Kelanola, they joyfully fly away to be together forever. Today, two ravens are often seen soaring together over the Manoa Valley, and many believe that the birds are Kelanola and Kanoa.
Debra Gannon Neuberger and Kathleen Michele Nail both grew up in Honolulu on the island of Oahu and currently live in Colorado. They regularly return to Hawaii to visit family and friends. AuthorHouse is the premier publishing house for emerging authors and new voices in literature. For a complimentary copy of this book for review, members of the media can contact the AuthorHouse Promotional Services Department by calling 888-728-8467 or emailing pressreleases@authorhouse.com. When requesting a review copy, please provide a street address.