Students Come Together to Celebrate the Proud Culture of Samoa
La‘ie, Hawai‘i – May 16, 2009 – Five Oahu schools participated in the 17th Annual Samoa High School Cultural Arts Festival held today at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Students display the many cultural arts, games, songs and dances of the people of Samoa. This event is not a judged, but serves as an exhibition, allowing each school to participate without the added pressure of competition.
More than 300 students participated in this year's festival representing:
- Kahuku High School
- Kapolei High School
- Radford High School
- Leilehua High School
- Wai‘anae High School
The Samoa High School Cultural Arts Festival kicked off with the lauga o le feiloaiga (oratory presentation). Lauga or "language of the chiefs," is a combination of poetry and proverbs considered to be an extremely difficult art to master. Representatives from each school dressed in traditional Samoan chiefly costume to give their presentations.
Following the oratory, schools showed off their teamwork, going head to head in a variety of games based on daily Samoan life skills such as banana peeling, coconut husking, fire making and basket weaving.
The day culminated with a series of cultural dances such as the sasa (sitting dance) and mauluulu (girls dance). The highlight of each performance was the taupou or princess dance. Although the event focus is on traditional Samoan practices, students added their own modern flair.
"The High School Cultural Arts Festival provides a positive outlet for students to get a hands-on learning experience about the Samoan Culture," said Chief Steve Laulu of PCC's Samoan Village. "Being involved in the schools' Samoan club gives students an incentive to stay in school and the experience of performing in front of a large audience at the world famous Polynesian Cultural Center.
All participating high school received up to $1,300 in cash as part of its participation in the annual festival. In addition, baskets were placed onstage during each performance and audience members were encouraged to donate to their favorite school. In all, the schools received more than $8,000 from festival sponsors and audience donations to help fund their club activities.
The Samoa Festival High School Cultural Arts Festival also included a special performance by the United Samoan Organization (USO), one of the sponsors of the event.
Later this evening, the PCC's Pacific Theater will once again be center stage for the World Fireknife Championship finals competition. The scores from each night of competition will be tallied today and winners will be announced at the end of the 8 p.m. show.
Sponsored by Henry S. Mataalii Company, Hawaiian Airlines, Turtle Bay Resort, Electric Pencil, Pepsi, Bank of Hawaii, Galumalemana Lester W.B. Moore, Hawaii Tourism Authority and the City & County of Honolulu, this annual competition draws spectators from around the world.
Video and photo clips are being posted throughout the competition on the PCC's blog at www.polynesia.com/blog so fans can track their favorites and share highlights with family and friends. In addition, live updates will be posted on PCC's Twitter page at www.twitter.com/polynesia.
Tickets can still be purchased for tonight's World Fireknife Championships finals to be held during the intermission on the Horizons night show at 6 and 8 p.m. Visit www.Polynesia.com for reservation information or call 800-367-7060. In Hawai‘i, call 808-293-3333.
Founded in 1963 as a non-profit organization, the PCC has entertained more than 34 million visitors, while preserving and portraying the culture, arts, and crafts of Polynesia to the rest of the world. In addition, the PCC has provided financial assistance to 17,000 young people from over 70 different countries while they attend Brigham Young University-Hawai'i. As a non-profit organization, 100 percent of PCC's revenue is used for daily operations and to support education. education.
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Participating High Schools
Kapolei High School
- Taupou – Felicia Faumuina
- Faaluma – Justin Himalea
Leilehua High School
- Manaia – Deriki Timotea
Kahuku High School
- Taupou – Candace Tufaga
Waianae High School
- Taupou – Fenunuivao Tauai
- Faaluma – Junior Patea
Radford High School
- Taupou – Mamaita Fiaseu
- Faaluma – Mosaiah Manuma
Oratory Participants
- Felicia Faumuina, Kapolei
- Deon Leatimua, Radford
- Junior Patea, Waianae
Cultural Games Results
Banana Peeling
Girls
1. Radford
2. Leilehua
3. Kapolei
Boys
1. Kapolei
2. Leilehua
3. Waianae
Basket Weaving
Girls
1. Radford
2. Leilehua
Boys
1. Leilehua
2. Radford
3. Kapolei
Coconut Husking
Girls
1. Leilehua
2. Radford
3. Kapolei
Boys
1. Leilehua
2. Kahuku
3. Radford
Fire Making
1. Kapolei
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Contact:
Amy Hennessey or Maria Quidez
(808) 531-0244
