Polynesians host cultural party at dorms

By Kacie Miura; video by Mike Save, Josh Benton; slideshow and photography by Christen Vidanovic; audio courtesy of Melissa Chua

Under a string of lanterns that lined the Hale Aloha courtyard, the colorful skirts of eight hula dancers caught the eyes of

hundreds of UH Manoa dorm residents who gathered on Nov. 8 to watch the student performances at this year’s PolyFest.

“Das right; dis is how Waimanalo do!” shouted UH Manoa sophomore Elijah Isaac, his voice booming above the whoops and “cheehoos” of the crowd, moments before he stunned them into silence with a falsetto performance of Ka Beauty a ‘o Manoa.

The hula dancers, trained by Isaac, represented Hawaii in a lineup of performances by students from various South Pacific islands, including Samoa, Tonga and Tahiti.

“I was proud of the people who got to dance with us,” Isaac said.  “They didn’t care about perfection.  It just seemed like they were happy to do it.”

“It made me proud to be Hawaiian,” Isaac added. 

Isaac, who is also a dorm resident, led the Hawaiian section for this year’s event.  He said he felt honored to be part of the PolyFest, an event planned by nine Polynesian resident advisers.

Isaac poses with fellow performers and dorm residents.
Photo by Eric Brown

“The PolyFest gives us the opportunity to do something we would do at home,” Isaac said.  “Doing something you’re familiar with makes you comfortable.”

Although Isaac is a Waimanalo native, he said that dorming has allowed him to make friends with out-of-state residents who miss their homes.  Isaac said he wants all students to feel at home in Hawaii, and said that he hopes music will make people feel like part of the UH ‘ohana.

Singing, a central activity in his own ‘ohana, reminds Isaac of his grandmother, who inspired him to learn the Hawaiian language and sing Hawaiian music.

“Elijah is the only child his grandma taught to sing, so singing is an honor and a passion for him,” said Dustin Park, another cousin of Isaac who played reggae music at the beginning of the PolyFest. 

“He is upholding his grandma’s legacy,” Park added.  “He’s taken his music to another level by excelling in Hawaiian language and culture.”

Isaac said that although he usually does not sing before large crowds, he felt blessed to have had the opportunity to participate with his fellow Polynesians in celebrating their mutual appreciation for each other.

“We are all cousins,” Isaac said.  “We were all one people once upon a time.”

Isaac said that he especially enjoyed the performance by the Tongan group, which consisted of about 30 men and women stepping quickly in rhythm with the light beats of Tongan drumming.  Isaac recalled running between the rows of dancers to stuff dollar bills into their waste bands, a Polynesian custom for showing appreciation to performers.

By the time the fallen dollar bills were picked up and the hundreds of dorm residents retreated to their rooms, Isaac remained in the courtyard with a few of the other performers.   Even as the lanterns were switched off, they celebrated their successful performances with a radiance that continued to illuminate the night.

“The whole night was so maika‘i,” Isaac said.  “I was on a high til 2 in the morning!”