Aloha – or Talofa in Samoan. Hear the sound of the conch shell: the call of the islands.  Meet Tavita Taue'etia from Hawai'i – a true Hawaiian/Samoan and a professional fire dancer!

Participants will learn how to say greetings in different areas of the South Pacific. They will experience live music and drumming from the islands. Tavita will share the history of the fire dance and show them an example.* The participants will learn at least one traditional island dance, such as the hukilau from Hawai'i or the haka from New Zealand. If fresh coconut is available, Tavita will show the participants how to open it and take the meat out and taste it – if they are brave enough to try.

*Tavita demonstrates a dance with his fire sticks without actually lighting them on fire, but he does bring a video of actual fire dance.

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