Polynesian luau group tours FLEACT Yokosuka

Photo By Paul Long | Chief Hospital Corpsman Julian Almero, stationed aboard the USS George Washington (CVN-73), dances with a member of the Te Iriatai Ora Group, during a Polynesian Luau held at the Fleet Activities, Yokosuka's Officer's Club, Sept. 1. The Te Iriatai Ora Group performed a variety of Polynesian dances representing the various Pacific island cultures from Hawaii to New Zealand. (Photo by Paul Long, FLEACT Yokosuka Public Affairs)  

YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JAPAN

09.01.2013

Story by Paul Long 

Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka

YOKOSUKA, Japan - The Te Iriatai Ora group, a troupe of musicians and dancers, showcased traditional Polynesian dances and music, during a performance at the Admiral Arleigh Burke Commissioned Officers’ Club on board Fleet Activities, Yokosuka, Sept. 1.

The buffet and luau was held indoors due to a pending tropical storm forecasted for the area. Chief Tapaga, a village leader in Samoa, said the group has toured a different base daily since arriving in Japan, Aug. 28, sharing their culture, dance and music.

“We’re very grateful to have the opportunity to come out and share our culture and customs with the military and their families,” Tapaga said.

Tapaga served as the master of ceremonies for the group, calling upon several members of the audience to assist him in demonstrating how to perform the Haka, the Maori warrior dance (from New Zealand). Additionally, he demonstrated the traditional way Pacific Islanders harvest and open coconuts.

The group performs songs and dances from all over the Polynesian nations, made up of various islands in the Pacific from Hawaii to New Zealand. Yasu Suzuki, assistant officer club manager, said that luaus are an annual event at the club and they are very popular with the patrons.

“I saw the happy faces of the customer’s and heard several positive comments,” Sukuki said.

Ryouko Araki, a Japanese civilian employed at Naval Facilities Engineering Command Public Works Department Environmental Office. It was her fifth time attending a luau in Yokosuka, and she came with her husband and their friends.

“I like the Hawaiian buffet,” said Araki. “I think Hawaiian music and hula [dancing] has healing power. It was fantastic to see not only Hawaiian dances, but other Polynesian dances from Samoa and New Zealand.”

Chief Hospital Corpsman Julian Almero, stationed aboard the USS George Washington (CVN-73), attended the luau with his wife and her coworkers, and was handpicked by Tapaga to try and learn the Haka.

“It was a great time,” Almero said, hwo tried hula dancing with one of the dancers. “It was my first opportunity to come to a luau. It was great to see another culture and learn the dance.”

• Date Taken: 09.01.2013
• Date Posted: 09.25.2013 02:55
• Story ID: 114214
• Location: YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP