MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- The woody report of a rapid Tahitian drumbeat broke the still afternoon, April 30, 2013, at Riseley Field and drew nearby listeners to investigate the commotion.
Curious fathers, mothers and their children came upon the last soiree for the “In the Park” series recognizing several April observances: Month of the Military Child, Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Autism Awareness Month. The five-week series convened for free activities themed as music, art, and fitness, every Tuesday in the month of April. The final event finished the series with a Hawaiian cultural showcase, featuring multiple Polynesian dance performances, painting, Maori face painting, paper plate crafts, hair styling, and lei making.
Estella Euclide, a program specialist with the base’s Marine and Family Programs office, knew from the start she wanted to finish the “In the Park” series with a Hawaiian finale, so she coordinated with Tamatoa, a Kaneohe-based Tahitian halau, to bring a taste of Polynesian culture to the base.
Tino Moe, director of Tamatoa, jumped on board when he was approached about coming to Marine Corps Base Hawaii to
teach the Marines all about Polynesian culture.
“My sister called and told me about the base wanting to learn about Polynesian culture,” Moe said. “The Marine base is close to home, and I wanted to come out and generate interest. I thought let’s just go and hopefully get something going over there. Maybe something weekly for the kids on the base.”
Moe was eager to share his passion and experience with the military community and glad to see the families engage in the event.
“I appreciate their time just to be here and see what we’re doing,” Moe said. “And to keep them in shape. The dances are
low impact, cardio, and just fun for all ages.”
And all ages did get involved. When not busy crafting paper turtles and having their faces painted, kids were welcomed onto the stage to beat on Tahitian drums or learn dance moves.
Dania Hill, a Spanish teacher at Kalaheo High School and four-year dancer at Tamatoa, volunteered to perform and demonstrate dance steps to brave participants at the event.
“The military has all walks of life,” Hill said. “We love the island, we love the dance, and it’s amazing to be able to share a bit of the islands with the military ohana.”
Military ohanas grew in number as the festivities got underway, touring the craft stations, dressing up in dance costumes and props, and learning about traditional Hawaiian instruments and language through hula. While some families entered the event spontaneously, others received information through MCCS promotion and made the effort to attend.
Shelley Whiteman, a spouse of an infantry Marine in 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment and one of the attendees at the festivities, found out about the event from a flier at the preschool.
“I thought it would be great for the kids to experience Hawaiian culture since we live here,” Whiteman said, as her daughter Alana walked around wielding feathered uliuli and a grass skirt.
A soft Hawaiian hula bookended the cultural immersion for an afternoon of family fun in the park. Euclide said if she could describe the event in one word it would be “worthy — worthy of the military children who attended.”
“I hope the attention this first-time series of events has garnered may be the justification I will need to bring this back next
year,” Euclide said. “I would invite anyone who participated in any of the Tuesdays ‘In the Park’ to contact me regarding their desire to host this again next year.”
To learn more about Marine and Family Programs or offer feedback, call 257-0372.