Why We Celebrate Pacific Islander Heritage Month
For the past seven years, Utah has celebrated Pacific Island Heritage Month every August. The goal is to educate the community-at-large about Pacific Island culture, bring positivity to Pacific Island youth, and preserve and showcase traditions. It’s also a chance to honor the pioneers who traveled across the ocean to settle in Utah as early as 1873.
Pacific Islander is a broad term that encompasses many different unique cultures and heritages, including — but certainly not limited to — Fiji, Hawaii, New Zealand, Samoa, and Tonga. According to the 2010 census, Utah is home to about 40,000 self-identified persons of Pacific Island heritage, accounting for 1.3% of Utah’s population. That’s by far the largest percentage of any state in the continental U.S.
The City Library has partnered with several local organizations to host our first annual Pacific Islander Art Festival at the Day-Riverside Branch. It’s a way for us to honor the rich contributions those of Pacific Island heritage make to our community.
The Festival will display art made my local community members, along with dance performances, musicians, art demonstrations, children’s activities, and more.
Why is it important to celebrate culture? In our various cultures, we can often find ourselves by connecting with our communities and those who came before us.
Artist Kalani Tonga said “I was raised in a small suburb of Dallas, Texas, and growing up I was usually the only Polynesian in most of the rooms I walked into. Because I am biracial and was raised away from much of my dad’s Tongan family, there were many things about my Polynesian heritage that I did not get to experience firsthand. I longed to see people who looked like me doing things that could make me proud to be Tongan.”
“It’s important for me to continue teaching Hawaiian culture through dance, chant, and arts and crafts so as a family we can contribute to our communities, those things we learn as keiki (children),” said Kumu Pomaika`i Gaui of Kēhaulani Hula Studio, “The Festival is a chance to showcase our culture through dance, food, arts and crafts, and talking story. The means of passing down tradition. Before the western culture came to Hawai`i, a favorite past time was sitting down and kukakuka (talk story).”
Explore your own heritage or discover something new at the Pacific Islander Art Festival on Friday, August 2, 6–9pm at the Day-Riverside Branch.
This event is held in Partnership with the University of Utah Pacific Islander Initiative Office, Utah Hawaiian Civic Club, Kehaulani Hula Studio, National Tongan American Society, Pasifika Enriching Art of Utah (PEAU), Manusina Art, Kanani Pua Dance, Utah Pacific Islander Film Series, and Utah Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
