ASCC MATAI AMBASSADORS VISIT HAWAII THIS WEEK TO PARTICIPATE IN SAMOAN CULTURAL ARTS FESTIVAL
By James Kneubuhl, ASCC Press Officer
The Matai Ambassadors, the premier student dance troupe of the American Samoa Community College, will travel to Hawaii this week to compete in the Samoan Cultural Arts Festival at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie.
The Samoan Cultural Arts Festival, which takes place on Saturday, May 15, will coincide with the final day of the 12th Annual World Fireknife Competition, which begins on May 13th at the PCC. During the Samoan Cultural Arts Festival, students from Hawaii’s high schools and colleges will demonstrate their Samoan cultural knowledge and skills in friendly competitions like basket weaving, coconut husking, fire making, singing, dancing and speechmaking.
"The Samoan Cultural Arts Festival is a wonderful opportunity for young people to perpetuate the beautiful culture and heritage of Samoa," said Ellen Gay Dela Rosa, senior manager of promotions and special events for the PCC. "We added the college category last year and it really took the competition up to a higher level. It’s exciting to see the students get so involved in sharing their culture."
This year marks the first time the ASCC Matai Ambassadors will travel to Hawaii to participate in the Festival, so the members have been busy not only rehearsing, but also fundraising to cover the costs of sending the 30 member group of dancers, musicians, props and costume assistants and choreographers on the trip. The Ambassadors will spend a week in Hawaii, and will put on a few extra performances while in the Aloha State to showcase their unique talents and hopefully raise some additional funds to cover their expenses.
"We plan to do performances at schools and community centers," said the Ambassadors’ head advisor Talitiga Dr. Vena Sele. "These shows will consist of some of our dance numbers, but we’ll save our full show for the competition." In creating their current onstage presentation, the Matais have benefited from the expertise of choreographer Solipo "Shevon" Matai, who will travel with them to Hawaii, along with co-advisors Dr. Oreta Togafau and Jason Hollister, the latter of whom also dances with the group.
This year’s edition of the Matai Ambassadors includes Ms. Etelani Atia’e, the current Miss American Samoa who also attends the College, and Ms. Dana Love, who held the honor Miss ASCC for the past year. High Talking Chief Pa’u Faleatua of the College’s Samoan and Pacific Studies Department will also travel with the Ambassadors to speak for them during ceremonies that involve traditional Samoan protocol.