The first community luau held at Montana Western since 2012, the event will feature traditional dances from Hawaii, Samoa, New Zealand, Tonga, and Tahiti. All proceeds will benefit the UMW Polynesian Club so it can continue and grow its mission of sharing traditional dance and culture with everyone.
“We’re very excited to have this Luau on the UMW campus this year,” said Polynesian Club Advisor, Shey Mata’afa. “I was a 2013 graduate of Montana Western and Polynesian Club member, and the years I spent in the club were the best memories of my time at Western,” she said. “For this event, we’ve also partnered with Cindy Wood and the Dillon Shine Dance Studio, and we’re thrilled that 33 dancers from Shine are currently learning dances from our club members and will be performing ‘Lilo and Stitch He Mele No’ with the female college dancers as well as the traditional Hukilau Dance at the Luau. The event is fun for the whole family!”
The Luau will also include a traditional dinner featuring Kalua pork and teriyaki chicken, a bazaar with handmade shell jewelry and glass art for sale and a no-host bar provided by Montana Western Alumni and Friends.
Most recently, the Polynesian Club dancers have performed for various groups and at events including the Dillon Girl Scouts, Philipsburg Public Schools, MUS Board of Regents, and the University of Montana Luau.
Several UMW club alumni will be in attendance and an Alumni Dance will also be part of the Luau’s program. UM’s Pacific Islander Club from Missoula will also be traveling to Dillon to join the festivities.
One of the Polynesian Club’s 23 members, Kenai Liua, shared his thoughts on what the club provides UMW students. “I have been dancing since I was nine years old, and the club feels like a home away from home,” he said. “Everyone is welcome to join the group and learn.”
The event opens at 5:00 p.m. with a social, followed by dinner at 5:30 p.m. and the show begins at 7:00 p.m. Ticket prices are as follows: $35 for single tickets, reserved tables of 8 in rows 1-4 are $350, and reserved tables of 8 in rows 5 and back are $250. There is also a single ticket bundle available for $75 which includes the annual Pony Up bus trip, and a limited number of show-only single tickets are available for $15 (entry for show only tickets will begin at 6:30 p.m.).
To purchase tickets, and for more information, please contact the UMW Foundation by calling 406-683-7306 or visit tinyurl.com/UMWLuau25.
For more information about the Polynesian Club and how to join, please contact Polynesian Club Advisor, Shey Mata’afa: sheynoa.mataafa@umwestern.edu.
