Center Street was filled with Pacific Islander food and culture at the sixth annual Utah Pasifika Festival May 26–28.
“The Utah Pasifika Festival (UPF) organization was formed in Utah out of the pure desire to not only bolster appreciation for and understanding of our Polynesian culture within our communities, but to also ensure our rich heritage is preserved for future generations,” according to the festival’s website.
BYU Chinese major Daniel Anderson attended this year’s Utah Pasifika Festival.
“I came to the festival to experience a different culture,” Anderson said. “I love that Provo is a hub for different cultures.”
The Utah County Pacific Islander Health Coalition teamed up with the festival committee to educate people about health issues significant to Pacific Islanders. They also provided a health booth with information about how Pacific Islanders should better take care of themselves and prevent chronic illness in their communities.
“Each year we focus the event on a health issue Polynesians face,” said Hine Toelupe, the festival’s vendor coordinator. “This year is diabetes.”
Ka’ ipo Rokobuludrau teaches the dances of all Polynesian islands at her Lehi studio Halau ‘O Ka’ipolani — which means “sweetheart of heaven” — and has brought her dancers to the festival each year.
The dancers wore traditional skirts and flowers in their hair as they performed the stories of the Pacific Islands on stage at the festival.
Toelupe said the festival grows every year with more performances and larger crowds.
“We might have outgrown our venue,” Toelupe said.
