polynesia americana museum of polynesian pop. exhibit design project - General Tiki

S Swanky Tiki Socialite Hapa Haole Hideaway, Knoxville, TN Joined: Apr 03, 2002 Posts: 5398	S Swanky Posted posted on Mon, Nov 6, 2006 10:16 AM On the ethics side, I have this experience. In doing Hukilau I have gotten to know performers who are very immersed in their culture and have a great desire to share it. They take their culture as serious as anyone. Besides it being a part of their language and daily lives, they also travel around to various events to compete and share with others. So I was a little worried that they might be offended. I was worried that they might not get what we were doing. It is much the opposite. The Mai Kai hosts as many as 1200 people a night for their dinner show. The reaction and type of visitor varies greatly. The tiki-phile has nothing but appreciation. Maybe they appreciate it as Poly Pop or maybe as a glimpse of true culture, but they love it. I have found that feeling in everyone. They are glad to have an enthusiastic audience and someone genuinely interested in their culture and, in perhaps an odd way, promoting it. I am sure there are things they don't care for just as we don't, but I have not experienced anything but the aloha spirit from the islanders I have worked with. We can all eat Spam Musubi and enjoy a Mai Tai together. We may be hearing things a little differently due to our culture, but our respect and joy is much the same.

On the ethics side, I have this experience.

In doing Hukilau I have gotten to know performers who are very immersed in their culture and have a great desire to share it. They take their culture as serious as anyone. Besides it being a part of their language and daily lives, they also travel around to various events to compete and share with others. So I was a little worried that they might be offended. I was worried that they might not get what we were doing. It is much the opposite.

The Mai Kai hosts as many as 1200 people a night for their dinner show. The reaction and type of visitor varies greatly. The tiki-phile has nothing but appreciation. Maybe they appreciate it as Poly Pop or maybe as a glimpse of true culture, but they love it.

I have found that feeling in everyone. They are glad to have an enthusiastic audience and someone genuinely interested in their culture and, in perhaps an odd way, promoting it.

I am sure there are things they don't care for just as we don't, but I have not experienced anything but the aloha spirit from the islanders I have worked with. We can all eat Spam Musubi and enjoy a Mai Tai together. We may be hearing things a little differently due to our culture, but our respect and joy is much the same.

Post #264804 by Swanky on Mon, Nov 6, 2006 10:16 AM