Dances of the Pacific Organisation

It was most interesting to meet Mrs Marjorie Bronson of Walnut Creek, California, U.S.A., and hear of the active ‘Polynesian Dance’ group which had recently staged its sixth annual production in Polynesian dance and music.

When her husband was stationed in Hawaii for several years from 1939, Mrs Bronson became interested in ancient hula chants and dances. On her return to California, she found her neighbours were keen to learn. Eight years ago she began at Walnut Creek Recreation Center with one class for women and children in Hawaiian Dance. There are now five hula classes for women and six for children, classes for women and children in Tahitian dance and a boys' and a ‘couples’ class' in Polynesian Dance. The ‘couples’ class' (12 couples) has performed Maori action songs and poi dances so well, that interest has spread to a ladies' class.

One of the teachers, Marguerite Hunkin, learned several dances and the long poi from Guide Rangi during a trip to New Zealand in 1959, and in 1961 Mrs Bronson learned some hakas in Laie. The biggest problem for the Americans is the correct pronunciation of the Maori language, but Hawaiians, Tahitians and Filipinos in the group learn to pronounce the words more easily than the others. Recordings and scripts are used when new songs are learnt.

The women have woven bodices and headpieces following traditional Maori patterns, but because of the high cost of piupius have found a substitue. Pieces of black and white bamboo from bamboo curtains or room dividers can be strung to make Maori patterns, and the swishing of the skirt is similar to the piupiu. Mrs Bronson always borrows a genuine piupiu from the New Zealand Consulate for the group's annual production.

Dances of the Pacific Organisation is nonprofit, and is co-sponsored by the Walnut Creek Park and Recreation Center, whose director Ruth Wallis has encouraged the group's development. The Walnut Creek City Council has also been a staunch supporter of the organisation.

Members of the ‘Dances of the Pacific’ group in action