“We’re celebrating that we’ve made it, that we’re still here, that we’re growing,” says Demos. “It really is a story of who has inspired us and contributed to our story over the years.”

Strong family ties

A key individual of that story is Demos’ aunt, Kumu Paddy ‘Wailani’ Kauhane, who founded the organization. With roots in the Hawaiian Islands of Kauai and Moloka‘i on her grandfather’s side, Demos’ family was raised in Maple Ridge.

“My mom, uncle and aunt, they were all very, very much into learning about and practicing our culture and traditional practices,” the executive director says. “As my aunt grew and learned more, she wanted to go on her own and do things the way that she was taught through our family lineage.”

Becoming involved in the organization was a natural path for Demos who started dancing at the age of four. She is now a po‘o or a ‘top teacher’ in the school, which is still under the guidance of her aunt as the Kumu Hula or ‘master teacher.’

“In hula, it’s all about who’s your teacher, who’s your teacher’s teacher, and who’s their teacher too,” she shares. “It’s all about lineage because that’s who tells us where you’ve learned from [and] how you’ve learned.”

SPCS will honour this genealogy on June 8 with Hawaiian dancing, Polynesian music and oral storytelling. Kauhane, who moved to Hawai‘i in 2009 will return to serve as the hō‘ike’s (performance’s) storyteller. For Demos, hula is more than just dance – it is their history.

“We never had a written language, so hula and our oli, our chanting, is our history, is the stories of our genealogy, of our people,” she adds.

SPCS has grown beyond a dance school and continues to serve the local population of native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander immigrants. Demos notes that B.C.’s proximity to Hawai‘i has also sparked much welcomed curiosity from those of a non-Hawaiian background.

“There’s a real interest in [Polynesian culture], and so it became to us more than just the dance,” she shares. “We wanted to perpetuate the culture and history of Hawai‘i and other Polynesian nations.”

Sharing authentic culture

It was by coincidence that Demos’ family landed in Maple Ridge, close to the site of an historic Hawaiian settlement now known as Kanaka Creek. Demos notes that members of this community also migrated up the Fraser River, helping with the establishment of Fort Langley. They plan to hold an event this July that celebrates their family histories.

“We’ve got big dreams for the organization,” she shares, adding the organization is also in contact with the Hawaiian diaspora on Salt Spring Island. “While our focus is still mostly Hawaiian because of our family ties, we do have some Tahitian and Māori teachings that we have learned over the years.”

The organization hopes to further develop these programs with the help of cultural experts. Prior to their anniversary celebration, dancers will participate in a Haipule (Sunrise Ceremony) meant to synchronize the community in preparation for the big event.

“It’s about going into the water for a cleanse, letting go the stuff that is no longer needed and uniting with all of our fellow hula sisters and brothers,” Demos adds.

Haipule involves oli chanting and prayers. The organization will also participate in ‘Aha‘aina (feast) where dancers and other community members gather to eat. Dancers will participate in kapu, where they will each pick one food and one liquid to abstain from until the day before the performance.

“It’s not about causing pain or discomfort. It’s more about reminding us what’s coming,” Demos explains. “You’re reminding yourself that ‘I’m not having this right now because hō‘ike’s coming up,’ and through that constant reminding, we’re aware of what we’re about to do.”

For Demos, the hallmark of SPCS is its commitment to community and authenticity. She hopes the organization will one day possess their own space – a Polynesian Canadian Cultural Centre – where they can share dance, language and other cultural practices. All are welcomed to the June 8 celebration.

For more information, see www.hulaspirit.com