Polystyle
Written by Anthony Kaauamo
After graduating from Lāna‘i High & Elementary School (LHES) in 2023, Souina Seiuli, the eldest daughter of Johnny and Sivanila Seiuli, embarked on her college career at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Thanks to her dedication and success in the dual enrollment program offered at LHES, she earned her associate degree and began her college life not as a freshman, but as a sophomore.
Adjusting to life in Utah, Souina is experiencing a stark cultural contrast. “The people here are very different from Hawai‘i people. I’m used to being so open with others and having that aloha with everybody, that when I went to Utah, it’s just like, not everyone is connected that way.”
The challenge of maintaining cultural connections while living away from one’s ancestral homeland is a common experience for second-generation individuals and beyond in diaspora communities. On Lāna‘i, where the U.S. Census Bureau reports less than 50 residents identify as Samoan, individuals like Souina, who are of second-generation Samoan descent with parents from Apia, Western Samoa, face the risk of losing touch with their heritage. This issue becomes more pronounced with each passing generation, as the connection to language and cultural practices can weaken over time. This gradual distancing from cultural roots is a significant concern for communities striving to preserve their unique identities and traditions.
In early 2022, while still a junior at LHES, Souina, together with her younger siblings, Sivanny and Victor, and friend, Sega Fauatea, laid the foundation for a unique cultural project. The four high schoolers, all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, were asked to showcase a cultural performance for an event on Maui. Embracing their roots, they chose to highlight their Samoan culture. This decision set the stage for the creation of the dance group that would come to be known as “Polystyle.”
Their dance style, primarily based on siva, a traditional Samoan dance, shares similarities with other Polynesian dances like hula in its storytelling focus. In these dance forms, the movements are more than just physical expressions; they are a way of narrating stories. Each gesture, step and rhythm in siva is carefully crafted to convey a specific tale or aspect of Samoan culture. Such an approach to dance is a hallmark of many Polynesian cultures, where storytelling through dance is a revered and integral part of cultural expression.
After their performance on Maui, Sega’s grandmother, Jane Fauatea, encouraged them to perform at the 2022 Pineapple Festival. Seizing the opportunity presented by the festival’s return, which had been on hiatus since 2020 due to COVID, the teenagers decided to formalize and expand their group. “This was my last Pinefest in high school,” Souina said, “so me and my sister decided to make the group bigger, to share our culture with more people.”
The process of expanding the group was both personal and communal. “There’s a lot of kids that come over our house, like, every Sunday from our church, and so we recruited them, as well as some of our friends that were interested as well,” said Souina. To solidify their expansion efforts, a meeting was held in the county field directly in front of the Seiuli house, where discussions about participation and the group’s vision took place.
During this period of growth and formalization, the group, recognizing a kinship with the even smaller Tongan population on Lāna‘i, chose the name “Polystyle.” This choice was a deliberate effort to embrace their Polynesian cousins, reflecting their inclusive approach to not only preserving Samoan dances but also encompassing Tongan ones. They identified with the Tongan community’s similar struggle to stay connected to their culture.
In many communities, cultural dance groups are traditionally led by elders who carry the knowledge of cultural protocols, traditions, language, and dress. However, Lāna‘i’s small Samoan community lacks such figures, creating a gap in cultural leadership. This is where these teenagers have stepped in. By forming Polystyle, they’ve taken an active role in preserving their Samoan heritage, ensuring it remains a vibrant part of their lives and the broader community.
From a young age, these siblings were immersed in the world of dance, watching their parents perform at local events. Souina recalled, “Our parents used to perform for the Pineapple Fest and any events that were happening. A lot of the times when they would have their performance days, they usually practiced at our house. So, when we were little, we would just observe what they do.” Inspired by these early experiences, they have now embraced social media as a tool to learn Samoan dance routines themselves, refining them for teaching purposes, and consulting their parents to ensure cultural accuracy.
Teaching within Polystyle varies depending on the learners’ ages and experiences. This flexibility encourages learning across different age groups, from children to teenagers. Their performances, such as the recent appearance at the 2023 Lāna‘i Festivals of Aloha, serve as a platform for cultural expression and education. “Well, we definitely want it to continue. I think our thing is to have it passed down. And we hope that the kids we’re teaching are learning so that they can continue it in the future,” said Souina.
Polystyle addresses the challenge of preserving heritage in the diaspora. It offers a space for practicing, teaching and sharing cultural traditions, welcoming all community members interested. These young leaders play an important role in keeping their cultural heritage vibrant and accessible on Lāna‘i.