- May 2, 2024
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Pesi Mauga blows into a conch shell to start the luau.
Photo by Lesley DwyerMaya Taeoalii dances for the audience, but she arrived before the performance at Grand Living at Lakewood Ranch to teach the ladies how to hula dance.
Photo by Lesley DwyerResidents at Grand Living enjoy a luau by the Royale Polynesian Revue on August 16.
Photo by Lesley DwyerPesi Mauga shows the audience how to hula dance.
Photo by Lesley DwyerHarold Tick hula dances from his seat, as Nancy Keverian enjoys the show.
Photo by Lesley DwyerFacet Assistant Crow Barnett serves mai tais to residents.
Photo by Lesley DwyerDorothy Hare attends a luau by the Royale Polynesian Revue at Grand Living at Lakewood Ranch.
Photo by Lesley DwyerPesi Mauga sings as Maya Taeoalii plays the gourd drum.
Photo by Lesley DwyerBarbara Allen, Tyler Smith and Debbie Bonnes trade their normal work attire for Hawaiian shirts.
Photo by Lesley DwyerDirector of Facets Jill Muzzy greets guests and gives each one a lei.
Photo by Lesley DwyerUsually, when the Royale Polynesian Revue performs, it's all smiles.
On Aug. 17, though, before the group entertained residents of Grand Living at Lakewood Ranch, revue leader Pesi Mauga talked about the wildfires that ripped through Lahaina on Maui, Hawaii.
“I spent some time there, and it’s so sad to see what’s happening,” Mauga said of the devastation. “Lahaina is a beautiful town. It breaks my heart to talk about it, but God will take care of it.”
Then, the luau and show went on, with an extra number, “Lahaina Luna.”
Mauga told the audience they were about to embark on an “imaginary journey to some of the beautiful islands of the Polynesian people."
He played his ukelele and sang renditions of the Hawaiian Wedding Song, Tiny Bubbles and Blue Hawaii. Maya Taeoalii danced around the stage, shaking feathered rattles and banging on a gourd drum called an uli uli.
Before the show, Taeoalii gave a lesson in hula dancing to any ladies who wanted to learn, and Mauga told the audience during the show that hula is good exercise for the hips.
Guests were greeted with leis and offered lilikoi juice, which comes from passion fruit and is a popular flavor in Hawaii. But if looking for more of a kick, mai tais and electric blue lemonades were also being served.
“Keep drinking, it’ll make me look good,” Mauga joked.
