MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- In keeping with the tradition of honoring Asian/Pacific Americans throughout the month of May, the Tri-Command Asian/Pacific American Heritage Committee held a luncheon May 29, at AmVets Post 70, to increase public awareness of the diversity of the Asian/Pacific communities.
Guests were treated to an authentic Asian cuisine and a show, courtesy of the "Magical Fires of Polynesia" dance troupe from Augusta, Ga., as a way to educate them on the cultures of Asian/Pacific Americans.
Following the meal of fried rice, Asian chicken and mixed vegetables, the audience was introduced to one of the traditions of Hawaiian people. Magical Fires instructor, Lehua Kalini, explained why Hawaiian females wear flowers in their hair.
"If a woman wears flowers in her right ear, it means she is single; if she wears it in her left ear, it means she is married," explained Kalini.
Following the introduction, the four members of Magical Fires graced the stage, and performed multiple dances to songs like "Tahiti Summer," and "Hawaii Calls," showing off flowing hula skirts and brightly colored flowers in the corresponding ear.
After wowing the audience with several native dances from lands such as Samoa, Tahiti, New Zealand and more, they ended their act with a with a fast-paced, energetic dance, which kept the audience glued to their every move.
Following the hip-shaking performance, the guest speaker, Capt. Rugsithi D. Meelarp, series commander, 3rd RTBn., and Thailand native, gave a speech touching on subjects as myths and misconceptions of Asian/Pacific Americans.
"I was born in the Bronx; I grew up in New York and people ask me how I speak English so well," said Meelarp.
Meelarp explained that no matter where he was born, he is still discriminated against for being of Asian decent and said, "I'm like 'hey, do you want me to go back to the Bronx?'"
"As Americans we must work together to form a better land. We must see things, not in black and white, but all the colors of the rainbow," added Meelarp.
Though the luncheon was only an hour-and-a-half long, the audience, which was full of different races and ethnic backgrounds, learned something it didn't know about the culture of Asian/Pacific Americans, possibly putting aside old beliefs in lieu of the fact that all of them were just Americans.