Vai Sikahema is the sports reporter at Philadelphia's WCAU-TV and when he invited us to stop by the station, he did a great feature segment on Polynesian Cultural Center. Vai is from Tonga and his wife Keala used to dance with PCC. And actually, Vai also danced with the group back in the day so he quickly joined in on the fun by putting on a grass hula skirt and showed them he still had the moves. Click here for the segment. Vai also planned to feature the Hawaii story by tying in Maui’s Shane Victorino who’s at Spring training camp in Florida. And in true Hawaiian style, we gave our aloha with a fresh orchid lei greeting.
Vai interviewed Polynesian Cultural Center's Nephi Setoki who spoke all about our tour and travels.
Polynesian Cultural Center's Halam Ah Quinn said it was neat to meet Vai and to see his wife Keala again. He also said, "He's our Polynesian braddah." Halam's family grew up with Keala in Kahuku, and both Halam and Keala are Red Raiders, alumni of Kahuku High School on Oahu.
Vai used to play football for BYU and then he later played for the Philadelphia Eagles – special teams. It was comfortable to talk story with him, and he even shared with us what he misses most about Hawaii - the fresh poke (raw fish) on steamed rice from the market across Kahuku High (yes, it's still there and the fish is exactly as he describes it).
Keala and their daughter Lana gracefully danced Kanaka Wai Wai for us. Keala also met for the first time — Farwyn whose late mother also went to Kahuku High School with Keala.
SI (Shave Ice) just adores the lights, camera and action. At WCAU-TV, he took a lickin’ by Vai and what’s his favorite flavor? Mango! Make that three times for the Sikahema family - Keala and Lana love mango flavored Shave Ice as well!
We had a great time at WCAU-TV, reuniting friendships and discovering new Hawaii ties!
-- Marriott's Spirit of Aloha Tour team
