San Clemente Celebrates Polynesian Festival

By Tiffany Ujiiye --

The Annual Hawaiian Surf Club Polynesian Festival and Luau celebrated surfing and aloha spirit all-day Saturday along Avenida del Mar with street vendors and a luau dinner inside the San Clemente Civic Center. 

Proceeds from the event raised funds for the non-profit surf club, allowing it to participate in beach cleans and give donations to the Surfing Heritage Foundation. Club Treasurer Dan O'Bowd said the aloha spirit, that is, the open and friendly philosophy characteristic of the Hawaiian community, is alive and well in San Clemente.

“The whole idea and aloha spirit’s existence bring a heritage to the community,” Treasurer Dan O’Bowd said, “I’ve been surfing for 53 years and I’m still going. The waves break like Waikiki here."

More than 300 guests attended the luau dinner with a live performance from Garden Grove’s Polynesian Dance Studio Hitia O Te Ra. Live music and dance performers received a standing applause from dinner guests.

Last year’s winner Dan Cassidy gave the club’s Lifetime Achievement Award, first started by founder Raymond Patterson, to Greg Toma also known as the Chief.
“This is so unexpected, but this group of ohana [family] has so much love,” Toma said holding the surfboard-shaped wooden award. “I’m so amazed to share my Hawaiian and Polynesian song with everyone.”  

Cassidy warned Toma saying “after I got the plaque I slept with it for two weeks.” The two exchanged warm hugs and prepared a song for the audience. 

Volunteers and club members served dinner with a full plate of Kulua pulled pork, salad, island style macaroni salad, rice, and teriyaki chicken. A live raffle and musical performances entertained guests during dinner. In the afternoon the festival shared Polynesian and Hawaiian arts and crafts vendors, a vintage Woody car show, and hula dance exhibitions with community members and friends. 

“This is the spirit of alhoa and the spirit of surfing here tonight” Sean Acuna, a club member for nine years said. “Anytime I see them enjoy themselves, it’s beautiful.”