NPIEN Thanks Linaka for a Successful Luau!

NPIEN members participated in the 6th Annual Linaka Luau at Monte Verde Park in Lakewood, CA. Linaka Polynesian Performers Director Linda "Linaka" Vaca and Sales Development Director Ernest "Eleneki" Saucedo generously invited NPIEN to partner with Linaka in fundraising and marketing for the event. We received a percentage of the tickets sold by our Board and Staff. NPIEN also donated towards the raffle, including tickets to Los Alamitos Race Course, the Santa Ana Zoo, the Ice House Comedy Club, admission to the NPIEN Education Conference, Cookie Lee Jewelry, and other items. All NPIEN Board members were present, including President Falanai Ala, Martha Donnenfield, Eugene Mafi, Aileen Tanimoto, Rita Scanlan, and Staff members Tino Andres, Chief of Staff, Lopaka Faria, Judy Ann Sanchez, David Brown, Qb Keju, Femila Ervin, and many of our loyal NPIEN members and their families. Atonio "Tony" Kavea helped secure the roast pig for the luau, which also featured a menu of barbecue chicken, macaroni salad, and rice. Lorraine Telles of Cookie Lee, NPIEN Silver Level Sponsor, joined us as a vendor. There are 70 members of the Linaka Polynesian performers, and we saw a medley of dances from Hawaii, Tahiti, and New Zealand. Hope Thompson performed the traditional Samoan taualuga dance, accompanied by NPIEN board and staff members and community members. This was a great evening of fun and celebration of culture. We thank Linda Vaca, Ernest Saucedo, and the Linaka Polynesian Performers for allowing us to participate in and benefit from the luau.