Photo Essay: UH Hilo International Nights 2018, celebrating the many cultures on campus

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International Nights is a special time each year when UH Hilo students celebrate, in song and dance (and a poem this year), the many international cultures represented on campus.

Woman at podium, at mic. Large floral arrangement in front of podium.
Student gives introductory remarks at Friday’s performance of International Nights, Feb. 23, 2018, UH Hilo.

Photos by Bob Douglas/UH Hilo Stories.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo hosted the annual International Nights on Feb. 23 and 24, 2018. Each year, the UH Hilo International Student Association produces a two-night show that features dance performances from the many different cultures and countries represented at UH Hilo. International Nights is a long-standing tradition at the university that spans over three decades, and is a favorite event on campus among students, the community and visitors.

Photos are arranged in order of appearance during the two-night event; click for full size.

JAPAN
Taishoji Taiko
“Yatai Bayashi”

Group of Taiko drummers sit on floor, legs extended, beating drums. The light is red.

USA
Performing Arts Center Drama Club
“Disney Medley”

A solo singer on stage, holds mic.

POHNPEI, FSM
Pohnpei Kaselehlie Club
“Dokia & Wen”

Two lines of dancers: front is women seated, back is men standing turned stage left.

AFRICA
Melanin Magic
“Contemporary African Dance”

Black silhouettes of dancers against orange lighting.

PHILIPPINES
Bayanihan Club
“Kapamilya Tayo: The Culture of the Philippines”

Group with male holding up Philippine flag. Two men holding crossed "X" bamboo. Dancers are in black. Lighting is blue and pink.

KOSRAE, FSM
Kosrae Hilo Organization
“Sra Lo Tol, Hula Dance & Kasrpacsr”

Three males in grass skirts, tattoos, male at center is calling directly to audience. Orange light.

KOREA
“Three Treasures of Korea”

Woman in white kicks leg high in martial arts form.

SAMOA
Tupulaga O Samoa Mo A Taeao
“O oe o le toa, e lua a’u pelu, o lo’u fatu, ma le atua”

This is a large group of dancers, men and women in full regalia, headdresses, skirts, a lot of action.

TAHITI
Te Ora Nui
“Te Fara”

Female dancers in yellow grass skirts, tall head dresses, in Tahitian tradition.

JAPAN
Sei Gai Ha with Japanese Student Association
“Yosakoi & Saran-bushi”

Group photo, lots of energy, hands thrown out in different directions. The dancers wear black and orange. Orange lighting.

PALAU
Ngelekel Belau Club
“Tribute to the 16 Mother States of Palau”

Group dancing, women in teal blue tops with ethnic print, and white grass skirts. Sweet and gentle dance.

IRELAND
Hawaiʻi Irish Dance
“Irish American Celebration!”

Line of female dancers in green skirts, black top and tights, shoes. They are doing Irish tap dance.

TONGA
Tonga Otumotu Angaʻofa
“Tauʻolunga”

Women dancing, wearing pink kapa with geometric print, with pink head dress.

JAPAN
Puna Taiko
“Kazan/Expanding”

Group drumming traditional Japanese drums. Men in front have their arms held high in preparation of landing sticks on the drums. Blue lighting in background.

INDIA
Shiv-Shakti
“Indian Fusion”

Woman dancer with flames coming off her hands. Dark red lighting in background.

USA
INT Dance Squad
“We Are…”

Group in modern black leggings (men in black jeans), black sneakers, and red tops, doing hip hop dance.

MARSHALL ISLANDS
Marshallese Iakwe Club
“Biit Dance & Song”

Group wearing black with ethnic print stripe on men's shirts and print on women's dresses. Men have hats, women shell hair band.

Randon at the mic reading his poem.
Randon Jack, from Marshall Islands, recites a poem he wrote about rising sea levels in his homeland. Click here to learn more about Jack and to read the poem in its entirety.

Photos by Bob Douglas, a local artist, photographer, and sometimes part-time student who volunteers his photography skills to the Office of the Chancellor and UH Hilo Stories.

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