The sea has always been the thread connecting the islands of the Pacific, from Fiji to Hawaii and beyond.

While distinct in dialect and custom, Pacific cultures remain deeply interwoven through shared traditions, storytelling, and kinship.

This July, that cultural connection will take centre stage in Suva, as Fiji Fashion designer Samson Lee brings together Polynesian artists from Hawai’i for Mu’umu’u: Blooms of Aloha, a celebration of cultural identity through fashion, workshops, and performance.

Slated for July 26, Lee promises a vibrant display of Pacific artistry, featuring a fashion show, lei-making and hula workshops, and an art exhibition featuring Polynesian and Fijian creative.

A fusion of cultures across the sea

Announcing the upcoming collaboration, Lee said the event was about more than just design, it’s about “reconnecting Pacific people through shared heritage”.

“This isn’t just a fashion show,” Lee said.

“It’s a cultural movement, a celebration of who we are as Pacific Islanders and how much we still have in common, even across the vast ocean.”

To bring this vision to life, Lee has partnered with two Hawaiian artists and managers at the Polynesian Cultural Center’s theatre department Hawai’i, Marah Nui and Pewa Kawa’akaulanaonamokupuni Dela Rosa.

Meet the Artists: Cultural carriers of Hawai’i

Marah Nui, 28, is of Fijian, Tongan, and Māori descent and was raised in Lā’ie, a community steeped in Polynesian traditions.

Though not Hawaiian by ancestry, Marah has dedicated much of her life to the respectful learning and sharing of Hawaiian cultural practices.

“I definitely am not a specialist in anything,” she said, humbly.

“But what I’ve been able to learn and love came from those small instances as a young child. Then it grew in my teens to adulthood through the Polynesian Cultural Centre.”

Through her work, Marah has embraced cultural stewardship, learning hula and other art forms under the guidance of cultural practitioners and elders in her community.

Pewa Dela Rosa, carries the legacy of his family, raised in a household where hula was not optional.

His mother, Ellen Gay Kekuaokalani Dela Rosa and aunt are both Kumu Hula (master teachers of hula), and he began dancing at the age of two.

“Growing up, it was something we had to do,” Pewa said.

“But like many kids, I didn’t appreciate it until I got older. Now, every day is a learning experience and I see how powerful and unifying our traditions are.”

How the collaboration began

What began as personal connections soon evolved into something much greater.

Lee, who studied at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Hawai’i, worked with Pewa during his time at the Polynesian Cultural Centre.

“So Marah and I are related, she’s my cousin and Pewa and I used to work together,” Lee explained.

“When I was invited to show at the Hawaii State Art Museum, Marah helped me backstage, and it all just came together. A friend suggested I ask her, and she immediately recommended bringing Pewa on board.”

That organic connection, rooted in family and shared creative respect, set the stage for the event now planned for Suva.

Workshops to explore traditional knowledge

As part of Mu’umu’u: Blooms of Aloha, both Marah and Pewa will lead interactive workshops aimed at reconnecting participants with traditional Hawaiian practices.

“We’re hoping to do a foundational hula workshop, not full dancing, but focusing on basic motions and meanings,” Marah said.

“We also want to share lei po’o making (floral crown lei), which is a beautiful and culturally rich tradition in Hawai’i.”

Pewa will lead the hula session, while Marah assists and introduces the cultural significance behind the movements.

There are also discussions around incorporating elements of Pacific theatre and storytelling through additional workshops.

“Storytelling is everything,” Pewa said.

“Whether it’s hula, chants, or crafts, we all pass on traditions through song and dance.

“That’s where we connect. Fiji and Hawai’i may be far apart, but our ways of telling stories are so similar.”

The Mu’umu’u: Symbol of cultural pride

At the heart of the event is the Mu’umu’u, a traditional Hawaiian dress that has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years.

Once considered old-fashioned, the Mu’umu’u is now being reclaimed by a younger generation as a symbol of cultural pride and elegance.

“It’s really nice to see the revival,” said Pewa.

“People are now searching for vintage Mu’umu’u and aloha wear.

“There’s this renewed interest in old-school Pacific styles, and I think it speaks to a larger movement of people reconnecting with their heritage.”

Lee also expressed his excitement for the intercultural exchanges and the cultural appreciation for symbols like Mu’umu’u.

Polynesian art exhibition to precede event

A Polynesian art exhibition will officially open at the upcoming event.

Lee confirmed that the exhibition will precede both the fashion showcase and workshop sessions, creating a strong visual and cultural foundation for the program.

The exhibition will feature artwork from up to 10 established and emerging Polynesian and Fijian artists, including renowned names such as Elise Eastgate.

Lee said their works were expected to highlight themes of identity, heritage, and contemporary Pacific expression.

“We’re expecting a strong lineup,” Lee said.

“The idea is to tie the whole event together, fashion, art, performance, and learning—all under the umbrella of Pacific identity.

“This exhibition is a way to ground everything we’re doing in the region’s creative roots.”

Bridging cultures, inspiring identity

For Marah, the event is deeply personal.

“I just want to say how proud I am of Samson,” she said.

“To see this celebration of culture, of pride, of fashion, it’s part of a bigger wave happening across Polynesia.”

She said the event was not just for those already immersed in culture, but also for those looking to reconnect or discover their roots.

“Hopefully what we’re bringing inspires people to be brave, to show their pride, to learn more about their own cultures.

“That’s the heart of this, being part of something that encourages cultural pride, even if you’re still finding your way.”

“We Are One Through Storytelling”

As the Pacific weaves its way through the changing tides of modern life, migration, technology, shifting identities, there’s a deep need to hold onto the stories that shaped us.

That’s why “Mu’umu’u: Blooms of Aloha” feels like more than just an event. It feels like home. There’s something that speaks to us. Artists like Lee, Marah, and Pewa aren’t just creating; they’re remembering.

They’re reminding us of who we are, who we come from, and where we’re going.

“We are all one through storytelling,” Pewa said.

“That’s what this is all about.”