CHICAGO — For those who can't afford a trip to Hawaii or take vacation time to get there, Chris Tuia'ana offers to bring a taste of the islands to the city.
The former Portage Park resident runs Aloha Chicago Entertainment, a company founded by his father, Herman, that specializes in Hawaiian hula dances, fire twirling, music and food.
"It's a heck of a way to make a living, and Chicago has been great to us," said Tuia'ana, who estimates his company does about 70 percent of its business within city limits, either at festivals like Taste of Chicago or private residences.
Herman Tuia'ana, a veteran performer, moved his family from the North Shore of Oahu in the late 1970s to Chicago because there was little-to-no Hawaiian forms of entertainment. The company has been around ever since and has remained a family affair. Chris Tuia'ana has a brother, sister, daughter and nephew who dance at events.
The company also provides other services like lei greeters, who place flower or silk leis around the heads of guests arriving at parties.
Tuia'ana said Aloha Chicago Entertainment offers traditional pig roast ceremonies, where a pig is cooked in an underground "imu" oven pit. The pig can be cooked on-site at a party or by Tuia'ana's company beforehand.
Tuia'ana estimates there are between 300 to 400 native Hawaiians living in the Chicago area. He said he's proud to represent his culture and show it off to Chicagoans.
"We do a lot of outside, backyard parties," he said. "We'll bring the islands to your location."
For more information on Aloha Chicago Entertainment, click here.
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