Bula Rules at Polynesian Fair

The foods, music and playful hospitality of the Polynesia were on full display in City Center Plaza today.

The a benefit for the Rohnert Park Warriors Youth Football and Cheer organization, pulled in islanders from as far as the Philippines and as near as "the island of Co-ta-ti," as one performer was introduced.

Rohnert Park's own Hawaiian songbird, Faith Ako, showed off her daughter Felila in hula performance, as well as delivering a set of island music that had the small audience ready for more.

If not too many people hung out on the grass in front of the makeshift stage at the plaza's northeast corner, you could blame the direct sun that sent midday temperatures toward 90. Or you could blame, if that's the word, the merchants selling fabrics and novelties, the jouncy-house for kids, or especially the diversity of good food with "island" roots.

Generous plates of Polynesian Roast Chicken turning over open flame was a particular flavorite, from a San Mateo family. The Fijian Salato clan offered plates of Fijian curry and taro-leaf wrapped traditional dishes, and the Kalua Pig Rice Plates from Hawaiian Grinds were nearly ubiquitos.

Here are a few photographs from midday at the Pacific Island Festival. Please feel free to add your own images to build a community gallery!