Passion drives Scalamera to teach native dances

Pua Hinano dance director Irma Scalamera performs a traditional Tahitian dance in last Friday’s 35th Annual Flame Tree Arts Festival at the Civic Center in Susupe. (Jon Perez)

Irma Scalamera is passionate in spreading the art and knowledge of dances by Pacific islanders, particularly of her native Tahiti. That’s why she formed a new group, Pua Hinano, to continue her desire of teaching the younger generation.

Pua Hinano was formed almost a month ago and is composed of one of the most diverse members with locals, Americans, Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans. They have been practicing twice a week in a place offered by one of the parents of the dancers for free.

The 35th Annual Flame Tree Arts Festival was their baptism of fire where Scalamerea and Miss Marianas Jian Joyner joining the other members of the group to entertain the weekend crowd gathered to watch the cultural performances.

“The group is composed mostly of new dancers that had never performed before. I’m just passionate about teaching and sharing what I’ve learned since I was 3 years old in Tahiti,” said Scalamera.

“I’m also teaching fourth and fifth graders at the Saipan International School as they prepare for their own show on April 29,” she added.

Scalamera arrived on Saipan in 1990. She first worked as a dinner cultural show dancer at the Hyatt Regency Saipan. She also taught others free of charge with some of her students forming their own groups that have been performing in various hotels on the island.

“I just love to dance and spread what I’ve been doing to the community. I want to share what I learned from my relatives when I was still little in Tahiti,” said Scalamera, whose uncle and aunt have their own dance groups performing in Guam.

The Pua Hinano will next perform at the Taste of the Marianas, to be held in the four Saturdays of May.

Last Friday’s Flame Tree Arts Festival also had Guam High School football coach Jacob Dowdell giving a brief talk about helping spread the sport in the CNMI. He held a one-day clinic last Saturday at Mt. Carmel School in cooperation with Commonwealth Football League Association president John Blanco.

“The CNMI has good athletes that only need further training and hopefully someday one of them can get the chance to play in an NCAA Division I football team. I’m here with my players and a football trainer to assist our sister island,” said Dowdell.

He said that seven Guam high school players have already earned college-level football scholarships, one of which is former GHS safety and linebacker Trip Chauret, who signed a letter of intent to play this season with FCS team Jacksonville State University.

Marianas Counseling Services counselor Chris Sablan also discussed the dangers of illegal substance abuse that includes “ice” or crystal methamphetamine.