Wildcats’ Polynesian Pipeline brings more awareness of Polynesian culture to Tucson

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – A big attraction at Big 12 media days was Arizona football coach Brent Brennan and many of the University of Arizona players wearing traditional Polynesian leos.

It’s something Brennan said was a gift from the Wildcats’ star mother, Tetairoa McMillan.

“T-Mac’s mom brought us these and literally pulled them out of a cooler in the lobby of the Bellagio last night,” Brennan said, “I’m honored and absolutely respect what this means to their culture and so I’m excited to wear it and I think our other guys are too.”

The leis the Wildcats wore at Big 12 Media Day are mail leis that are made from leaves straight from the Hawaiian Islands and must be kept cold or refrigerated on their trip to the mainland.

These lions were traditionally worn by tribal leaders and today, if equipped, are a sign of great respect.

“The (original) use of the Maile was for peace when two chiefs would be at war,” said Tucsonan pastor and Polynesian Kalanni Kanae, “This is (her) true respect, honor and just pouring out aloha and the breath of life. their.”

Overall, it’s a welcome to the Polynesian community, and McMillan’s mother’s gesture is a tribute to the Brannan administration and the work Arizona football has done to welcome Tucson’s Polynesian community.

“It gives us pride and honor that (the football team) represents our culture, which is awesome,” said Marie Langford, lead choreographer for Siva Maia Polynesian Dancers.

The Polynesians have become synonymous with Arizona football and therefore the Tucson community in recent years. But it wasn’t always like that.

Kanae said that just a few decades ago there was virtually no trace of Polynesian culture in Tucson.

“I got here in 1998 and I thought I was the only Polynesian here,” Kanae said.

Now called the “Polynesian Pipeline” it began in the 1990s with the Dick Tomey era of Wildcat football.

It fell off in recent administrations, but Jedd Fisch and now Brennan have dived into it again, which locals say has been simultaneous with the growth of Tucson’s Polynesian community.

“Grew. There are so many different Polynesians,” Kanae said. “It’s great for the Polynesian community. It’s great for the islands, you know, to understand that there’s more to it than hula or Hawaii Five-O.”

Because of this influx of Polynesian players into the Wildcat football program, the Polynesian way of life is now ingrained in Tucson and Wildcat football.

“I think the beauty of Polynesian culture is the family component, the respect component, the hard work, like all those things, and then just a natural talent,” Brennan said.

It’s a culture that those living in the Tucson community said they want to continue to educate people about as the spotlight on the Wildcat players expands.

“It’s all about perpetuating your culture, never letting it die and that’s it, that’s what’s important,” Kanae said.

The Siva Maia Polynesian Dancers host events to celebrate and educate about the Polynesian way of life. Their next big event is Pan Asian Community Luau Alliance on August 24.

“What we want to share is the culture of the Polynesian people, and we respect the culture,” Langford said.

Be sure to subscribe to the 13 News YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@13newscold

Copyright 2024 13 News. All rights reserved.