Welcome to the page of Meki's Tamure Polynesian Arts Group! We are a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit organization that strives to perpetuate the Polynesian cultural arts through education, entertainment and instruction. We celebrated our 50th anniversary in 2019 thanks to our awesome supporters. Your generous donations and support will allow us to continue our mission for another 50 years! I
f you’re looking for the very finest Polynesian entertainment for a lu’au, festival or other event, say “Aloha” to Meki’s Tamure Polynesian Arts Group! Providing a perfect blend of native Polynesian performances, dancing, music and fun since 1969! About the Founders...
Meki & JoAnn Toalepai started the group in 1969 after performing together for several years at the Hawaiian Room in the Emerson Hotel in downtown Baltimore. Meki immigrated to the United States from Western Samoa in the 1960s and was involved in a traveling Polynesian dance group which toured across the states. His group landed a contract engagement at the Hawaiian Room and was an immediate hit with subsequent contract extensions requested. With Hawaii becoming the 50th state, hula clubs were popping up around the country and JoAnn, a native of Baltimore, fell in love with the dances of Hawaii and Polynesia. They met and a few years later tried to marry but Maryland laws at the time prohibited unions between whites and non-whites so they were forced to marry in Washington, DC. The story was captured in Time Magazine (Feb 25, 1966, Vol 87, No. 8). Due to major press coverage and congressional pressure, Maryland overturned its discriminatory law one year later. The couple settled in Maryland after a brief hiatus to California and live in Baltimore still today. About the Directors...
The group was taken over by their oldest son, Meki and his wife Kim, in 1992 and continues its mission of spreading the Polynesian cultural arts to Maryland and surrounding states. Meki and Kim were on hiatus for a few years as a work tour to Hawaii materialized but returned to resume directorship in 2016. While in Hawaii, Meki and Kim were completely immersed in the Polynesian cultures and gained valuable insights in the associated arts. Meki had joined several Oahu performing groups as a Tahitian drummer and singer/keyboardist (Tahiti Mana, Kalena's Polynesian Ohana, Malu Productions, Island Storm 808 Band and Hotline Band). Meki had the opportunities to perform at notable places such as Waikiki's Diamond Head Luau & Hale Koa Luau, Turtle Bay Resort, Haleiwa Joe's Luau, Pacific Aviation Museum, Waikiki Shell, Kualoa Ranch, Polynesian Cultural Center, Hickam Officers Club and many others. Upon returning to Maryland, Meki and Kim began implementing many things learned in Hawaii to upgrade Meki's Tamure. In 2019, Meki was appointed by Governor Larry Hogan to serve as a Commissioner in his Office on Asian Pacific American Affairs. Meki is the first and only Pacific Islander to serve in Maryland and looks to leverage his appointment to further the mission of sharing the cultural arts of Polynesia with Maryland constituents. Meki also heads up the Island Breeze Band which is the affiliate band of Meki's Tamure whose goal is to provide a great mix of your standard rock, pop, classic rock, country but with a mix of Hawaiian flavored reggae. We hope you’ll become part of our Ohana and support our mission through liking and sharing our page, attending our events and making a one time or recurring tax deductible donation to help us sustain our operations and initiatives! Thank you in advance! �����
