Spreading Aloha to Our Troops

Santa Fe Springs, CA, March 12, 2007 – The Polynesian Paradise Dancers (PPD), a professional Polynesian dance company based out of Santa Fe Springs, CA has been recruited by Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE) to spread some Aloha spirit to thousands of U.S. troops abroad this upcoming May.

“We are so honored to have been invited to perform for our troops overseas,” says company director, Akemi Welsh. “The sacrifices they have made and their bravery are so uplifting- we only hope that our presence will be an uplifting force for them as well,” Welsh adds.

This marks PPD’s sixth international tour to date, having already completed 5 international tours to China within the past 2 years. During their 3-week tour, they are scheduled to visit 11 military bases across Japan, hitting several cities, including Okinawa and Hiroshima. PPD joins a long list of performers and celebrities that have been invited by AFE to help boost morale for military personnel stationed overseas.

“I can’t wait to perform for our troops and show my support for everything they have done for us back home,” shares PPD member, Amanda Pua-Olena Apanoke. “I hope that we help bring them a little closer to home, even though they are thousands of miles away,” she adds.

The Polynesian Paradise Dancers rehearse out of The Academy of Polynesian Performing Arts Dance studio based in Santa Fe Springs. Under the supervision of Akemi, the academy offers classes in various types of Polynesian Dance, including Hawaiian hula, Tahitian, Maori, Samoan and drumming. For more information contact Welsh at (562) 861-3205.