Isabel KVU Panpipers perform in Fijian village

The Isabel KVU Panpipe and Dance group have performed at the Colo-i-Suva Village, just outside Suva, during the opening of the Annual Conference of the Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific International (FSPI) yesterday.

The dance group was transiting in Fiji to sort out their visa before travelling to Hawaii to participate in the Pacific Panpipes festival at the East-West Center in Manoa during the weekend.

It is understood that yesterday's performance at the opening of the FSPI's annual general meeting in Suva was initiated by Solomon Islanders who are heading the regional non-government organization, particularly John Palmer who is also from Isabel and Rex Horoi.

The FSPI's annual conference is currently hosted in Colo-i-Suva and the KVU performance yesterday during dinner has livened the Fijian village, resulting in the presentation of personal gifts to the panpipers and floor dances.

A North Malaita leader and Director of the Solomon Islands National Museum, Mr Lawrence Foana'ota, is also accompanying the dancers to Hawaii.

The KVU Panpipe and Dance group consists of 18 performers from Santa Isabel island in the Solomon Islands. The performers hail from three villages - Koviloko, Vavarenitu, and U`uri - all on the island of Santa Isabel, thus the name KVU. The KVU Panpipe and Dance group is one of the finest in the country, and has toured internationally.

However, this will be the first time for a group from the Solomon Islands to perform in Hawaii. This Hawai`i tour is made possible by support from the Center for Pacific Islands Studies at the University of Hawai`i at Mānoa.