A Tahitian artist whose creativity brought new life to the Polynesian Cultural Center's Marquesan village over a decade ago while enrolled at BYU-Hawaii recently returned to Laie to impress on his 11-year-old daughter that she also needs to study here some day.
Eriki Marchand, who graduated from BYU-Hawaii with a bachelor of fine arts degree in 1992, brought his daughter to Laie in early August because he wanted her "to feel the same spirit I did and some day follow my steps. I know the (PCC) and BYU-Hawaii have played a big part in my life."
"I also know David O. McKay's prophecy established this place," he said. "It's a blessing for all the people of the Pacific. I wanted my daughter to see this, and feel the spirit and mana ['spiritual essence'] of this place. I'd really like to make sure she will some day choose [to attend] BYU-Hawaii."
Marchand was already 30 years old and running his own successful silk screening business in Papeete, Tahiti, when he decided to come here in 1988.
"I had always been a self-taught artist," he recalled. "Financially, I was successful, but something was missing in my life. I was frustrated about not being able to study art. That really bothered me, so I fasted and prayed. BYU-Hawaii came to my mind."
"Making the move was kind of hard," Marchand said. "I left everything behind me. I sold the business, and rented my house. Thanks to my wife, she understood I really needed to go back to school and get an education."
Marchand has no regrets.
"I made the right move at the right time," he said. "BYU-Hawaii taught me there is no limit to education. You can go to school at any time, at any age. I'm so glad I came to school here. I'm very thankful for all the experiences I had."
After an initial stint in the PCC graphics department, Marchand, who is part Marquesan, was assigned to work at PCC's Marquesan village. He explained at that time the tohua [ceremonial platform] "had no shows. It was like a museum or display, kind of like they have now for Easter Island."
"I thought it was a waste because the buildings were so nice. We needed a tribute to the Marquesan culture, which is so rich and exciting. I thought why not share that with all the world," he said.
Marchand did research and applied his knowledge of Polynesian art to add music and dance demonstrations to the village. He also created a range of museum-quality displays and costumes, including dramatic feather headdresses he made by hand; and he spent hours hand-painting authentic Marquesan tattoo motifs all over himself.
The results were so striking that the Marquesas village went from being the Center's "Polynesian ghost town" to being one of the most popular stops. Marchand was featured in Cultural Center ads, and hundreds of thousands of visitors took his picture.
"I learned to make good use of my time," Marchand said. "I was going to school. I did research and had to work at the Center. I also was called as a counselor in the bishopric, so I was busy; but I learned you can manage all that."
He also drew closer to his fellow Polynesians. "Although we are different, something unites all of us as one. We are the same people. We are Israel in the Pacific. That's our heritage."
"You can feel there is a bond among all the islanders," Marchand continued. "The languages are slightly different, but the spirit is the same. It's great to be among all the Polynesians and feel you're part of a big family. At the PCC we shared the good things about our cultures -- the same philosophy of a great respect for mother nature, and a great respect for life and our ancestors."
At the same time, Marchand said he learned a lot at BYU-Hawaii. "I had many good teachers. All of them were great. I also learned a lot about running a business from the PCC managers and President Lester Moore."
"I have no regrets. I gave a lot of my time while I was here, but I was the one who benefited from all I learned."
Returning home in 1993, Marchand put those lessons into practice. He started up his silk screening business again, and also teaches art at a private high school. "As an alumnus, I know if I create jobs I can give opportunities to other students who come home. That's really important, and part of my mission as an alumnus," he added.
He said he would also like to open his own school of Polynesian art some day "to both perpetuate Polynesian art and give drive to the youth."
Marchand added, "The uniqueness of our cultures is what makes us stand out. I like the idea of being a Polynesian artist in this modern world. We need to contrast with other artists."
"The Polynesian Cultural Center and BYU-Hawaii are great institutions," Marchand said. "They're like a nest where we have peace, harmony and aloha. The world comes to see what this aloha is all about."
"We have a message for the world: Live as one people. Live in harmony with aloha and peace."