My research explores the phenomenon of Tahitian dance in French Polynesia as well as its popularity the state of Hawai'i. The islands became French territory in 1842 and since that time there have been conflicts ans struggle for the Polynesians to identify with their own culture. Tahitian dance has been a popular outlet to express this struggle. My research addresses each popular spokesperson or political activist to help represent the Tahitians and bring back the old cultural traditions. My poster will look at the time in which the French first arrived to the islands to a revolutionary movement, as well as explore where the culture stands today and how Tahitian dance has transformed.