Tina’s Ports of Paradise mourns its founder

PORT HUENEME, Calif.

The Polynesian dance community is mourning an award-winning instructor, singer and entertainer.

Tina Vainuku, the namesake of Tina's Ports of Paradise, died the evening of January 4, after putting a brave face on terminal cancer.

Tina's Port of Paradise held dance classes in Goleta and Ventura, and Oxnard.

The group also performed professionally at the Hong Kong Inn in Ventura for more than two decades.

Every year Tina and her dancers performed at the Ventura County Fair, the Santa Barbara Fair & Expo and the Santa Barbara French Festival.

The group also performed in parades and Port Hueneme Harbor Days and countless festivals by the ocean.

She also made all of the costumes and the hats for a My Fair Lady production at the Oceanview Pavilion's Performing Arts Theatre by the beach in Port Hueneme.

When someone needed financial assistance Vainuku organized and performed with her group at fundraisers.

They raised money for La Conchita landslide and Thomas Fire survivors and families in need.

Her group also performed on the Malibu Pier during a demonstration that led to the demise of a Liquid Natural Gas terminal proposal off the coast between Oxnard and Malibu.

Vainuku said she taught her students like professional dancer. The dances came from Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand, Samoa, and other ports around the world.

Many of her students including her children and grandchildren and went on to win prestigious titles and to perform regularly in Las Vegas.

Although she had royal Samoan roots, Vainuku called Port Hueneme home.

She is survived by a large family including a newborn great grandchild.

Plans are underway for a celebration of life this month