Something unexpected is in the air at this industrial complex in Lake Forest. 

The sound of traditional Tahitian instruments floats over the cars parked in front of Le Polynesia Cultural and Performing Arts Center. 

Half a dozen men sit by the concrete building, concentrating as they play several intertwining rhythms on their To'ere and Pahu drums. The sounds seem to greet the visitor and bid welcome. 

A transformation from the industrial to the tropical occurs when a visitor walks through the doors of Le Polynesia studio. A few dozen people of various ages are singing Pacific Island songs, playing instruments and laughing in the room, which is lined with grass mats, bamboo and tapa cloth.

In the front room, Le Polynesia owner Guy Montgomery flashes a smile while singing and playing his ukulele. His father, Junius "Junior" Montgomery, harmonizes and plays along on his acoustic guitar with two other musicians.

They finish their song and Guy Montgomery offers a warm handshake. Junior Montgomery immediately tells a joke. Guy Montgomery's wife, Lori Lei, enters and offers a hug.

In Lake Forest, the Montgomery clan has created a Polynesian cultural center where family spirit, or "Ohana," is found.

"The studio is very family oriented and run 'Ohana' style," said Lori Montgomery. "The people who dance [here] each week are not just students but part of a big family. That is the island way. The feeling of Ohana brings our students closer and helps us to maintain a sense of true teamwork."

Outside on the sidewalk, drummers can play in a circle. In the front room, people can sing and play instruments or just sit and listen. In the larger side room, dancers practice hula and other Pacific Island dances taught by Lori Montgomery.

Le Polynesia's story begins in the 1950s when Junior Montgomery and his wife, Ilima, both born in Hawaii, were part of a Polynesian entertainment group. Ilima danced and Junior strummed his guitar and sang with performers including Hawaiian singer/dancer/comedian Hilo Hattie.

Junior and Ilima Montgomery moved to the mainland but soon found other folks with Polynesian roots. They became active in the Polynesian community of Southern California.

Lori Montgomery said, "They decided that they wanted to continue to be involved with the teaching and performing of Polynesian dance styles. [This tradition] has continued for years. This year, we will be celebrating Le Polynesia's 50th anniversary."

Hula and Tahitian dance classes are offered Monday through Thursday at Le Polynesia. In addition to beginning classes, the studio provides competition classes. The competition team competes each year at many Tahitian "Fetes" or festival parties in California. 

Lori Montgomery said, "Le Polynesia hopes to continue on to the next generation. All of the Montgomery children are involved, and are beginning to take leadership roles within the studio. Dancing, singing , drumming, music [are all] a big part of the Montgomery's lifestyle. It's what we live each day. Our goal is to teach the best that we can, and to pass on all that we know to our students (haumana)."

The Montgomerys give back to the community. They recently donated an entire Polynesian dance and musical performance to Canyon Vista Elementary School where Lori is a fifth-grade teacher.

"Our motto: Live Aloha," she said.

To find out more about Le Polynesia Cultural and Performing Arts Center, visit lepolynesia.com or call 949-466-9010. LPCPAC is located at 22706 Aspan St., Lake Forest.