Hawaiian Club says, Aloha

The Hawaii Club luau was held on Saturday, May 12.  “This is the best luau the Hawaii Club has had. I am very proud of our members and everyone else who participated in the luau Saturday,” said Kainoa Kaohu, president of the Hawaii Club. More than 200 people pre-bought their tickets, including students, faculty and community members.

With people waiting anxiously in line outside the New P.E. Gym, doors opened at 4:30 p.m., ready to invite everyone to enjoy this event. There were still tickets available at the door which were mostly bought by students from other schools and family members who came to support.

The tickets included a full dinner, a show, a concert and several chances to win prizes. The dinner was served with macaroni salad, teriyaki chicken, kalua pork, lomi salmon and coconut cake for dessert, with Hawaiian punch to drink.

After dinner, there was a show put on by the members of the Hawaii Club. The show included several traditional dances that represented all parts of the South Pacific Islands.

“The luau was fun to be a part of. I heard a lot of positive comments about the dances and the food. Everyone’s hard work definitely paid off,” said Courtney Chang, member of the Hawaii Club. After the show was a concert with Hawaiian born song writer and singer Anuhea, featuring reggae artist Mishka from Bermuda.

“It was a great first luau for me at [Western]. The dancers were great and everything else about that night was beautiful,” said Krystonia Katoa.

There were several chances for the audience to participate in the luau and most won prizes. Several audience members were chosen as volunteers to learn how to shake their hips by the Tahitian dancers.

“I have gone to the past annual luaus in my three years here at Western, but I have never seen the “princess dance” that was performed at the show this year. That dance was my favorite. I just loved the costume, the head dress and how different this dance was to anything I have ever seen before. At first, I was confused as to why people where getting up and putting money on the princess while she was dancing, but later found out that the money giving is a Samoan tradition for that dance. I also really enjoyed the food. My favorite was the kalua pork and the rice. I have tried Hawaiian food before, but this food was just amazing,” said Olivia Rodriguez.

This year’s Hawaii Club  continued their tradition of a luau  and looks forward of keeping this Western and Hawaiin tradition going as well as other Hawaii Club events in the future.