Hawaii Club Hosts Annual Luau Celebration

Reported by Katelyn Lam

Photo by Allison Martinet

The Hawaii Club is hosting its annual luau on April 15 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Canyon Commons.

“Hawaii Club is the connecting force bringing this event and community together,” said club member Lukas Meyers. “Many of our club's officers and our president, Morgan, have put in a lot of time and effort to make this luau magical. This is not to say that we did this alone. So many parents, school staff, and other supporters and donors have all made countless contributions in order to make this luau possible.”

A luau is a festive gathering that marks significant events in Hawaiian culture, such as birthdays, graduations, or weddings. It centers around sharing a meal, enjoying entertainment, and celebrating community.

“To me, luau is an important event for those especially from Hawaii,” said club member Brooklyn Alejo. “As we can share the spirit of aloha on campus, we are also bringing a sense of home to campus. Our mission is to share our culture and educate others about our traditions, values, and beliefs. Luau is also a way for us to preserve Hawaiian culture and traditions by continuing to share these experiences with anyone and everyone respectfully.”

Planning for the event begins well in advance, coordinating various details from the theme to the food, decorations, and entertainment.

“We start as early as the previous year to start thinking about our theme,” said club president Morgan Joy Igaya. “Then slowly, more toward the end of the fall semester, we start working with Bon Appétit and scheduling a time for the luau so they’re prepped on the food, as well as getting our members ready.”

This year’s theme is Paniolo.

“Paniolo, which is the Hawaiian word for cowboy, is derived from the Spanish version of cowboy,” Alejo said. “In every luau, I believe our theme is a special feature, as it is what makes the luau better and sets the vibes for the event. So, I believe our themes are the foundation of luau and really help to set the vibes and emphasize a certain period or era of Hawaii.”

Dinner and dessert will feature a variety of local-style dishes.

“I call it local-style food,” Igaya said. “I try not to say Hawaiian food because Hawaiian food is different. I think that’s one of the most common misconceptions about local food, but it’s a little different because local food is like a fusion of all of our cultures intertwined, since Hawaii is so diverse.”

Menu highlights include rice, tossed greens, Okinawan purple sweet potato, and macaroni salad, which are very popular in Hawaii. The main dishes will be kalua pig and grilled teriyaki chicken. For dessert, attendees can enjoy malasadas, Portuguese donuts tossed in cinnamon sugar, and a Samoan dessert called panipopo, a sweet coconut bread.

“I think the desserts will definitely be the most popular just because those two are super popular in the islands,” Igaya said.

In addition to the meal, the evening will include entertainment such as games and a traditional hula performance.

“The substance of the program is inspired by traditional Hawaiian elements,” Meyers said. “The most obvious form may be in the form of hula, but even the little details find inspiration from the traditions and culture of Hawaii.”

Igaya hopes attendees walk away with more than just a fun evening.

“I would say, just the whole ambience and atmosphere,” she said. “A lot of people love how we kind of create a community within just one event and welcome everybody. I also hope to give them an insight into our culture.”