Ka Pu’uhonua Hawai’i Club is set to host its annual luau on Sun., April. 6, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Common’s Lawn, just outside of the CU Arena. The event will celebrate Hawaiian culture with traditional food, live music and entertainment.

This year’s theme, “Ua ola loko i ke aloha,” translates to “love gives life within,” which was created by freshman Jai Viela, Secretary of Ka Pu’uhonua. This reflects the importance of love and community among the people of Concordia. “We hope that we can give attendees a true experience of Hawai’i – showcasing the beauty of our culture. We also hope to showcase the hard work of Ka Pu’uhonua Club and how we are trying to be a home away from home for those away from Hawai’i,” said Viela.

The club has been organizing luaus since the 2021-2022 academic year, with this year marking the fourth annual event. For the club, the luau is a significant tradition that strengthens bonds within the community. Junior and President of Ka Pu’uhonua, Maleah Kanayama, shared how club members have been involved with planning and executing the luau this year. “To fundraise, we make spam musubis. Many of the members help by making musubis and then selling them out to everyone on campus. Also one of the freshmen stepped up to teach Hula for the luau as well,” said Kanayama.

Attendees can expect a feast catered by Nalu’s Grill, featuring traditional Hawaiian dishes such as Kalua pork and cabbage, chicken katsu, mac salad, white rice and Haupia. In addition to the food, Hawai’i club member freshman Lyla Sato said, “The evening will be filled with great raffle prizes that are exclusively in Hawaii, a snack bar that includes local Hawaiian snacks, fire dancing, hula performances, games, and live music from a band called “Aloha Spirit.”

The luau will take place in the evening for the first time, creating a more relaxed and festive atmosphere. According to Kanayama, “Check-in will open at 5 p.m. and attendees are encouraged to dress in Aloha attire. Early bird tickets are available for students at $10 until March 28. Tickets are required for entry and can be bought online.” “There will be advertisements around campus for you to scan QR codes and purchase tickets,” said Viela. The event is family-friendly, and all are welcome to attend.

For those interested in volunteering, “The club will first reach out to its members and then extend invitations to the broader student body if additional help is needed,” said Kanayama. According to Viela, “If you would like to get involved with this event, you can join us and dance! Or email kapuuhonuaclub@cui.edu to see how you can help.”

The Ka Pu’uhonua Hawai’i club invites everyone to join in celebrating Hawaiian culture and the broader Asian-Pacific Islander community at this year’s luau. Beyond the food and entertainment, the event can be seen as an opportunity to learn more about Hawaiian traditions and to connect with diverse cultures. “Having the luau definitely brings awareness to the Pacific Islander culture and is a comforting time to gather and meet new people,” said Sato. 

Don’t miss out on the island vibes, grab your tickets and join in for an evening of Aloha!

 

Tags: clubs, Clubs and Organizations , Culture , event

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