Luau helps growing club bring Hawaiian culture to campus

The Hawaii club on campus is putting on a Luau, May 8. There are plans for an authentic meal, Hawaiian dance and music. The club is selling tickets for $8 with a student ID and $10 without.

Lehua Kamakawiwoole

Most people think they have to travel to Hawaii to experience a luau. However, on Thursday, May 8, Biola’s Hawaii Club is bringing the traditional feast to students.

“A ‘luau’ is a big party, where there is ono [delicious] food, great entertainment and lots of fun with friends and family,” said Hawaii Club member Landon Pascua.

Including a traditional Hawaiian BBQ dinner and live music, the Hawaii Club Luau will be on Sycamore Lawn from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Different forms of Hawaiian dancing will also be featured, such as hula and Tahitian. There are currently about three-dozen people attending the luau, but tickets will be on sale every day in front of the Café until May 8. Hawaii Club President Kardyn Flores urges students to buy their tickets early since students with IDs who purchase before May 8 only have to pay $8. Tickets will sell at the door for $12 for guests or students without IDs, according to Flores.

In addition to entertainment from different halaus (hula groups), the luau will showcase the Hawaii Club’s own hula ministry. In between performances, a brief explanation of each dance will be given, according to Flores.

“It is important for people to understand the context and cultural significance behind each dance,” Flores said.

Partnering with Bon Apetit, the Hawaii Club will offer a buffet-style menu of traditional Hawaiian food. The menu includes kalua pig (traditional cooking of the pig), chicken katsu (fried chicken), kalbi and haupia (coconut pudding). The food will be one of the luau’s highlights, according to club vice president Shirly Faith Tagayuna, as it passed the members’ standards for “authentic” Hawaiian food.

“I’m definitely looking forward to the food,” Tagayuna said. “I’m also excited for the haka performance: the ‘haka’ is a New Zealand war call or dance.”

Over the past year, the Hawaii Club has done a number of fundraisers for their second annual luau. These fundraisers included car washes in the Alpha parking lot the last two weekends, as well as selling Hawaiian merchandise. The fundraisers were an overall success, earning the Hawaii Club over $300 for their luau.

The luau is a big event for the young but growing Hawaii Club, which was founded in August 2004 by Biola alumnus David Bartosik (2006). The Hawaii Club exists to “promote the positive attributes of Hawaiian culture among the Biola community and break down cultural stereotypes,” according to its Mission Statement. The club also emphasizes Hawaiian values, such as lokahi (unity), ‘ohana (family) and aloha (love), according to Flores.

“Hawaii is known for the ‘Aloha Spirit,’ which is a spirit of unity, generosity and strong family ties,” she said. “The Hawaii Club strives to bring the essence of the ‘Aloha Spirit’ to Biola’s campus, encouraging students with different backgrounds and ethnicities to interact harmoniously.”

The current Hawaii Club advisor is Admissions Counselor Jason Mundy, who oversees the club’s 21 members. However, membership is not limited to people from Hawaii, according to Flores; anyone who wants to be a member of the Hawaii Club can join. Club members engage in a variety of activities, such as hula performances, fellowship with other students from Hawaii, eating cultural food and learning more about Hawaiian culture and traditions. The Hawaii Club’s previous performances and events include the “Hawaii Christmas in the Café” dinner, the Spring 2006 Luau, and hula dancing during Missions Conference 2007.

According to club members, the luau will provide the ultimate “authentic Polynesian cultural experience” that is unique to Hawaii. As May 8 draws nearer, club members are increasingly encouraging their friends to attend the spring event.

“It’s something Biolans will not want to miss,” Pascua said.