The Hawai’i Club promises an aloha experience and cultural feast at the upcoming Luau. Be ready to hula and catch the island spirit.
Danielle Bosio
Staff Writer
“Ohana means family and family means no one gets left behind.”
This popular quote from the movie “Lilo and Stitch” describes the spirit of the club called Na Nalu O Hawai’I, meaning “The Waves of Hawai’i,” also known as the Hawai’i Club.
“Among the greatest goals of our club is to provide a sense of ‘home’ to students away from their families in Hawai’i, and provide cultural awareness and diversity to the Pepperdine community in hopes of reaching other students,” said club vice president Christy Lau. “And year by year our club grows in number because of that contagious aloha spirit.”
Many students from the 85-member club are beginning rehearsals for their most notable event on campus: the Luau.
“The luau is a celebration of Hawaiian culture,” said Brent Monden, a former Hawai’i club leader who graduated in December. “We have dinner, a band, entertainment and most importantly, we dance.”
This year’s performance promises to be different than past ones, although still located in the Firestone Fieldhouse. Lau promised a new format with great sets, cool effects and said students “should be ready for a ‘hot’ finale.”
The performance itself is titled “Maui: A Vision of Polynesia.” It traces the life of Maui, a Hawaiian icon, in his adventures throughout Polynesia, Lau explained. Two club members will narrate as others dance the stories of how Maui “slowed the sun,” “pulled up the islands” and “discovered fire,” telling the legend through Maori, Tahitian and Hawaiian tradition, respectively.
“It is a narrative featuring song and dance,” said Ashley Obrey, president of the Hawaii Club. “It promises to be an interesting show because not only is it visually stimulating, but it will share with the audience an important part of Hawaiian culture.”
The club also plans to bring in a variety of music and dances that will capture not only the essence of Hawaiian culture, but of other cultures as well. The vibrant evening introduces Hawaiian bands, Tahitian dances, the hula and even reggae music. The Hawai’i Club welcomes everyone to try its cultural dances, at the Luau performance or rehearsals.
“It was cool learning the new dances,” said club member Lacey Ubaldi. “It was kind of scary dancing in front of al the people at the luau, but it was fun putting it together and getting festive.”
Obrey only has one request from Luau performance participants: “Anyone may come and try dancing regardless of experience. What we do expect is commitment.”
The Luau is meant to spread the Hawaiian culture to people who are willing to learn about it.
“We don’t profit from (the Luau) at all,” Lau said. “But we do it for the community.”
Last year 400 people attended the Luau. This year, as last, guests will have a chance to win prizes. Past gifts include black pearls and a free stay in a Tahitian hotel.
The event will be held Saturday, April 9th. The doors will open at 5 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6 p.m. The show itself starts at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for students with a valid student ID, $15 for non-students, and $5 for children under the age of 12. The show alone with no dinner costs $5, but the extra $5 might be worth the authentic tropical cuisine from Bob’s Hawaiian Food in Gardena, Calif.
“The Hawai’i Club started as a way to create a sort of security blanket for Hawai’i kids who go to college away from home,” Obrey said. “The club is good for those who want to be around people who share the same experiences and come from the same sort of background.”
This does not mean that the club is only limited to “kama’ aina,” or Hawai’i natives. Obrey encouraged all Pepperdine students to join.
“Aloha is important: not only does it mean ‘love,’ but it also is a greeting,” said Obrey. “We always want to greet new people, no matter where they’re from or what other interests they have. It’s fun being diverse like that.”
The club members said they hope to create a larger presence on campus this year.
“I am hoping to add more of a Hawaiian- culture element to what we do, so people can see beyond the expected and loved ‘tourist destination,” Obrey said.
03-17-2005
