The University Hawaii Club’s 29th-annual Lu’au at McArthur Court on Saturday night held a feeling of authenticity with dancing, a reggae band and indigenous Hawaiian foods such as poi shipped from the islands.
“The Lu’au is a way of bringing our culture to the mainland,” University alumnus Jason Cummings said. He said the club’s mission is to educate the public about Hawaii and maybe entice travelers to come to the islands to learn more.
The evening opened with a prayer and a Hawaiian lu’au dinner. The tables were decorated with fresh pineapple boats, and the main dishes included a tender roast pig, Shoyu chicken and white rice. Audience members were also introduced to some Hawaiian staples, like poi, which is the root from a taro plant.
“I liked the poi,” sophomore Leslie Margeson said. “It didn’t taste like anything but the color was pretty.”
Other foods included a sweet guava cake and a salty Lomi Lomi salmon mixture.
Between dinner and the show, the crowd was encouraged to visit the country store and mingle with the other visitors. The store sold everything from chocolate-covered macadamia nuts to guava jelly to beautiful orchids.
After the intermission, the dancers took the stage for part of the evening’s entertainment. Freshman Theresé Long said she attended the Lu’au to support her roommate who was dancing in the show. Long said she has never been to Hawaii but felt the Lu’au did a good job of showing mainlanders what it is like.
“This is pretty much like I’d imagine it,” she said. Long said the dances, costumes and decorations helped create a Hawaiian atmosphere.
The dancers have been practicing since January for the event, which was filled with hip shaking, grass skirts and drumming. Between acts, a video about the different areas of Hawaii and backgrounds of the dances played.
“It takes a lot of organization from over 100 student members,” Cummings said. “A lot of our parents are also a part of it. The foods that are indigenous to Hawaii have to be shipped over.”
Lu’au attendees swayed back and forth to the laid-back beats of reggae band Most High.
Sophomore Kelsie Graboyes said watching people interact during the concert helped her gain a deeper understanding of the culture.
“Seeing not only the productions, but the families here supporting their kids helped me understand the culture without them telling me,” Graboyes said.
Anyone is welcome to join the Hawaii Club, which is a group for people of all different cultures to learn about a life different from their own.
“The Lu’au can open up people’s minds to learn about the culture,” Cummings said. “In Hawaii it is a gathering for family and friends. Everyone should feel welcome, and the most important thing is remembering to enjoy life.”