Pacific University and Nā Haumāna O Hawai’i (NHOH) will hold its 58th annual Lūʻau on Apr. 14, 2018. The Lūʻau, which is open to all Pacific students, faculty and staff and local community members, is an experience for for everyone and offers up a real taste of Hawaiian culture.
Pacific’s Lūʻau traditionally starts with a dinner serving traditional island dishes to students and families. Then audience members are directed to the gym to watch the show, featuring several dances that incorporate all the cultures Hawai’i has to offer.
“Lūʻau started as something small in Washburn Hall, where they would perform on single stage, now it has grown to sellout crowds of 2000 people on a Saturday night,” NHOH President Haley Kodama said. “We have to open up some times on the Friday night before Lūʻau just to fulfill all the needs of everyone who wants to watch.”
Kodama said she is excited for the diversity this year’s Lūʻau is sure to showcase.
“We have incorporated different cultures from the islands into the show over the years, and the capacity of that has greatly increased,” Kodama said. “At the beginning of the school year, we have a pre-show committee and they perform dances from the previous year’s Lūʻau, or make up their own.”
NHOH is also known for giving back to the community, often preforming rehearsals and practice shows in various locations around Forest Grove, like the Forest Grove Senior Center.
“The community service in itself is great,” Kodama said. “All the hands that are required, the people we have to work with, all who do not get paid, do it out of the kindness and generosity of their hearts.”
Students interested in participating in this year’s Lūʻau can contact Lūʻau Chairs Kea Myers-Rosa or Wyatt Ma’a, also by signing up to become a member of NHOH and stopping by the NHOH Office in Clark Hall. Another option may be signing up for the Hula class in the spring of 2018 with Kea Myers-Rosa, who is the instructor as well as the co-chair of NHOH. The classes will be Monday and Wednesday, 4-4:50 p.m. every week.
“The class is something small, but that is how we get to spread our culture to other people,” Kodama said. “They get to dance in front of their family and friends, so it is an exciting time.”
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