Annual Lu’au Offers Entertaining and Authentic Hawaiian
Experience
After a warm and sunny Washington afternoon, Olympia residents
headed to Marcus Pavilion for a Hawaiian experience. Hui O’ Hawai’i’s Annual
Lu’au took place on Saturday April 9, drawing a crowd clad in floral shirts,
dresses and skirts. Over fifty tables covered the floor, and the popular event
gathered enough people to fill them all.
Jaime Rosenburg,
President of Hui O’ Hawai’i explained how much hard work goes into the Lu’au
each year. “It takes so much time and
planning. We literally start planning the next Lu’au the meeting
after the previous Lu’au has ended. It's a year process.”
The activities planned for the first
part of the evening included a Keiki Booth to keep children entertained, a
“Country Store” to buy Lu’au souvenirs, a photo booth, raffle drawings and a
Shave Ice station. The Shave Ice, which Rosenburg said was a new addition this
year, was in high demand, with the line stretching the length of the pavilion
until the station was shut down for the evening. Some waited in line for over
half an hour in anticipation of the cold treat. Each attendee’s ticket included
a voucher for one shave ice, and people could be seen walking, talking or
sitting everywhere with their colorful ice in hand.
Anna Belford, an SMU Junior, was a
first time attendee of the Lu’au. She observed the crowded room and Lu’au scene
saying, “Yeah, it’s really impressive.” Belford had never attended an authentic
Lu’au in Hawaii either, but said that she wished she had. Rosenburg stated that
Hui O’ Hawai’i’s Lu’au is comparable to those held in Hawaii.
“It's very similar. We don't have
access to a lot of fresh flowers like they do in the islands. We also can't
have fire dancers or have our Lu’au outside due to the chance of rain. But
other than that, the food and entertainment are very similar to that of a
traditional Hawaiian Lu’au.
The menu for the night included Kalua
Pig, Shoyu Chicken, Macoroni Salad, Steamed Rice and Guava cake among other
delicious options. After those in attendance had their fill of the traditional
Hawaiian feast, the final entertainment of the night commenced on center stage.
The Lu’au evening ended with multiple traditional dance performances. The
choreographers and dancers on stage ranged from St. Martin’s faculty to Hui O’
Hawai’i’s own members, all performing beautifully for the large crowd.
Hui O’ Hawaii’s planning and hard work
certainly paid off for this year’s Lu’au. Though the long lines for food and
Shave Ice caused some grumbling among the impatient, the photo booth, Keiki
Booth and “Country Store” offered individuals entertainment while waiting for
their turn. Island music maintained an easygoing atmosphere throughout the
first part of the evening as people ate and talked, and the dancing
entertainment drew loud cheers and whistles of approval.
Hui O’ Hawaii “always manages to make
Luau successful and fun every year,” said Rosenburg. “They're amazing!” Now on
to planning next year’s Lu’au.
