Annual Lu’au Offers Entertaining and Authentic Hawaiian Experience

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.