‘Ohana’ gathers at luau

photo by Sylvia Castellanos

At the Kanaka Hui Ohana Luau on Tuesday, Akemi Welsh and Unica Luna, Polynesian Paradise Dancers, entertained the crowd with authentic dances. It was sponsored by several campus departments and local businesses.

by Adrian Medrano
Staff Writer

“Kanaka hui ohana” is the Hawaiian phrase for “bringing people together as a family,” and that is what the University of La Verne Kanaka Hui Ohana Club did in the University Mall on Thursday with its annual luau for dinner time.

The atmosphere was lively, as Hawaiian music and the smell of food filled the air. As an alternation to regular cafeteria meals, the crowd enjoyed meals like kalua pig, chicken katsu, rice, poi and haupia cake.

“I liked the food,” said ULV junior Kapono Kobylanski, president of Kanka Hui Ohana.

Students drew raffles and won many prizes, such as a free pass to Boomer’s, a gift basket and Hawaiian shirts. The grand prize was a full computer donated by the Office of Information Technology.

Other free gifts were given out, such as free samples of sunscreen.

“The crowd participation made the whole event,” Kobylanski said.

He was not expecting as big a turnout. Almost 400 students and faculty members attended the event.

“A lot of people stuck around for the entertainment,” Kobylanski said. “Last year, everyone left after they ate.”

The luau was a success with many students enjoying the festivity.

“My favorite part was being able to see a new culture,” said sophomore Stephanie Dreyer. “It was great that all the students were into it.”

Dreyer, along with junior Sarah Hoisington, greeted people with leis, the traditional Hawaiian necklace of flowers.

Polynesian dancers were at the event and gave dance lessons to some present.

“The Polynesian dancers were great,” Hoisington said. “It was funny when people went on stage.”

Kobylanski is expecting an even bigger attendance next year. “There were about 200 people that came last year,” he said. “ I think we might get close to 500 next year.”

Kobylanski is in his second year as Kanaka Hui Ohana president and is looking forward for another member to take over in the next term.

Various businesses from the city of La Verne helped sponsor the luau along with the Associated Student Forum, Residential Housing Association, Sodexho and OIT.