2008 Woodie Awards
HAPA reinvents the Lu'au
Zack Farmer
Issue date: 5/15/07 Section: News
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HAPA President Brandon Elefante '08, one of the founding members of HAPA (originally Da Hawaii Club) was very proud of the event. "From inception, the vision was to create a big event, the Lu'au," Elefante said. "A lot of the was encompassed [Saturday]."
The event was very family oriented as the families of many of the performers were in attendance.
The audience dressed for the occasion as many sported Hawaiian shirts and attire. They even participated in many of the performances. "The key is to keep your audience active," said Elefante. "If you see your colleagues up there, you have a good laugh."
Associated Students of Saint Mary's College President Connor McNeill participated when dancers from the Spirit of Polynesia "volunteered" him to teach him to dance.
The Lu'au had a total of seven performers for a two-hour program. "A lot of people were impressed with our student performers," Elefante said. "A lot of our dancers had prior experience."
The dances ranged from Tongan to Hawaiian, Samoa to Tahiti and many more.
The Lu'au is also the only culture night that is produced from the club it represents. The Bash, Asian Culture Night, Latino Culture Night, and Expressions of Blackness are separate from the organizations they are so often attached to (Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), Asian Pacific American Student Association (APASA), Latino American Student Association (LASA), and Black Student Union (BSU)).
The Lu'au returned to Saint Mary's after a long hiatus after the original Lu'au was renamed "Oasis." Elefante said, "Before when Oasis used to be called the Lu'au, the Lu'au was a misrepresentation of what a Lu'au was. It's supposed to represent family, community."
HAPA originated three years ago after being one of two clubs to break off from APASA, the now debunked South Asian Awareness Club being the other. HAPA has received nothing but help from APASA this year. APASA '06-'07 President Jessica Lee '07 helped the Lu'au with their technical needs. Some of the APASA members are also members of HAPA.
Approximately 170 people attended the event which was near completely funded by money fundraised by HAPA. The group has high ambitions for next year's event as they wish to double turnout and to bring in a live band.
The planning stages will work well in combination with the interest HAPA received following the event. "A lot of people not involved this year, want to be involved next year," he said.
The group has planned ahead and has the 2nd annual Lu'au planned for May 10, 2008.