By: Paige Scofield Campus Life Editor
Western is home to many clubs and organizations that are willing to open up and share culture with the rest of campus. This is important for students, because they can get the ability to peer into and enjoy other cultures to better understand their peers.
Among these clubs that so kindly share their culture is Hawaii club.
Hawaii club is a campus organization that promotes the sharing of Polynesian culture on Western’s campus.
“It was also created to be a place for Hawaii students to go. Coming from a small island it can be a culture shock for a lot of the freshmen” said Nolan Arasato, Hawaii Club president. “It’s to share our Aloha spirit and knowledge with the people here at Western.”
“We sometimes perform at campus events like the International Nights or some banquets on campus,” said Arasato, “But we put on a Luau every year during spring term.”
This event is the biggest and sometimes only event Hawaii Club puts on the whole year.
It’s an event that takes a lot of planning, and Western students get the chance to go to it again. The Luau is held on Western’s campus for anyone to come enjoy and learn about Polynesian culture.
“It is a dinner and hula show that is planned and performed by the club and we share our Polynesian culture with people that attend. We have songs and dances from all over Polynesia,” said Arasato.
This is the 11th annual luau that Hawaii Club has put on, and it will take place on April 15. Admission is $5 for students with a Western ID and general admission is $7.
Arasato also wanted to make it very clear that everyone is encouraged to join Hawaii Club. “Anyone can join the Hawaii club. Even if you’re not from Hawaii. It is a place where we learn from one another’s experiences. Please feel free to join us and maybe even perform with us on stage at our next Luau,” said Arasato.
“Hawaii Club is important to me, because the Hawaiian culture is a dying culture. The only way we can help our culture, is by sharing and educating others about where we live and who we are. We are an oral culture, meaning a lot of our history was told through stories, chants and hula. Without language we have nothing,” stated Arasato.
Hawaii Club meets Fridays at 6 p.m. in the Columbia or Pacific Room in the Werner University Center. Attend meetings to learn more about Hawaii Club, Polynesian culture, dances and history. Feel free to drop into any of the meetings to meet and learn about fellow peers on Western’s campus.
Contact the author at journalcampuslife@wou.edu
