OPS Newsletters

Lu'au: One Family's Story

Pacific University’s Annual Lu`au will be April 14th. Lu`au is always the second Saturday in April, and with it about 140 parents and family members come to campus to help the students of Na Haumana O Hawaii (NHOH) prepare and present the largest student-run Lu`au in the world. Last year the club served approximately 1600 dinners and had 2700+ in attendance for the show. Preparation for the event starts long before anyone might realize, the Sunday after Lu`au to be exact.

One of the most important aspects of this event is the parents. Lu`au Parent State Coordinator(s) is a position that:

This position is important and extensive in its duties. For the second year Joe and Manu Maunupau have held this position. Kamanu '07, the Maunupau's daughter, is an instructor and former student chair. I was able to interview both Manu and Kamanu regarding their involvement with Lu`au and Pacific.

 

Denise: Your parents have a pretty big job as the state coordinators. How has that impacted you?

Kamanu: Positively! Being State Coordinators is their way of giving back. It was a given that they couldn't support me financially; I had to obtain scholarships to be able to go to college. In every other way they are always there no matter what. Their involvement and time involved is their way of showing support. Their involvement, since my freshman year, made adjusting to college easier because I knew that they were there and willing to support me in whatever I did. I received a box today for Valentine's Day "just because." Some of my friends can't believe that they sent me a package "just because."

Denise: What does it mean for you and the club to have 140 family members come to Pacific and help you with putting on the annual Lu`au?

Kamanu: Very Lucky! There are many students who live much closer to family and their parents are not involved with what they are doing here at Pacific. Our parents work all year long to gather donations, make costumes, etc... and then fly 2500 to 3000 miles to cold, rainy Oregon to work their tails off. They also bring us food, which is very important to us, and they make us look great.

Denise: When I spoke with your mom she was telling me that as a family you were very involved with putting on Lu`aus for first birthday, graduations, weddings, school and halau* functions especially with the preparation of the food. Why is "food" so important to the Hawaiian culture?

Kamanu: There is nothing like bringing everyone together as a cohesive unit to prepare and eat our ono licious** food. This is when the most communication and good times happen. It is very important to us to have this time together as an `Ohana.

Denise: Being so far away has been especially difficult for your mom. She owns up to being the most emotional parent there is and crying for a week after you leave and tells me she isn't alone. What arrangements did you make with your parents before you came to Pacific to keep in touch?

Kamanu: My mom, dad and I made the agreement that unless it was urgent we wouldn't call, trying to keep costs down, except for one time a week for as long as it takes. On a couple of occasions it was three hours later, my ear went numb, and other times I've had to call back if I had to go to practice, but for my parents and myself it keeps us connected and keeps at bay my mother's need to have me close to her.

Denise: Your mom will be the first person to say that she is and always has been a very involved parent. If you had the opportunity to tell parents of your peers about becoming involved with their college career what would you say?

Kamanu: I feel the more involved you are with your child's education the stronger and closer your relationship will be. I appreciate the fact that my parents take the time to call and see how things are going or to let me know what is going on at home. On a side note I would say, "you didn't lose a child but gained a sleepy adult with lots of laundry which we would love for you to do for us."

We hope you are able to join us for Lu`au. For general or ticket information please go to www.pacificu.edu/studentlife/luau.

*A halau is a school of hula. Teachers of hula undergo many years of learning to become a teacher. To be in a halau you must have discipline, dedication, and desire. Anyone can learn a hula, but to hula well you have to portray the emotions of the song as if you are telling someone a story through expression.

**Ono Licious is slang for delicious food.