The Ho’olokahi Polynesian Alliance (HPA) holds Lu’au dance practices every Tuesday and Thursday for Ka Mo’oelo O Nā Mokupuni ‘O Hawai’i.
This is set to be the 20th annual Lu’au the HPA has hosted. The lu’au has dance performances and traditional food. The HPA is partnering with Sodexo to provide food for the event.
Sophomore Business Management major Cy Shimamura is the head coordinator for HPA. Due to the impact of COVID-19, Shimamura was not able to experience the lu’au last year.
“I’ve never experienced a lu’au. This is actually my first year as a head coordinator, so I’m not too sure how it [COVID] hit the club significantly, but I know that everyone was kind of bummed out about it, that we all had to go home. You know we were prepping like the whole year, I guess it took a toll on everyone because we work so hard and then we couldn’t have it. But everyone’s glad we’re doing it this year and I’m happy too,” Shimamura said.
Dancers have been adhering to specific guidelines to make the performance COVID safe. During practices, social distancing is maintained by practicing in boxes, and they have been wearing masks during practices as well.
“I’m pretty excited to dance again in front of a crowd,” Shimamura said.
Shimamura discussed dancing in high school, as well as learning traditional dances in a Hālau. Both of which have led him to becoming one of the choreographers for the lu’au this year.
“I’ve talked to people who’ve actually participated in lu’au before, and they said, it’s an amazing event, […] one of the best events that we have to offer at CMU. So I’m pretty excited to be a part of it,” Shimamura said.
The Lu’au is hosted in the Meyer Ballroom of the University Center on Saturday, April 3. General admission tickets cost $35, and VIP Tables cost $400.
