LACEY, Wash. – The beauty and richness of Hawaiian culture will fill Marcus Pavilion this Saturday, April 6, at Saint Martin’s annual, student-planned Lu’au, hosted on the University’s Lacey campus.
Sponsored by the Saint Martin’s University Hui `O Hawai`i Club, the celebration features an authentic lu’au feast, musical performances and entertainment from several South Seas cultures. Much anticipated in the South Sound, the Lu’au is a popular tradition for the Saint Martin’s community and a destination event for hundreds of area residents.
This year’s Lu’au theme is “Wai ‘O Pilialoha,” or, “Water of Love,” according to Saint Martin’s student Christina Atonio, president of Hui `O Hawai`i. “It is a simple theme – it’s about how love flows as easily as water,” she explains.
“The annual Lu’au is important because it brings together not only the University students, faculty and staff but members of our surrounding community as well,” says Atonio. “Families and friends come from all over to join in on one of the biggest events on campus, and that is a beautiful thing!”
Vocalists and musicians will entertain guests during the Lu’au dinner, with scheduled performances by: Raven Atonio; Taylor Yoro and Darold Yoro; Dan Caviness; Tracy Lentz, and Teilissa Tua. Colorful, choreographed student performances will follow the dinner. The Keiki Booth will serve as the headquarters for a variety of children’s activities, including the crafting of flower necklaces. In addition, a Country Store will offer local Hawaiian items, such as jewelry and autographed CDs, for sale. A raffle booth will be stocked with prizes donated by Washington- and Hawaii-based businesses.
Doors will open April 6 at 5 p.m., and the Lu’au dinner will be served at approximately 6:15 p.m. Performances will follow at about 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $20 for the dinner and the show, $10 with a Saint Martin’s ID. “Show-only” tickets (no food included; tickets purchased at the door) are $5. Children 5 years old and under attend for free. Those wishing to reserve a table must purchase eight tickets.
This event sells out each year, attracting about 650 attendees. For tickets or for more information, please email huiohawaii@stmartin.edu.
Saint Martin’s University is an independent four-year, coeducational university located on a wooded campus of more than 300 acres in Lacey, Washington. Established in 1895 by the Catholic Order of Saint Benedict, the University is one of 14 Benedictine colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, and the only one west of the Rocky Mountains. Saint Martin’s University prepares students for successful lives through its 23 majors and seven graduate programs spanning the liberal arts, business, education, nursing and engineering. Saint Martin’s welcomes more than 1,100 undergraduate students and 400 graduate students from many ethnic and religious backgrounds to its Lacey campus, and 300 more undergraduate students to its extension campuses located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Centralia College. Visit the Saint Martin’s University website at www.stmartin.edu.
