Word: hawaiian
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...curb with a large bumper sticker that said, "Aloha spirit. Don't leave home without it." I quickly made my way toward the warm glow emanating from Walker Memorial Hall where I was greeted with the brimming smiles of friends from back home, tropical flowers, and beautiful Hawaiian music...
...early Hawaii, it was custom to celebrate auspicious occasions with a feast. Whether the birth of a child or the completion of a new home or canoe, Hawaiians traditionally took time to honor their many Gods and to share their bounty with friends and family. So, in the spirit of luaus past, the Hawaiian community on the east coast converged, donning their best aloha attire (mo'u mo'u's, floral shirts, surf shorts) to leave behind mid-term studies and celebrate Hawaii's unique culture. Most of the students came from MIT, but the luau also lured students from...
...traditional opening chant called Oli Aloha. Her rich, deep voice gave shape to the complex and poetic chant, capturing everyone's attention and setting the tone for the hula dances to follow. It was clear, that this would not be one of those oft encountered theme party caricatures of Hawaiian culture where ti leaf skirts are traded for cellophane ones, where canned pineapple wedges thrown on pizza qualify as a tropical Hawaiian feast. This was pretty close to the real thing. Authenticity of Hawaiian culture is hard to come by, especially on the main-land and when found...
...ceremonial forms, the hula is an integrated system of poetry, movement and rhythm. The MIT performances displaced any Hollywoodish notions that the audience might have had, impressing upon them the beauty, power, and aloha imbued in the hula. When asked about his impressions after his first encounter with Hawaiian culture, MIT sophomore Mike Jacuba said, "This is all so much fun, so impressive. It makes you feel all warm during the winter. You can't help but leave with a good feeling...
Hayashida said that though it was a challenge getting such a large production off the ground with such a small college club, "It was totally worth it." "We put this on to spread Hawaiian culture," he said. Talking to him, I saw the importance of the luau, not just to spread Hawaiian culture but also to keep it alive in our lives here in Boston while we're so far from home. Zoe Kwok, a Wellesley sophomore, related that she felt that the luau "was an accurate representation of Hawaiian culture and a great place for people from Hawaii...