Putting the "Hawai'i" Back in BYU Hawai'i

History was made on Friday, Nov. 30, as the Hawaiian Club unveiled its first-ever "Aloha Friday" show at the Aloha Center. The informal show, which was originally meant to showcase the chants and dances learned throughout the semester, did more than just that: it sent a clear message to our BYUH and Lā'ie Communities that we're not just a Club that's active for SongFest or Culture Night--we're a Club that's been active every step of the way.

The audience, comprised of students, teachers, and community members, were treated to the musical stylings of one of our Hawaiian Club Trios, Mark "Uluhani" Serrao on lead vocals/guitar, Kūlani Watson on rhythm 'ukulele, and Kaipo Akana on bass. Emceeing the Show was Hawaiian Club President Jacob Nihipali, and performing were Corbin Rivera, Koji Okuzumi, Kale Kau'i, Kāwika Kau'i, Leas Moreang, Kana Takeuchi, Violet Fonoimoana, Christina Jeffery, and Jasmine Canlas.

"What you see before you today is a very small part of the 100 plus members who make up our Hawaiian Club 'Ohana this semester," noted Jacob Nihipali at the start of the performance. "These are dedicated students who voluntarily come out every Tuesday and Thursday evenings to our Workshops."

The show opened up with our Hawaiian Club oli (chant), after which dancers did a hula ka'i, or entrance hula, entitled "Hiki Mai." The kāne and wāhine then performed "Kāwika," and the men ended the kahiko portion impressively with "E Ola Ka Honua." Opening the hula 'auana, or modern, section of dances was Kale Kau'i with "Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai," after which the kāne and wāhine came back on stage to do "Noho Paipai," a couples' hula which the crowd loved. President Nihipali then invited members of the Hawaiian Club who were in the audience to join us in singing "He Hawai'i Au," and Uncle Bill Wallace, Director of BYUH Hawaiian Studies, joined us on stage and added his voice of harmony as we all sang with "one voice, one mana."

It was yet another milestone for our Club, and as we prepare for next year's events, we hope you will be able to join us for what promises to be an even better semester! Perhaps our Club Photographer, Jill Bleazard, said it best of Friday's performance: "Right on, everyone! You guys are awesome, seriously! You're definitely putting the Hawai'i back in BYU Hawai'i!"