Pacific Islander Student Association hosts first-ever lūʻau

The Pacific Islander Student Association (PISA) held its first-ever lūʻau on April 26 with the help of the Residence Hall Association (RHA). The lūʻau featured traditional activities and foods from a range of Pacific Island cultures.

PISA was founded in mid-August of 2023, according to club president Ku’umakalehiwaonālani Ruidas. “We just wanted to bring a taste of Hawai’i and the Polynesian triangle over here. Also just to correct misunderstandings about the cultures and reeducate people,” she said.

PISA had hoped to host a lūʻau since they got started but were unsure where to begin according to Ruidas. “We haven’t done too many events before ‘cause I haven’t ever done a student government-type position, organizing my own events.”

Zachary Turner with the Hyalite RHA reached out to PISA, prompting the lūʻau event. Hyalite was already planning on hosting a lūʻau and decided to reach out to PISA in hopes of more accurately representing the culture. “From there, we’ve been working almost every day this past month to get this event up and running,” Ruidas said.

PISA faculty advisor Mike Coble said, “They surprised me with how much work they were doing, so hopefully it continues to grow.”

Despite the rain, the lūʻau began at 4 p.m. with outdoor activities in the grass outside Hyalite Hall. As seen on the PISA MSU event page, the games were “Huki Huki” — tug of war, “Uma” — laying down arm wrestle, “Pa Uma” — standing arm wrestle, “Haka Moa” — Hawaiian chicken fight and cornhole.

Dinner was served at 6 p.m., featuring traditional Hawaiian and Polynesian foods such as kalua pork, pani popo and sweet potato haupia pie. PISA thanked those who helped make the event possible with handmade leis, then held two Hula performances after the guests had settled into their seats. The performers danced to “Malama Mau Hawai'i” and “Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai.”

The rest of the night consisted of bracelet making, tea leaf Lei weaving taught by Ruidas, Hawaiian stamp art called 'Ohe Kapala and Kōnane. The PISA members all spent a night working together to make the Kōnane boards by hand, according to Ruidas.

Attendees were able to earn raffle tickets by participating in these activities. There were three individual gift basket raffles, then one final larger one sponsored by Bozeman Oil & Vinegar. “The owner’s actually from Maui as well, and one of our friends works there so that’s how I found out about that,” Ruidas said.

While the lūʻau was hard work, PISA members agreed it wouldn’t be the last of its kind. “I think we’re gonna try and do another lūʻau at the beginning of the year just so we can avoid finals week and everyone else’s events, and we know for sure the weather’s gonna be really nice,” Ruidas said. The organization also plans on hosting more small events like “musubi nights” and “Hawai’ian crafting” in the future.

“Our main goal is to bring a little taste of Hawai’i to Bozeman,” she said. “We just want to share the love with everybody.”