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It was all gyrating hips, food and live music at the Hawaii Club and University of Denver Programs Board’s second annual luau last Saturday in Johnson-MacFarlane cafeteria.

Members of the Hawaii Club prepared traditional luau food and Kava for 200 members of the DU and Denver communities. The theme of this year’s luau was the Polynesian voyage and settlement of Hawaii.

Keenan Kanaeholo, public relations for the club, said he was excited that the event was sold out for the second year in a row and that the cafeteria was filled to capacity.

“We held the event because we wanted to share our culture with the rest of the DU community and to help promote diversity,” Kanaeholo said.

The band Kanikapila performed live Hawaiian music as participants made leis with purple flowers flown in from Hawaii and dined on purple sweet potatoes steamed in leaves and shredded pork, among other traditional foods.

After the food was served, Kanaeholo joined the president of the club, Ashley Saculla on stage for the Ipo Lei Momi dance. Saculla drew laughs from the crowd while she interchangeably rubbed Kanaeholo’s shoulders and slapped the back of his head during the dance.

Crystal Trow also shook her hips in solo dances from Tahiti. Hui O Hawaii, a group of dancers from Colorado State University, performed numerous dances, including the Hoki Hoki from New Zealand.

Throughout the program, members of the club asked Hawaiian trivia questions, giving bags of Hawaiian themed gifts. Questions such as name the currency of Hawaii and name the state fish drew participants into the event.

Stephanie Nawyn, who won a Hawaiian sarong, said, “The luau was a lot of fun and I especially enjoyed making a lei and watching the dancers. I’ll be back next year. Definitely.”

Emily Petro said she really liked the tropical motif of the luau.

Sporting her newly won orange sarong, Syreeta Spears offered her own praise.

“I thought the luau was great. I got to experience all the different foods and cultures of it that I never would have other-

wise experienced. Those Hawaiian kids know how to throw a luau.”

Charmaine Robledo, DUPB diversity and cultural co-director, who co-sponsored the event, said the luau had been a “huge endeavor” and that she was glad to see it so successful.

She said that she hoped the club could increase participation next year.

Members of the club said goodbye and thank you to participants by performing the Hawaiian Ulupalakua dance onstage at the close of the evening.