About Nā Haumāna O Hawai‘i
Perhaps the most unique part of the Hawai‘i Club is the support amongst its members. Students who are a part of Nā Haumāna O Hawai‘i become part of a family, or "'Ohana", and are quickly woven into an intricate pattern that makes their college experience one to be remembered. From the very beginning, Nā Haumāna O Hawai‘i provides its members with networks of support and numerous opportunities to get involved at Pacific University.
Our peer mentor success program is one example of support the upperclassmen provide for new students. Through this program, new students are paired up with upperclassmen who come from their school or hometown. This allows them to better adjust to their new surroundings with the help of their peers. Students not only support each other academically, but also spiritually and socially. Together, these students are able to face difficult times with each other's support. Hawai‘i Club also participates in intramural sports throughout the year. We have had teams for IM volleyball, soccer, flag football, softball and basketball. The students enjoy the competitive spirit that comes along with playing sports, but more importantly, they have fun and meet new people.
Members of Nā Haumāna O Hawai‘i have many opportunities to get involved and develop their skills by taking on leadership positions. Any member is welcome to run for a position on the club's executive board. This allows members to help with the planning of the club's activities. Also, each year, two freshmen are elected as representatives to serve on the board. They help integrate the communication lines between the upperclassmen and the new students. Members also serve on one or more lū‘au and Hō‘ike committees. The skills developed through these leadership roles introduce many opportunities for students to get involved in different organizations on campus (i.e. residence life, student government, other clubs and organizations).
The most obvious benefit to members of the club are the activities provided. At the beginning of the year, we have a "Welcome Back" picnic, so members can socialize and meet each other. About a week before Thanksgiving, the club goes on shopping trips to buy clothes and necessities for winter. During the break, the students who stay on campus participate in a number of activities, including getting together for a potluck dinner, going shopping, playing football, and going skiing. The last activity for the Fall semester is the annual Christmas Banquet, a nice dinner on campus where members can come together for one last time before going home for the holidays.
During the Spring Semester, our main activity is our annual lū‘au and Hō‘ike. Meetings start late in the Fall, with practices usually starting in the beginning of February. Traditionally, our lū‘au and Hō‘ike has been the second Saturday in April. We usually perform a few shows out in the community beforehand. This gives members a small idea of what the actual performances will be like. But nothing compares with the event itself. Pacific University 's lū‘au is a culmination of many hours of hard work and many hearts coming together to share a unique aspect of our island heritage. Pacific University 's Nā Haumāna O Hawai‘i boasts the only completely student-run and student-directed lū‘au and Hō‘ike in the Northwest, attracting about 2,000 people every year.
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