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The Dartmouth
August 7, 2025 | Latest Issue
The Dartmouth

Where Is the Aloha Spirit?

Being 'off' this term, and spending a few weeks here at home in Hawaii, I heard of the unfortunate events surrounding the planning of a 'Hawaiian party' through the grapevine. I am saddened that the organizers had to undergo such harsh accusations.

I am kamaaina -- a Hawaii resident. No, I am not native Hawaiian, but I am still every bit a part of Hawaii's modern day culture. I was born and grew up on the windward side of O'ahu. It is where I belong, it is what I know, it is who I am. Hawaii is a very unique and special place. It is a complex and enormously diverse fusion of cultures ranging from Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, to Asian, to Haole (white), to Portuguese, and many more. For any one ethic group to claim the culture of the modern day State of Hawaii is impossible. I wish no disrespect to Native Hawaiians, or any other group for that matter; however, I believe that many things deemed "Hawaiian" by popular culture are reflective of the culture of the State of Hawaii, and not uniquely the culture of its indigenous people. Perhaps the organizers would have been wiser to call the party: "A Hawaii (the state) Party," thus shying away from any possible references to any one ethnic group.

Yes, the history of the State of Hawaii has many sad and unfortunate events, as does every state in our nation. We cannot, however, simply stop making references to Hawaii as a state because of the hurt the memory of its history may cause. I do not know how this hurt can be resolved, if at all. Plus, with the passing of time and the growing complexity of Hawaii's population, an answer seems more and more elusive.

On the issue of luaus I have been to many luaus (hosted by people of nearly every ethnic group in Hawaii): luaus for New Year's, luaus for birthdays, luaus for baby showers and wedding receptions, luaus for graduations, luaus for the-sake-of-having-a-luau, etc. ... A luau to me means a large social gathering of family and friends with food served buffet style and 'aloha attire' usually worn. (Of course wearing 'aloha attire' in Hawaii isn't all that unusual.) Although I have never experienced a "traditional luau," I do not deny their existence or the implications they may have. I merely support that the organizers of the "Hawaiian party" were most definitely looking to achieve the cruise-in-the-backyard-with-your-friends type of luau that I have described, or even the cheesy-tourist luau that the Hawaii Board of Tourism has marketed for MANY years without gross protest.

In closing I would like to say that I am sorry that the organizers of this "Hawaiian party" had to go through all this. But, most importantly, I am very sorry that the party got canceled and that we will most likely never again see a party with a Hawaiian theme. I know that if I were on campus (most likely homesick for the sun, sand, and surf), I would be one of the first in the door to such a party. I'd be taking my pareos off the wall and putting them to use; I'd be dressing my friends in my spare Aloha Shirts, and even though it would all probably be tacky and unrealistic, I'd be having the time of my life because at least I'd get to share a tiny (no matter how tiny) bit of the Aloha Spirit I love and miss so much when I'm away.

I am not trying to disprove or invalidate anyone's response to the party. I am simply stating my OWN response as a kamaaina.