The Hawaiʻi club at the University of Nevada, Reno was built on the motto of “a home away from home for all.” The members of this club are dedicated to sharing culture and celebrating traditions. 

Whether you're from Hawaiʻi, have islander roots, or simply have an interest in islander culture, Hawaiʻi club welcomes you to attend their events.  

“In Hawaiʻi, there's so many different cultures and it's just so diverse, everybody's welcome. We bring that feeling here,” said Hawaiʻi club President Amber O’Neal. 

The club is made of an elected president and vice president, treasurer, historian, secretary and 30 club members. Throughout the year Hawaiʻi club hosts several events around Reno and on campus, giving club members opportunities to sit on committees and join the halau (dance group).   

“One of my favorite events we had was to watch Moana 2 when it came out,” O’Neal said. “Our advisor got us a private theater, so we were able to watch it for free and we had the whole theater to ourselves. It was very on brand for our club, you know, and just being able to have everyone go out and do something outside of campus.”  

Throughout Asian Pacific Islander heritage (API) month, traditionally held in May but celebrated on campus in April and May, Hawaiʻi club hosts multiple events. The largest event hosted by Hawaiʻi club this year was The Biggest Little Pā’ina.  

“Pāʻina is just another word for party, or dinner,” said vice president and kumu hula (dance teacher) Leilani Carr. “Essentially, it's just a social gathering of people coming together to celebrate being with one another, celebrate culture, family, relationships and we all get to eat really good food. We sing dance and tell stories because that's essentially what's at the core of the Polynesian identity.” 

The annual Biggest Little Pāʻina doubled attendance in comparison to last year, bringing in more than 200 people from across the University and Northern Nevada community.  

“It was huge,” O’Neal said. “We had to start turning people away. It was such a rewarding event.” 

The event included catered food from Lili’s restaurant and featured live music, performances and games.  

The dancing portion of the club took off after Carr hosted an introductory to Hawaiʻi-styled dancing class.  

“I wanted the event to not just showcase hula, despite our club being a Hawaiian club, but to also expand that boundary to Polynesia and to all of the Pasifika identity as a whole,” Carr said. “Our history and customs are shared orally, so we don't really write too many things down. There aren't a lot of solid records it’s through dance and events, where our elders can share the knowledge that they have from before, and pass it down to the next generation.”  

As the Hawaiʻi club continues to celebrate API month, the club will be celebrating May graduates with a lei ceremony. All students and staff are welcomed to learn how to make tī leaf lei. In Hawaiʻi, the family and friends of the graduate stack lei on the graduate until they get so many they can’t see.  This tradition allows the families to express their love  and acknowledge the graduate’s achievements.   

“The lei are made from a tī leaf plant,” O’Neal said. “The traditional way to make a tī leaf lei is by wrapping it around your big toe and then twisting the leaves together. But the way that I like to do it for that event, is I like to have everyone partner up and hold the ends for each other. It’s a fun bonding activity that brings people together. You can give the lei to your loved ones or you can put it in doorways or on your windowsill. The tī leaf lei symbolizes good luck, protection and respect.”  

As the semester comes to an end, all students are still encouraged to attend Hawaiʻi club events and meetings.  

“We're here if you're interested, or you like Hawaiʻi,” O’Neal said. “Come join our club, or come to an event and just see our community. Everybody is welcome, if you're willing to learn have fun and spread the aloha spirit.”