Return to the Damien Luau

By Sara Alejo

Punahou and Iolani have their carnivals, and Damien has its Luau. It’s been a schoolwide tradition for decades, yet most students enrolled at Damien today haven’t been able to attend it. Those who remember the last one, back in 2019, recall that it’s an excellent opportunity to help represent the school. In the past, it featured entertainment, food, game booths, and talented students like Gabriel Somera when he was in the seventh grade. So, with the Luau returning next spring, it’s time for a refresher. Gabe and Mr. Higa look back to how they remember the Damien Luaus of the past.

Gabe is now a junior in high school, yet he’s only been able to attend the Luau once or twice, back when he was in middle school. He remembers being under the tent on the field, contributing to the entertainment by singing and performing for the crowd, which has sometimes surpassed a thousand in attendance. Gabe believes that the field is the best area for the Luau because “given that [it’s] the biggest area,” it only makes sense. He enjoyed “[j]ust seeing everyone gather together as one close-knitted family. [He] think[s] that’s pretty cool to see.” He hopes that at the next Luau, he can hang out with his friends as he has in the past and maybe see the bounce house return to the gym for the event.

Mr. Higa has had to attend so many as a teacher to help maintain the event that he can’t remember how many he’s been to. He’s participated in roles ranging from a food server to a bathroom waiter. When you’re working jobs like those, it’s important to keep comfortable. That’s why he feels the field isn’t the best location for the Luau because it’s too hot, especially in the later spring months. Despite this, he thinks that there are times when it seems to shine. He remembers how the student band participated at the last one he attended. “It was cool because Santa Cruz had the band on the hill and the tents on the field.” He appreciates that the most--when the students are involved. He hopes that this year, students can perform and participate as they have in the past or even more so. Booths run by classes or students singing for the crowd are best to him because they focus on the students and display their skills. A memorable experience with the Luau was back around his second year at Damien, when he had gone with his would-be-wife. “[They] were still dating, so it was still kinda fresh or new. It was at the exhibition hall,” so it brought in more people. It’s something he looks back on fondly, like he does with most of the Damien Luaus. “[He] like[s] them because it’s one of those events that brings the school community together.”

It’s essential to look back at the Luaus of the past as the next Damien Luau comes up, scheduled for the spring of 2023.  It’ll be the first one since 2019, and the first experience for many students.  Tented seating, buffets, an auction, student-run-booths and games, and live entertainment are all expected to return this year and to help students and faculty create even more memories as a community. So look forward to the next Luau, coming next year on ​​April 23, 2023.