A spring tradition at Chaminade, the annual International Extravaganza on April 7, 2017, featured student-led performances of dance and song. Seven cultural clubs with 120 participants shared their talents with the campus community. The campus organizations involved were the Filipino Club, Ka Ipu Kukui Me Ka ‘Ie ‘Ie (Hawaiian Club), the Indigo Lotus Club, Lumana’i O Samoa (the Samoan Club), the Marianas Club, the Micronesian Club, and the Temana Tahitian Club.
“This event is an important opportunity for students to showcase their clubs and their culture to the Chaminade and Oahu communities. As one of the most culturally diverse universities in the nation, we host this event to showcase and celebrate the diversity of our students and staff,” said Jay Spenser Darden, the director of the Office of Student Activities and Leadership.
The Office of Student Activities and Leadership sponsored the event, which took place on the Sullivan Family Library lawn. Dressed in elaborate cultural wear, students sang, chanted and danced traditional numbers from the represented geographical locations. Students had to not only the learn the songs and dances, but they also had to learn the stories and the meanings behind their performance numbers. The student-led performances exhilarated the crowd for hours.
There was an opportunity to honor and thank Chaminade president Bro. Bernard Ploeger, SM with applause and love. Bro. Ploeger, who has been a foundational pillar for the university for decades will conclude his service as president on June 30, 2017, after having served the university for 23 years: eight years as its president plus the prior 15 years in other leadership capacities.
The Office of Student Activities and Leadership (OSAL) offers Chaminade students opportunities to participate in co-curricular activities and out-of classroom experiences that promote personal development and leadership training. OSAL has over 30 student clubs, wellness programs, recreation and intramural sports, various campus activities throughout the year, and more.
Thursday evening’s Mocktails and Masterpieces event kindled the fire with bursts of creativity. With artist Jenny B. facilitating, alumni painted canvas masterpieces that they could take home. The alumni mingled and caught up with old friends. The familiar warmth of campus ‘ohana surged feelings of nostalgia and fanned their anticipation for Saturday.
Outside of the Sullivan Family Library, a photo booth captured the memories of friendships and newly made friends. There was a ceramic pot sale setup by Fine Arts professor Yukio Ozaki, and the Campus Store offered Chaminade logo items for sale. Alumni like Teresa Fujino, MBA ’16 guided activities such as “DIY – Salty Scrubs,” where participants made bath scrubs. Kacie Cohen, MSCP ’13 and Darren Iwamoto, MSCP ’98 with Dale Fryxell, grant director of the E Ho‘opili No Na Haumana Project and interim dean of Education, manned the 110-AOK (Acts of Kindness) beading table.
The Reunion Street Festival – Food Truck Rally had many memorable highlights, thanks to the collaboration of the Office of Alumni Relations and Residence Hall Association. Tasty smells from the food trucks permeated the air as people lined up in front of Hawaii’s favorite food trucks on Second Road. Chardonnay Pao, BA ’13, MBA ’15 and Cherie Ann Park, MSCP ’13 served various ono plates from Kapakahi Grindz. The Nalo Made Lemonade booth was a hit. Shawn Niwa Kadooka, BBA ’91 mentioned how happy she was to be a part of the event, and said it required two resupply runs. Also, depending on your appetite, you could also choose dishes from Prime Sandwiches or Chamorro Grindz or something refreshing from Tats Shaved Ice.
“Featuring alum or alum related vendors is the best! It brings a sense of pride to the event knowing that Chaminade is investing and supporting alum businesses. I saw alum, current students, and employees coming to buy our product. The positive vibes were just on a whole other level of awesome,” Pao said. “Good music, ono food, and the use of Chaminade Dollars brought another sense of school spirit to the event.”
During a more structured part of the evening, Aunty Susan Frank Kama, BS ’61 in her melodic voice started a Lei Aloha ‘oli that cued alums to form a line as Chaminade president Bro. Bernard Ploeger, SM was escorted to the lawn. The chant continued as alums showered Bro. Ploeger with lei, warm hugs, and bid him a fond farewell as he concludes his 23 years of service at Chaminade University.
Then Micah G hit the stage and got the students, alumni, faculty, staff, and Marianists to get out of their seats and dance. The lawn in front of the library turned into a huge dance floor.
Mahalo to all, especially the Alumni Reunion Committee Volunteers: Alice Kaahanui BA ’86, Bernard Lum Hoy, BA ’59, Lolita Lum Hoy, BS ’61, Christy Aiwohi, BBA ’87, David Dinh, MBA ’15, Heather Nakao, BS ’12, BA ’15, Jeannie Pinpin, BA ’05, BA ’07, Lois Nakamura, BA ’85, Linda Tavares, BS ’63 Michael “Pika” Ahakuelo, BA ’02, MBA ’11, Scott Kishimori, BBA ’87, Shayne Iwamoto, AA ’12, BS ’13, Susan Frank Kama, BS ’61, Sweetie Pacarro, BA ’89, Terrence Kong, BS ’89, MSCP ’03.
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