Say Aloha to Hui O Nani Hawai’i Club

This story is part of a series spotlighting Seattle University student clubs. In this installment we go inside Hui O Nani Hawai’i, one of more than 100 student-run clubs on campus.

At Seattle University, around 54 percent of the student population comes from out of state, 50 percent of students are from ethnically diverse backgrounds and 28 percent are international students, both undergraduate and graduate. With a large community of cultures coming together, it’s no wonder that Seattle University has more than 20 cultural clubs including Hui O Nani Hawai’i, a group that provides students the opportunity to gather and preserve and perpetuate Hawai’i’s rich and storied culture.

“Being in a foreign environment more than 2,000 miles away from the small islands we call home, on top of transitioning to an independent life away from family, it is comforting to know that we have people we can lean on in times of need,” says Club President Chloe Fong, ’23. “Having such a large student population coming from Hawai’i, I feel as if the club brings a sense of belonging, pride and unity. Although our islands at home are small, Hui provides the opportunity for everyone to meet new people, come together and enjoy the company of others who hopefully make connections that will extend long beyond their time here.”

One of the things Hui does to stand out is its annual Lūʻau, which takes place in Spring Quarter, and is a highly anticipated event that students look forward to every year. The club is proud to host this cultural event that encompasses and honors Hawai’i culture. Following a break in the event due to the COVID pandemic, the event will return to in-person this year and are looking for great participation across campus.

“While majority of our club comes from Hawai’i, we also have members from Washington, Oregon, California, Guam, Japan and more,” says Fong. “We hope to expand our culture and share the aloha with those who may want to learn more about the culture and how to respectfully honor it. We hope that everyone feels included to join our Ohana (family).”

Interested in being a part of the Ohana? Check out the club on ConnectSU for more information on involvement and announcements, including about this year’s Lūʻau.