“[Living in Hawai’i] was definitely beneficial in creating who I am today,” said Daeja Vinoray, junior pre-pharmacy and Hawai’i Club Cultural chair. “Growing up in Hawai’i, you definitely see a lot of different cultures and a lot of different types of people.”

The Hawai’ian islands are known worldwide for their rich and captivating culture, and this weekend, WSU’s Hawai’i club is hosting their 37th annual family weekend Ho’ike.

This would be the club’s first year back since 2019, and the theme of the event is Ho’ike, said Lee-Joseph Franco, junior Hospitality Business Management and Hawai’i Club vice president.

“One of the things we wanted to do with this resurgence of coming back in after the break is display more authentic aspects of Hawaiian culture and perpetuate more images that look and feel like the Hawai’i we, as members, grew up in,” Franco said.

Doors will open at 2:30 p.m., and the event will take place from 3 to 6:30 p.m., April 3 in the Compton Union Building’s senior ballroom.

“My parents are flying in [from] Hawai’i, … this is their first family weekend up here,” Vinoray said. “I’m just excited for a night of being with friends and family, … being there with all my peers showcasing our culture and the place that we love.”

The itinerary for the night includes Hula dances from the Hawai’i Club, educational insight about the different islands and a variety of food cooked by the club itself.

The main menu includes Shoyu chicken, kalua pork and tofu stir fry, with mac salad, green salad and white rice as the sides. Last but certainly not least, the desserts for the night are Pani popo and Haupia.

“Cooking [the food ourselves] kind of allowed us to showcase more of the local food,” Franco said.

Alongside the flavor-filled dinner, the Hula performances each represent a different Hawai’ian island.

“We are [also] giving the seniors their own spotlight dance, a song that is for them,” Franco said. “A moment for them to kind of take in their last Ho’ike and event as a club.”

Tickets for the event cost $15 for club members, $18 for undergraduates and $20 for general. Tickets can be bought up until the day of the event or at the door for a flat price of $20.

“What I’m most looking forward to is just a night of seeing everyone back in person,” Franco said. “Now that the mask mandate has been lifted, we can dance without masks and get back to a place of normalcy.”

The event is semi-casual dress, and the greater Pullman community is welcome to join and celebrate Hawai’ian culture, Franco said.

“We just wanted to get as [many] people out there to come enjoy the night with us,” Vinoray said. “It is what I think the main point of this event is, just sharing our culture.”