Students
Hawaiian Islanders Club (HIC)
Contact
E-mail: hic@poets.whittier.edu
Tel: 808.277.8144
About Us
The Hawaiian Islanders Club at Whittier College (HIC) supports students interested in Hawaiian culture and traditions. As an organization, the Hawaiian Islanders Club strives to develop and maintain a healthy, diverse community while seeking high moral standards and unity through numerous social events and educational outreach about Hawai’i’s diverse culture and language.
We are 25 members strong and will continue to grow in years to come. But, don't let our small size fool you, we actually have a tremendous influence here on the Whittier College campus and pride ourselves on spreading the "aloha spirit."
Officers
President: Gabriel Keli’ikaino’eau Papa
Vice President: Melanie Abe
Treasurer: Abraham Solorzano
Secretary: Allyson Yuen
Event Coordinator: Wiliama Sanchez
Publicity: Nhani Tran
A Home Away From Home
For more than a decade, the Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts at Whittier College has hosted many of Hawai'i's most popular musical entertainers. In March 2008, the Shannon Center received its first Hawai'i Music Award for work done to promote Hawaiian culture and music. The unique showcase of arts and culture help students from Hawai'i stay connected and involved while receiving a quality liberal arts education. In addition, the Hawaiian Islanders Club has formed a unique partnership with the Shannon Center, helping to increase awareness of challenges facing Pacific Islanders and to introduce members of our organization to members of the community who are willing to assist in our endeavors.
Starting next year we will be introducing a Harris themed housing entitled “Da ‘Ohana Hut.” The reason we created this community is for Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian students alike to have somewhere to feel more like home. We are a community whose main purpose is to promote insight and appreciation of the Hawaiian culture to both our community members and our Whittier College community.
Events
Being far away from home, we really begin to depend on one another. To make this transition smooth and enjoyable, members of the Hawaiian Islanders Club participate in numerous social events to acclimate to the new environment. Trips to downtown Los Angeles, days at the movies, visits to theme parks, and eating local foods are just some of the things we do to get to know each other better.
Aside from having fun, giving back is a new mission in progress. We recognize the importance of our surrounding community and realize the tremendous positive impact we can have just by dedicating ourselves to a cause or purpose for a number of hours each month.
Each year, we aim to improve and strengthen the Hawaiian cultural knowledge of the general community by way of our annual lü'au. It is our hope to share with others the same aloha spirit and various meaningful art forms that are prevalent back home. This event allows us the unique opportunity to reach out to the kama'äina and malihini alike, letting them know that Hawai'i's culture and arts are alive and well on the continent.
This year's lü'au will be held on the Whittier College campus on Saturday, May 8, 2010 from 12 pm to 4 pm
Our theme, Hapa Haole Days, is done parallel to our club's mission and helps spread the true spirit of aloha. Food, sale of products from Hawai'i and a raffle will complete this event.
Being that we are miles away from home, bringing products from Hawai‘i does present a challenge. Shipping and handling fees are costly and the acquisitions of any good for that matter is expensive. We are in need of tropical floral decorations and printing resources
We ask for your kõkua, your help, in making this event a success. Any contribution whether it be monetary, product-based or physical man/woman power is greatly appreciated. In acknowledging your generosity, your name or company name will be printed in our program as well as tastefully displayed on the day of the event. In addition you may be eligible for tax deductions.
