A line of women dancers wearing maile-style leis at Pacific University's annual Lu'au in 1976. They appear to be playing the role of the "Royal Court," which had been a traditional portion of the Lu'au performances since the 1960s. Typically, the student portraying the "Queen" wore a long white dress, while the "Princesses," who represented the islands of Hawai'i, each wore a different color of dress.
Students and family members from Hawaii tending the pit for the kalua pig roast at the 1976 Lu'au at Pacific University. Other community members watch in the background.
Students and family members from Hawaii roasting a pig for the 1976 Lu'au at Pacific University. Leaves for the roast are visible in the foreground. Other community members watch in the background.
A roasted kalua pig sits steaming on the ground next to the roasting pit at the 1976 Pacific University Lu'au. Students and family members from Hawaii are tending the pit, while community members watch from the background.
Students and family members from Hawaii roasting a pig for the 1976 Lu'au at Pacific University, while a crowd of observers looks on. The pig, apparently done roasting, is lying on leaves in the center of the image. The university's tennis courts are visible in the background.
Three women performers at Pacific University's annual Lu'au in 1976. They are wearing grass skirts with tasseled belts and holding i'i (hand tassels). They were likely meant to represent Tahitian dancers. The backdrop depicts a volcanic eruption.
Women dancers wearing maile style leis performing a hula dance at Pacific University's annual Lu'au in 1976. The stage backdrop depicts a volcanic eruption.
Three women dancers wearing leis and colorful dresses, performing at Pacific University's annual Lu'au in 1976. Live flower decorations are visible in the foreground.
A group of male student performers wearing jeans and overalls at Pacific University's annual Lu'au in 1976. The Lu'au's musicians are visible on the left. The stage backdrop depicts a volcanic eruption.
The entrance of the "Royal Court" through the audience, at Pacific University's annual Lu'au in 1976. The Lu'au featured a "King" and "Queen," who would preside over the festivities. They were announced by the student in the background who is blowing the conch. Red and yellow staffs meant to represent "kāhili," the traditional feathered symbols of Hawaiian royalty, are also visible.
A set of women dancers wearing satin dresses, performing at Pacific University's annual Lu'au in 1976. These may have been "Princesses" in the Lu'au's "Court". In many years, the Lu'au featured performances of women dancers each wearing a different colored dress, who would each represent one of the Hawaiian islands. They would perform solo dances for a "King" and "Queen," who would watch from nearby. Red and yellow staffs meant to represent "kāhili," the traditional feathered symbols of Hawaiian royalty, are visible in the foreground.
Dancers at Pacific University's annual Lu'au in 1976, pictured under red stage lighting. For a view of the same dancers under normal lighting, see: PUA_LuauSlides_119.
Three sets of couples performing at Pacific University's annual Lu'au in 1976. Each man wears a straw hat, shorts and an aloha shirt, while the women wear colorful dresses.
An older man standing at the speaker's podium at Pacific University's annual Lu'au in 1976. Based on other images from the same event, he had just been given the lei that he is wearing. He may have a parent or other relative who helped the students put on the Lu'au; or he might have been a special invited performer.
