Pacific University alumni sitting with students at a table during a Luau held outdoors on May 25, 1957. Paper cups and plates sit on the table, which is decorated with a pineapple. This lu'au was held on the Saturday afternoon preceding Pacific's 1957 Commencement ceremony, on the lawn by McCormick Hall. Old College Hall, which at this time was located where Washburne Hall would later be built, is visible in the background.
A note on the back of the photograph identifies some of those who appear in the photograph as: Elise Lundberg; Charles E. Bradley; Mrs. Cora Lee Burke; Miss Margaret Hinman (Class of 1891); and Miss Ann Broadhurst. A stamp notes, "Photo by Grove Studio & Camera Shop, Forest Grove, Oregon." Based on other similar photographs from the same event (see PUApic_008557 and PUApic_008559), the photographer may actually have been Herb Drew; he could have had it printed at the Grove Studio.
An article published in the campus newspaper, "Pacific celebrates initiation of Luau" (The Index, May 27, 1957, p. 1), described the event: "Saturday noon saw the initiation of Pacific University's first Luau, a Hawaiian dinner held in honor of the Rev. Roy Beecher Damron who was slated to receive an honorary degree from Pacific this year. The dinner, held at the proposed site of the new girls' dorm [i.e. Walter Hall], was given for the general purpose of honoring Hawaiian students, and the senior class. From 12 to 1 p.m., the group ate cracked crab and were entertained by Pacific students. Drs. Frank Chipps and Lowell Ellis were chairmen of the event, with Dr. Meredith McVickers handling the decorations."
This 1957 outdoor Lu'au predated the later Lu'au tradition established by Pacific University's Haumana O Hawai'i (Hawaii Student) club in 1961. Unlike the Hawaii Club Lu'aus, this 1957 event was not hosted by Hawaiian students, and was apparently much less authentic. One of the founders of Haumana O Hawai'i, Professor Fred Scheller, recalled, "“We really didn’t think their lu‘au was very good and we [complained]." Their complaints led to a challenge for the club to put on a lu'au instead, which they first did in 1961. (See: "The Aloha Connection," Pacific Magazine, Spring 2010, p. 12.)
Pacific University students, alumni and faculty getting food from a buffet line during a Luau held outdoors on May 25, 1957. Several attendees wear leis. The food is laid out on trays sitting directly on the ground, with pineapples used as decorations. This lu'au was held on the Saturday afternoon preceding Pacific's 1957 Commencement ceremony, on the lawn by McCormick Hall. The photograph was taken by Herb Drew (Class of 1960). For two other images of the same event, see: PUApic_008558 and PUApic_008559.
An article published in the campus newspaper, "Pacific celebrates initiation of Luau" (The Index, May 27, 1957, p. 1), described the event: "Saturday noon saw the initiation of Pacific University's first Luau, a Hawaiian dinner held in honor of the Rev. Roy Beecher Damron who was slated to receive an honorary degree from Pacific this year. The dinner, held at the proposed site of the new girls' dorm [i.e. Walter Hall], was given for the general purpose of honoring Hawaiian students, and the senior class. From 12 to 1 p.m., the group ate cracked crab and were entertained by Pacific students. Drs. Frank Chipps and Lowell Ellis were chairmen of the event, with Dr. Meredith McVickers handling the decorations."
This 1957 outdoor Lu'au predated the later Lu'au tradition established by Pacific University's Haumana O Hawai'i (Hawaii Student) club in 1961. Unlike the Hawaii Club Lu'aus, this 1957 event was not hosted by Hawaiian students, and was apparently much less authentic. One of the founders of Haumana O Hawai'i, Professor Fred Scheller, recalled, "“We really didn’t think their lu‘au was very good and we [complained]." Their complaints led to a challenge for the club to put on a lu'au instead, which they first did in 1961. (See: "The Aloha Connection," Pacific Magazine, Spring 2010, p. 12.)
Attendees of Pacific University's annual Lu'au in 1976, observing the outdoor kalua pig roast. Students tending the roasting pit are visible in the foreground. The older couple in the background might be former University President Miller Ritchie and his wife, Josephine; he had left Pacific in 1970, but returned to Oregon in 1975 and remained active in college affairs during his retirement.
Joey Takahashi, a member of Haumana O Hawai'i (Hawaiian Club) of Pacific University, wearing a lei made of small white flowers while writing. This photograph was likely taken circa 1970, at either one of the university's annual Lu'au celebrations, or at another performance organized by Haumana O Hawai'i.
A Pacific University student wearing a red lei, while two other students stand out-of-focus in the foreground. This photograph was likely taken during one of Pacific's annual Lu'au celebrations circa 1970. For a related image, see PUA_LuauSlides_293.
Josephine Ritchie, the wife of Pacific University President Miller Ritchie, at one of Pacific University's annual Lu'aus between 1967-1969. The original slide was printed in March 1970, but because the Lu'au always occurred in April, the likely dates from an earlier year: most likely 1967. Miller Ritchie was President of Pacific University from 1959-1970.
The actor Karl Malden and several other guests at the annual Lu'au at Pacific University. They are standing by the north windows of Washburne Hall, with Clark Hall in the background. Malden served as a visiting professor at Pacific University in 1966-67. Note: The original slide is stamped with the processing date "Mar 1970," but because Lu'au always occurred in April, this was likely a reprint of an earlier negative from April 1967. For another image taken on the same date, see PUA_LuauSlides_611.
Two students performing as the "King and Queen" of Pacific University's annual Luau circa 1970-1972. Based on other images, the woman may be Millie Ah Ching. They are portraying members of the Luau's "Royal Court," in which several students representing the King (wearing a yellow cape) and Queen (wearing white) of Hawaii witnessed dances performed by Princesses (each wearing a different colored dress), who represented the various islands of Hawaii.
A slide image of a papaya blossom dated 1962. This slide was found with other images associated with Pacific University's annual Lu'au. It may have been taken at the Lu'au, or it may have been projected onto a screen during the performances.
Students performing a Chinese dragon dance at Pacific University's 1963 Lu'au, which was held in the gym of Forest Grove High School. This was one of the earliest Lu'aus hosted by Pacific University.
A Pacific University student performing as a warrior at Pacific University's annual Lu'au in 1964. This event, one of the earliest of Pacific's annual Luaus, took place in the Forest Grove High School gym.
A dark image of a vendor's table at Pacific University's annual Lu'au in 1964. A handwritten caption on the original slide describes the scene as "Concessions offering Hawaiian wares." Another note identifies people in the image as Anna and Marcia.
A Pacific University student performs a dance at the university's annual Lu'au in 1964. A handwritten caption on the original slide describes the scene as "Royal Court watches hula performed." The "Royal Court" was a portion of the Lu'au in which students representing the King (wearing a yellow cape) and Queen (wearing white) of Hawaii witnessed dances performed by Princesses who represented the various islands of Hawaii. Those identified in this image include King Dayton Arruda (Class of 1967) and Queen Shirley Ann Kapuniai. This event, one of the earliest of Pacific's annual Luaus, took place in the Forest Grove High School gym.
A dancer at Pacific University's annual Lu'au in 1964, with several other performers standing in the background. The image appears to show a part of the annual event called the "Royal Court," in which several students representing the King (wearing a yellow cape) and Queen (wearing white) of Hawaii witnessed dances performed by Princesses (each wearing a different colored dress), who representing the various islands of Hawaii. A note on the original slide identifies the participants as: Dayton Arruda (the King, Class of 1967); Shirley Ann Kapuniai (the Queen); Karen Sato; Lynette; and [Lorrie?]. This event, one of the earliest of Pacific's annual Luaus, took place in the Forest Grove High School gym.
A procession of performers through the audience at Pacific University's annual Lu'au in 1964. A handwritten note on the original slide reads: "Audience watching program begin." The performers appear to be members of the "Royal Court," a group of performers who presided over the event. The woman wearing white in the center of the image may be Shirley Ann Kapuniai, who was the Queen that year. This event, one of the earliest of Pacific's annual Luaus, took place in the Forest Grove High School gym. The original slide was very dark and was digitally enhanced in order to be visible.
Pacific University students performing as the "Royal Court" at the university's annual Lu'au in 1964. The Queen, wearing white, was Shirley Ann Kapuniai; the King, wearing a yellow cape, was Dayton Arruda (Class of 1967). Attendants on either side represent guards and "princesses." This event, one of the earliest of Pacific's annual Luaus, took place in the Forest Grove High School gym. The original slide was very dark and was digitally enhanced in order to be visible.
The "Royal Court" on stage at Pacific University's annual Lu'au in 1966. The event, which was hosted by the Haumana O Hawai'i club, featured the election of a "King" and "Queen" with attendants. The stage backdrop depicts Diamond Head as seen from Waikiki Beach on Oahu. The King was Dayton Arruda (Class of 1967). He wears a red and yellow cape, meant to represent the ʻahu ʻula, or traditional feathered cloak of Hawaiian royalty. The Queen, wearing a white dress, was Shirley Kapuniai. Two male students stand behind them, carrying red and yellow standards, which were meant to represent kāhili, the traditional feathered symbols of Hawaiian royalty. Female students standing on either side of them were "princesses representing the eight major islands in the Hawaiian chain, come to honor the King and Queen." (The Index, Apr. 11, 1966, p. 1)
An attendee of Pacific University's annual Lu'au in 1966 purchasing anthurium flowers. Leis, which were likely also for sale, are visible in the background. The Haumana O Hawai'i Club, which hosted the event, organized air shipments of fresh flowers, fruit, and other goods from Hawaii to sell at vendor tables during the event.
Pacific University students in formal clothes for a dance in 1966. They appear to be standing in Washburne Hall. Notably, the photograph includes students of multiple races standing together, including African American, Asian and white students.
Four female Pacific University students performing a dance with ipu gourds at the university's annual Lu'au in 1967. The event's "Royal Court" sits behind them on the stage. Note: the original slide is stamped with a printing date of October 1968, but the image appears to have been made in April 1967.
Dancers perform for the "Royal Court" on stage at Pacific University's annual Lu'au in 1967. The event, which was hosted by the Haumana O Hawai'i club, featured the presentation of a "King" and "Queen" with attendants. In this image, six female dancers wearing green perform at the front of the stage. In the background: the backdrop depicts Diamond Head as seen from Waikiki Beach on Oahu. The King, wears a red and yellow cape, was Don Aina (Class of 1973). The Queen, wearing a white dress, was Sheila Manus (Class of 1967). Two male students stand behind them, carrying red and yellow standards, which were meant to represent kāhili, the traditional feathered symbols of Hawaiian royalty. Female students sitting on either side of them were "princesses representing the eight major islands in the Hawaiian chain, come to honor the King and Queen." (The Index, Apr. 11, 1966, p. 1)
Four male Pacific University students performing on stage in Hawaiian-style regalia in October, 1967. A note on the back of the slide identifies this event as having occurred at a "Frosh Dance" on campus. The performance was likely organized by the student club, Haumana O Hawai'i.
