To some people, cultural nights are best known as Those Times Sodexo Goes All Out. So, when our Polynesian Club, Associated Students, and Intercultural Center got together to host the 10th Annual Lu’au, I was ready to be fed like I was family.

The definite standout on this year’s Lu’au menu was the whole roasted pig.

lu'au

Photo by Alexa Gambero

*cries*

lu'au

Photo by Aubrey Williams

Besides the beautiful pork, there was a sweet and sour pineapple tofu dish, fruit salad, chicken long rice, Lomi salmon, steamed rice, green salad, and sesame cabbage salad – definitely an upgrade from the scrambled eggs I would have eaten for dinner.

lu'au

Photo by Alexa Gambero

Oh, and there was Hawaiian pineapple cake for dessert.

lu'au

Photo by Alexa Gambero

While I enjoyed my mountain of delicious foods, I got to witness a bunch of dances, poems, and spoken word pieces by my peers.

The theme this year was He ‘Ohana Kakou, which translates to “We are family.” Even as I sat in the audience with my family hundreds of miles away, I felt like I was at a real life family gatheringFood brings people together, and being able to be a part of such an intimate event with my Saint Mary’s family was so special. My heart and my taste buds were happy. I can’t wait for next year.