It was with great pleasure that CROCC sponsored a table at the Annual Ke Kukui Foundation (KKF) Fundraising Luau on February 21st. As a Corporate sponsor, the paddlers were greeted in true Hawaiian fashion with hugs and a freshly sewed plumeria lei, as Hawaiian music filled the gymnasium at Thomas Jefferson Middle School.

As part of fundraising, the patrons participated in a door prize raffle basket, and vied for several items in the silent auction. CROCC’s fundraising donation basket sold within 30 minutes of the auction’s opening for $150. Also, our own paddler, Liz Nelson, quilted a large Hawaiian themed piece that sold for $250!!! The sit-down dinner was prepared by Hawaiian Café (Vancouver, WA) and served by the dancers of KKF.

Then the patrons were treated to an hour long hula show that was choreographed by the matriarch of the school, Aunty Deva Yamashiro. The show commenced with a dance dedicated to Aunty Paulette, who had taught the ancient art of feather making, and whom we lost a couple months ago. The dancers in their white “holoku” gowns gently swayed as they danced with their hand held “kahikis”. The show included “kahiko” (traditional) and “auana” (modern) style dancing, and even featured the youngest of the dance troupe, the “keikis”. It is worthy to note that the age range of dancers for Ke Kukui is 3 to 83!!

The show ended with a trip to Tahiti, where “otea drumming” and vibrantly costumed dancers left the watching audience exhausted just by watching. Back by popular demand, the lively and colorful “Samoan Village” number under the tutelage of Aunty Tula, brought the patrons to their feet. To cap the evening, the audience joined hands in a large circle and sang what has been deemed the Hawaiian anthem, “Hawaii Aloha”. The night was truly the blending of the Polynesian culture and “aloha spirit.” The audience was filled with much love, aloha and peace.

We hope you can join us next year.