ST. DAMIEN OF MOLOKAI Knights of Columbus Council 15733 and St. Norbert Catholic Church in Orange celebrated their annual “Let’s Luau” authentic Hawaii-style feast on Saturday, June 14.
KEOLA ASUEGA ENTERTAINS THE CROWD WITH A FIRE BATON DURING A HAWAIIAN-STYLE FEAST AT ST. NORBERT CHURCH’S FAMILY & YOUTH CENTER RAISING FUNDS TO
SUPPORT ST. NORBERT CHURCH PROJECTS. PHOTOS BY STEVEN GEORGES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
On the menu was roasted Kalua pork, Hawaiian chicken, white rice, Hawaiian macaroni salad and crispy cabbage and a selection of beverages including the island favorite, Mai Tai.
Entertainment was provided by Lokelani’s Rhythm of the Islands, a Polynesian dance group based in Huntington Beach, playing music and performing dance routines, including a special appearance by a Hawaiian fire dancer.
ROY ASUEGA LEADS FALE POLYNESIA PERFORMERS, FROM LEFT, BRANDON MOORE, NICK RIVAS, MAURO QUIBIN, OFALOTO KUMA AND ROY ASUEGA, AS THEY PROVIDE HAWAIIAN MUSIC DURING A FEAST AT THE FAMILY & YOUTH CENTER.
In addition, there were raffles of gift baskets, a television and an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe that was made and donated for the occasion.
Dan Lucas is a Brother Knight who has served as Past Grand Knight, chapter president and currently serves as the advocate for Council 15733. He is the event coordinator for “Let’s Luau” and led a team of volunteers for the Knights of Columbus Council, plus folks from the Cursillo group and even seventh-grade students and parents who helped served the meals and cleaned up afterwards.
ROBERT RODRIGUEZ WORKS THE GRILL AT AN AUTHENTIC HAWAIIAN-STYLE FEAST WHERE ROASTED KALUA PORK AND HAWAIIAN CHICKEN WERE SERVED.
“Back in 2018, we were searching for ideas to get people involved,” said Lucas, “and, at the same time, raise money for the parish and school.”
Lucas was born in Hilo, on the Big Island of Hawaii and lived there until he went to college at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo. He remembers how he and classmates used to hold luaus to celebrate birthdays and other events and also just for fun.
“Unfortunately, it costs a lot of money to experience a real Luau, so this is a way for everybody to share and have fun for a fraction of the cost,” he shared.
ETHAN ADEVA, LEFT, AND AIDEN DAUGLASH, BOTH 13-YEAR-OLD STUDENTS FROM ST. NORBERT CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN ORANGE, SERVE DINNER TO THE GUEST DURING A HAWAIIAN-STYLE FEAST.
Fr. John Moneypenny, pastor of St. Norbert Catholic Church, was delighted with the success of this year’s feast.
“Ohana is the key,” Fr. Moneypenny said. (Ohana is the Hawaiian word meaning family).
“This is the reason we celebrate our annual Luau at St. Norbert.”
He added: “The collaboration of local families and businesses brings people from the entire community together to enjoy an evening of music, food, dancing and togetherness.”
According to Lucas, there were over 340 people in attendance for this year’s “Let’s Luau.”
All the proceeds from the event benefitted St. Norbert parish projects, St. Norbert Parish School’s youth programs, Christian Services and assistance to those with intellectually disabilities.
“We even help to partially subsidize a trip for the incoming eighth graders to go to Washington, D.C., every year.,” Lucas added. “It’s all for a great cause, and all the volunteers are even rewarded for their hard work and dedication with an authentic Hawaiian meal.”
Incidentally, the local council is named after Fr. Damien De Veuster, a Belgian priest who ministered for 16 years to a leper colony in Molokai, Hawaii, from 1873 until his death in 1889.
For more information on St. Norbert Catholic Church and St. Damien of Molokai Knights of Columbus Council 15733, go to: https://stnorbertchurch.org/knights-of-columbus