Hawaiian Ensemble Meetings

Our annual lūʻau celebrates and appreciates the Hawaiian and Tahitian cultures that USF Undergraduate Students learn about throughout the Fall Semester. Hawaiian ensemble educates and proudly represents these cultures through song and dance taught by USF students.

Who is Hawaiian Ensemble? We are a student-led organization dedicated to promoting and perpetuating Polynesian cultural traditions through dance, specifically hula and 'ori tahiti. Hawaiian Ensemble is a way of spreading awareness of Polynesian dance culture to everyone on campus, Polynesians and non-Polynesians alike, thereby supporting the preservation of the culture and stories that we are so proud to learn from. We serve as a place for performance and sharing of the artistic expressions of any and all Polynesian cultures. We support a welcoming atmosphere where students can share knowledge of Pacific Islander culture by leading with cultural humility. What makes the Hawaiian Ensemble so unique is our ambition and openness to continuously learn about Polynesian culture, while also sharing a passion for dance and creativity. We choreograph our own dances, carrying out the importance and meaning of the Polynesian oral tradition. Our student-led goal is to prioritize cultural accuracy/competency, strive for holistic club education surrounding Oceania cultural traditions, and strengthen our relationships with our sister clubs. This purpose does not contradict the University’s mission or its Catholic, Jesuit character.