Hawaiian Chapman students deal with unique changes when they start at the university, most notably the culture shock of the mainland United States compared to Hawaiian culture.

That is one reason why Pua’ikeana, Chapman’s Hawaiian student organization, is so important to Hawaiian Panthers. Pua’ikeana gives these students an environment that feels like home.

“(Our goal is) to create an environment for Hawaii students to be able to come and feel like they’re at home because it can sometimes be a culture shock for us moving to mainland and meeting a lot of different people,” said senior health science major Jayda Cortez, who is also the co-president of Pua’ikeana. “On our islands back home, everyone knows everyone, so we get to come to our club and have somewhere where we do not have to change the way we speak, and we can talk how we talk at home. It’s nice to have that type of community.”

Cortez, who is from Maui, has been part of the club since her freshman year, taking on the role of fundraising coordinator in her sophomore year and the role of secretary in her junior year. As co-president, she works with the executive board, organizing meetings and events for Hawaiian students and other students interested in Hawaiian culture.

“We want to make sure that our students feel welcome and have a place to go as like our home away from home, and we just want to share our culture with the rest of our Chapman community,” Cortez said.

Junior applied human physiology major Paige Ho, who is from Oahu, is the other co-president of the club. She told The Panther that Pua’ikeana also strives to educate students from outside Hawaii about Hawaiian culture.

“Pua’ikeana (aims) to spread the aloha spirit to the Chapman student population and local community through service and the sharing of Hawaiian culture,” Ho said.

The club, which started in 2002, meets weekly on Monday nights. A typical Pua’ikeana meeting is a time for club members to socialize, learn about Hawaiian culture, play games and take a break from homework. Throughout the year, the club hosts events like the Evening of Aloha, a small lu’au held at the beginning of the semester, an annual lu’au and community service events like beach cleanups and food drives.

Junior strategic and corporate communication major Lauren Kalama, who is of Native Hawaiian descent and from Maui, is the cultural consultant for the club, which entails giving lessons about Hawaiian culture every week to the club. She also plays a big role in planning the club’s major events like the Evening of Aloha and the annual lu’au. 

For senior health science major Anjie Aveno, the lu’au is her favorite event of the year. Aveno hails from Maui and has been a member of the club since her freshman year.

“(The lu’au) lets us share our dances, games and foods with Chapman,” Aveno told The Panther. “Our culture holds a special place in our hearts so we welcome everyone to learn and enjoy it.”

As the school year gets underway, a big focus of Pua’ikeana is supporting the relief for the victims of the wildfires that devastated Lahaina on Aug. 8, which include some of the club members, as well as educating Chapman students on the disaster. Kalama said the best way to support victims is by supporting fundraisers.

“(People can help by) providing (monetary donations) to families that have been affected or organizations that help get the money to them automatically,” Kalama said.

The club is still planning a fundraiser to support the fire victims, but it has provided links to websites of fundraisers like Kākoʻo Maui and Maui Strong Fund from the Hawaii Community Foundation, which both raise funds for the fire victims. The club also has a link to a spreadsheet that helps victims directly receive donations.

Pua’ikeana holds great meaning to Kalama as she described it as a second home.

“(Pua’ikeana is) my home away from home,” Kalama told The Panther. “I don’t say that lightly because I don’t have family up here…so having people that come from the same place as you or have an interest in the same things that you have interest in means a lot. I’ve grown up dancing hula, paddling and canoeing. Being immersed in my culture, being Native Hawaiian (and) coming here and being able to also do what I love academically and be able to also perpetuate my culture, that’s everything to me.”

One thing that Hawaiians like Cortez want tourists to know is that Hawaii is not simply a place to vacation. It is a place where many people live.

“Hawaii is not just a tourist destination,” Cortez said. “A lot of times, I swear I see (people) come to Hawaii, and all they see is a posh (place) and beaches — a very touristy place. Everyone works hard (here). To us, (Hawaii) is our home. We just ask that when tourists come to visit Hawaii to respect our people, respect our land and respect our culture.”

As the cultural consultant for Pua’ikeana, Kalama feels a duty as a Native Hawaiian to educate others about her culture so that her people can flourish.

“Knowing that I can do something for my people and for my community, I hope to make them proud,” Kalama said. “Everything that I do up here is to hopefully one day come home and help my community so that they can thrive as well.”