Housing hosts Hawaiian Luau

By Reed Strength

On Wednesday, April 8, the University's Main Quad was covered by students, Hawaiian decorations and the sound of Top 40's played by a DJ.

It was the afternoon of the 4th annual Housing and Residence Life Luau. The event was organized for the second year in a row by Hall Directors Quincy Hall and Allie Templeton.

Hall said that the event is one of the first that allows students to enjoy the Spring sun after Winter.

The crowd and smoking grill at the 4th annual Housing and
Residence Life Luau.

The event was free and open to all members of the UM community.

The majority of the crowd consisted of students grabbing food, finding friends and lounging on the grassy lawn.






A rock wall at the far end of the Quad provided both a physical activity for students to enjoy as well as a community service project. Participants were asked to donate a canned good for local families in need for the price of a climb.

Elsewhere, a photo booth allowed those attending to dress up in a wide variety of hilarious Hawaiian props.

The caff provided grilled cookout items for dinner. While many workers were busy tending to the grill and various stations, Caff employee Kimberly Hall said she was glad to be outside with the students.

"We love it, we're having so much fun," she said tending to the grill.

A student pours a double shot of syrup on their Khona Ice snow cone.

A popular feature of the Luau was the large Khona Ice truck parked just to the north of the Quad. Students had the choice of adding a rainbow of flavor options to the small ice cups handed out by the truck operator.

Housing bought a large quota of cups to be given out for free, but the icy treat's popularity forced the truck to drive away an hour before the event's end .

As the day wound down Resident Assistants began slowly taking down the decorations. The event's crowd began to steadily disperse, with a few remaining on the quad to soak up the last rays of the setting Spring sun.