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On August 9, 2025, my wife and I stepped into something new, a Luau hosted jointly by the Orem-Lindon Rotary Club and the Utah Valley University Rotaract Club.
Rotarians are ready and happy to host Luau
Approaching the pavilion, we were met with a colorful scene: laughter and conversation mingled in the air as people of all ages, from energetic college students to seasoned retirees, shared in the evening’s anticipation. Though we had never met any of them in person, one familiar name bridged the gap.
Only days earlier, I had exchanged a few quick online messages with UVU Rotaractor President Louyoko Nianza about the time and place of the event. Yet as soon as we arrived, Louyoko greeted me by name. That single, thoughtful gesture erased any trace of nervousness and set the tone for the night, this was a place where people noticed you, welcomed you, and valued your presence.
Dancing and performing with ukulele, hula dancer in the background.
It wasn’t long before we met Clark, a Rotarian from the Orem-Lindon club. His welcome carried the same warmth but came with something more, a reminder that this group exists to serve. Whether you’ve been a member for decades or are a newcomer just lending a hand, you’re equally part of the mission.
As the sun dipped lower, a man named Christmas took the stage to introduce friends who would fill the evening with the spirit of Hawai‘i. The first chords of a guitar and ukulele set a tranquil rhythm, and the voice that followed was rich and resonant, carrying familiar songs from Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole, including the beloved Somewhere Over the Rainbow, What a Wonderful World.
Christmas, Rotarian and Luau organizer makes final touces before the event
Plates filled quickly with kalua pork, teriyaki chicken, pasta salad, rice, fresh fruit, and crisp lettuce. Between bites, a graceful hula dancer swayed to the music, her smile as bright as her dress. The performance was more than entertainment, it was an invitation to slow down, savor the moment, and share it with those around us.
Rotarians and Rotaractors enjoy and contribute to Luau celebration
We chatted easily with new friends, like Roland Kabongo, a UVU Rotaract Member the conversation flowing as naturally as the music in the background.
Hands-on Service
After the last notes faded and the final bites were taken, the crowd shifted to the other side of the pavilion for the evening’s service project. Tables were piled high with hygiene items, menstrual pads, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, razors, hair ties, combs, disinfectant wipes, soap, and more.
Volunteers assembling hygiene kits at long tables.
Working side by side, we assembled care packages for women in local shelters and others in need. The energy was focused and joyful, dozens of hands moving with one purpose until every last item had been packed. By the time supplies ran out, there was a collective sense of satisfaction.
Though the task itself was simple, its meaning ran deep. In those moments, service wasn’t an abstract idea; it was tangible. You could see it in the smiles, feel it in the camaraderie, and know it would ripple outward to touch lives beyond that pavilion.
Volunteers assembling hygiene kits at long tables.
I left with a renewed belief in something powerful: that when we choose to see the best in one another and act on it, we create communities that are hopeful, energized, and at peace. It’s a vision that could heal divisions and soften the world’s hard edges, if only we committed to it daily.
An impotant task to assemble hygiene kits.
That evening, among people who were strangers only hours earlier, I saw what that commitment looks like. It looks like a warm greeting. A shared meal. A small but meaningful act of service. And the simple understanding that together, we can make the world a little brighter.
Kade Van Ry, Utah Valley University Rotaractor, Vice President of the Foreign Affairs Club, Utah Valley University
