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Students encourage to explore local culture during summer

Students encouraged others to get outside of Laie and explore the local culture during summer break.

Learning about culture, finding things to do beyond hiking, going to the beach, and getting involved in the community are suggestions from students to have an exciting summer on the island.

Summer break began for students on June 30 and will last until September 3. Offering his advice Eugene Lucerna, a senior majoring in communications from the Philippines, said, “Explore Hawaii. The beach and hiking are very common [to visit].”

He continued, “I feel like people should go and venture beyond that. There’s more to Hawaii than just the beaches. Culture is such a good thing to learn and people shouldn’t leave Hawaii without learning about the culture here.”

Echoing Lucerna’s thoughts and encouraged students to be productive, Jershon Carulla, a freshman majoring in supply chain management from Saipan, said, “Get out of your comfort zone. A lot of people say, ‘Summer was boring.’ You need to put yourself out there and make the most of your time over the break. Try to meet new people and do new things to make summer fun.”

Carulla explained he will be staying during the break due so he can work during and enjoy the Hawaiian summer and things happening around the island.

“I just started picking up surfing,” Carulla said, “and I really like it so I want to spend some time practicing and getting better at it. I also want to be a better surfer over the summer. I also want to spend some time around town [Honolulu].”

Lucerna said he will be staying in Laie during the break due to his IWORK status. “I have to stay and work here, but I’ll try to save up as much as I can. My goal is to save up enough money so that I can go to the Big Island in August. I want to go there and explore the culture over there.”

Ting-Ju Liu, a senior majoring in social work from Taiwan, said she’ll be going home for a few weeks at the start of the break to spend some time with my family, but then spend the rest of her break in Hawaii. Her plan is to work, develop relationships with her peers and in the community.

She said, “I think it’s good to get involved around the community. Look for activities and things to do. There is information on bulletins and on Facebook. I think people who stay should try to get [together with] the community during the break.”

According to the Laie Community Association (LCA) Facebook page, there will be organized events held in the local community known as “Laie Days.” More information about events or future events can be found on their Facebook page.

What’s happening around the community and school during summer?

Laie Days

  • Kupuna luncheon, July 24, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Polynesian Culture Center
  • Summer Bash, July 26, 6-10 p.m. at the Laie Shopping Center

According to Seasider Sports and Activities, there are events throughout summer for students. There will about one activity per week. More information can be found on the Seasider Activities Facebook page.

Seasider activities

  • Trip to Wet n’ Wild Water Park, July 13, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Glow in the dark capture the flag, July 19, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Wheels night, July 27, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Water Park Part 2, August 10, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Summer concert, August 16, 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Pool games, August 23, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Hukilau bash, September 2, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Opening social dance, September 6, 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Writer: Will Krueger