Commence the Cultural Celebration

Ella blu Pakele, Reporter|October 12, 2020

In celebration of diversity and culture on the Sacred Hearts Academy campus, International Day invites students to experience traditions and foods from around the globe. Students “travel” to these places, by way of different cultural booths run entirely by student club members, while getting a pretend passport stamped. The division with the most fully-stamped passports earn spirit points. All photos by Ella blu Pakele.

Seventh grader Ofa Tuafitu tries on a traditional lion costume near the student center. The lion’s head is made using a traditional Chinese paper process called “zhizha,” which includes paper attached to bamboo or steel as a base. It is then decorated with bright colors and accessories, such as fur and tassels.
It’s a mini fiesta at the Spanish Club’s booth. (Left to Right) Seniors Ondina Hiel, Destiny Carter and Brianne Ishihara prepare pork tacos with heaps of beans, cheese, sour cream and guacamole. The club will donate proceeds to Venezuelan crisis relief organizations.
Sophomore Mia McCartney celebrates summer early, by playing “kingyosukui” at the Japanese Language booth. This game, which translates to “goldfish scooping,” is commonly played at summer-time festivals in Japan. Traditionally, rice paper scoopers are used to scoop up goldfish, but nowadays, the fish are replaced with plastic balls.
In a spontaneous dance-off, junior Hunter Faleafine shows off her skills in a traditional Samoan dance called Siva Samoa. Her friends cheer her on in support. The dance requires grace and subtle, but delicate, hand movements. In earlier times, high chiefs performed this dance. Today, however, it is commonly seen at cultural performances and gatherings.
“Takoyaki” is a traditional food in Japan, made of wheat flour-based batter and filled with minced octopus, tempura scraps and pickled ginger. While there are a few places in Hawaii to try these ball-shaped snacks, Anime Club members junior Jessalyn Torres, freshman Vanessa Laub and sophomore Joycelyn Lum prepare a batch to share with students.
Art Club members share Indian tradition through henna painting. Henna has been practiced for more than 5,000 years in Pakistan, India and Africa. Because henna has natural cooling properties, people of the desert have been using henna to cool down their bodies. Today, it is considered a fun activity at parties and events, as temporary body art.