At the first sound of music, cheers and cries of “cheehoo,” a celebratory chant originating in Samoa, rang through the stands of Linfield University’s gymnasium. The opening dance of the hōʻike — a Hawaiian word for performance — had begun. The atmosphere inside the gym was humming on Saturday evening as the student dancers from Linfield gracefully danced across the stage with bare feet and bright costumes. The lūʻau has been a cherished tradition at the McMinnville campus for over 50 years, celebrating the connection between the university and its Hawaiian and Pacific Islander student community. 📸: Austyn Steelman Read more and see more photos at the link in our bio. #luau #hawaii #hawaiianculture #dance #theoregonian #linfielduniversity