Hawaiian Family Fun Night educates kids and parents

TROUT CREEK - Students and parents experienced a taste of Hawaii on Wednesday night for Family Fun Night at the Trout Creek School that left many laughing, dancing, and chanting, “Aloha!”

The event was sponsored by the school’s 21st Century grant, which is an afterschool program grant that gives the school $52,000 on an annual basis. The Trout Creek after school program hosts a variety of activities and tutoring due to this grant, as well as provides transportation home for the participating students. Family Fun Night is one of the main activities, and it allows for students and parents to get together at school for fun during those sometimes-dreary winter nights.

“We try to do things once a month for the students and their families,” After-school coordinator Gabrielle Ohning said. “We think it’s important.”

Wednesday was the first Hawaiian-themed Family fun Night, and Ohning brought in a special guest to make it all the more authentic. Dralin Arnold, wife of former Sanders County sheriff Gene Arnold, came and danced for and then taught the dances to students. She was assisted by Trout Creek local Rusti Leivestad, and together, the two women taught the students and a few brave parents how to do the Hukilau and Hula dances.

Arnold, who is originally from Oahu, Hawaii, moved to Thompson Falls in 1969. Since then, she has remained close to her Hawaiian heritage, and was more than happy to share some of her cultural traditions with the students for education and fun. Arnold was dressed in a traditional mu-mu dress, and even brought along with her authentic Hawaiian instruments to make music.

Upon teaching the students dance, Arnold explained everything thoroughly.

“The Hukilau is a certain way we get fish in Hawaii,” Arnold explained. “We put out nets and then pull the fish out to eat, the Hukilau is the dance we do at these dinners before we eat the fish. It’s a traditional beach party and dance to celebrate the catch of the day.”

Arnold, Ohning and Leivestad called students up, and helped them into grass skirts. Then, they all did the Hukilau to Hawaiian music. The students were eager to learn, and even more eager to dance.