The freshman class of 2016 spent a night under the stars for their banquet at Keʻeaumokupāpāiaheahe Dining Hall on February 9, 2013.

“It was a lovely night,” freshman Danielle Brown said.

This year’s theme, Starry Night, was chosen by the class in October. Lights hung above the dance floor to give the feeling of spending the night under a clear sky full of stars.

“The students had five different options to choose from,” freshman class president Ofa-helotu Koka said. “Starry Night and Carnival were the top two themes, but Starry Night won out because the students felt that it [the Carnival theme] was too childish.”

After checking in at 5:30 p.m., the students indulged in some Hawaiian cuisine, such as lau lau, long rice, lomi salmon, and haupia, as well as local favorites like kalbi ribs and BBQ chicken. They also had Chantilly cake and a chocolate fountain to satisfy their sweet tooth.

“It was hard to find food within our price range at first,” Koka said.

“The food was ʻono,” Brown said.

Much of the class stayed seated for half of the dance, but when the night started coming to a close, freshmen started to tear up the dance floor.

“As the night went on, people started having fun with all their friends,” freshman Zach Kahalekai said.

In addition to the lights, food, and music, the freshmen posed for pictures with props at the photo booth.

“My favorite part was when everyone started to dance at the end,” Kahalekai said. “I’m looking forward to future dances.”