About Us

Na `Opio O Ka `Aina exists to ease the transition of students from Hawai'i and with the goal of spreading the Aloha spirit. Na `Opio o Ka `Aina (NOOK), which translates to "The Youth of the Land", was started in 1985 by several students from Hawai'i. The original purpose of NOOK was to ease the transition of Hawai'i students to the mainland lifestyle, as well as college life. Since these students are so far away from a culture so different from the one found in Irvine, it is often difficult for them to adjust to life on the mainland. Members share the Aloha spirit and spread customs from Hawai'i to the surrounding UCI community via cultural workshops, performances, and social events. As a club, we aim to create a community that allows students from Hawai'i to feel at home on the mainland while sharing the Aloha spirit and culture from Hawai'i with as many people as possible.