Luau volunteer Tamara Barbu’s and her guest’s lei dried out nicely, following the unexpected downpour, which sent everyone headed for cover indoors. Photo courtesy of Laurie Thornton

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Guests at the annual Luau fundraiser at the Veterans Community Center on Sylvan Road on Aug. 24 experienced a traditional Hawaiian afternoon in more ways than one. 

There is nothing more exciting at a traditional Hawaiian luau fundraiser that has been temporally washed out, shaken up, gently set down in its new venue and ready to go again within 10 minutes. Thanks to the fast work and determination of many volunteers and early guests, a short “gully washer” did not dampen the spirits and enjoyment of the partygoers.

Volunteers had just been putting the finishing touches on the original outside decorations when Mother Nature had other ideas with tropical-like rain and wind hitting the Veterans Center patio.

From the weather to food, dance and resilience, the Hawaiian tradition was evident. This day also reinforced the veteran’s “just do it” approach to life of “pick up, clean up and move forward.”

The main event eventually got under way with emcee Tim Whalen, a veteran who works at “the other” vet center, the Citrus Heights Vet Center at 5650 Sunrise Blvd., which works with veterans experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from their service. 

After welcoming all inside, Whalen thanked all who had spent the many hours creating and then recreating the Hawaiian atmosphere inside.

Honored guests were introduced, including City Council Vice-Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa and her husband, City Councilmember Jane Taff, and City Manager Ash Feeney and his wife.

Center owner Jean Rounsavell was recognized and center manager Laurie Thornton, facility manager Vince Robles and building engineer Perry Montalbano were thanked for their work at the center.

The traditional barbecue buffet was prepared by Chef Emma, a center volunteer, and her daughter, Julia, and included cooked spam, slow-cooked kalua pig, chicken teriyaki, tropical fruits, including star and dragon fruit, a sweet Hawaiian macaroni salad, Hawaiian salad and pineapple meatballs. Dessert was pineapple-upside-down cale and macadamia nut cookies.

Luau chef Emma, right, prepares the feast with, from left, daughter Julia, volunteer Yvette and granddaughter Olivia. Photo courtesy of Elise Spleiss

For three years, the music of Nativ Sun, accompanied by traditional Hawaiian dancing by Ka Pa Hula Kalama O Ha’aheo Dance Troupe, has added to the Hawaiian atmosphere. The atmosphere was also enhanced by emcee Whalen, band leader Marc Asuncion and band members.

Nativ Sun is comprised of family members. A highlight occurred when Asuncion’s son, Christian, also a bandmember, performed a hula dance using his hands and arms to depict a river and the paddling of a man in a canoe.

Whalen also led a live auction and put bidders into the bidding mood with many intriguing and humorous stories of his military time and living in Hawaii.

If misfortune teaches lessons, attendees, performers and volunteers were reminded that veterans are a family no matter the occasion or event.

“It was a beautiful luau, we had to fight the rain, all was soaked but everyone got everything in order in the building. But we have a lot of volunteers,” Rounsavell said about the event’s preparations.

This luau is the main fundraiser for the year and all proceeds go toward providing a free “Safe Room” for all military veterans who visit. The center, run entirely by volunteers, is funded solely by donations and fundraisers.  One-hundred percent of the proceeds supports the mission to serve veterans through various resources, activities and midday meals four times a week.

The center’s “safe space” provides veterans with a place to talk about their war traumas with each other.

Perry Montalbano won the Italian basket with all the fixings for a great Italian meal plus an authentic Italian silk apron. Photo by Elise Spleiss

The center events also preserve the memory and vision of co-owner Jim Rounsavell who, with his wife Jean, founded the center in 2013.

To contact the Veterans Community Center, call 916-806-4852 or email [email protected].

Center hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

For more information about the Citrus Heights Vet Center, call 916-535-0420. There are four satellite locations from Sacramento to Solano and the East Bay.