Hui O Hula’s birthday buddies

On Feb. 19, Hui O Hula VIP Leona Hasegawa will celebrate her 97th birthday. She is also the oldest dancer in LW’s Joyful Line Dance Club—and if it were not for the pandemic lockdown, she would be the oldest among LW’s cloggers and tappers, too.

Born just a day and some years later was hula dancer/artist extraordinaire Insook Kim. During the past 12 years, Kim has volunteered most of her time to the club’s demanding hula performance schedule while also giving weekly Asian brushpainting lessons. Before COVID19, there were more than 100 hula performances annually, and Kim showed up happily to every one. While some people grow more stubborn and become grumpier with age, both Kim and Hasegawa get wiser and more optimistic; they continue to touch the lives of everyone around them. Their fellow dancers adore them and are looking forward to making more good memories together.

Join Hasegawa and Kim for free hula classes at Veterans Plaza every Thursday from 1:30 p.m. All are welcome. Traditional hula is usually done barefoot, but dancers should bring comfortable, soft shoes because of the cement floor. Masks and social distancing are required. Call (562) 431-2242 for more information.

—Jojo Weingart