Dancers honor the joy of spring and birthdays

HUI O HULA

Today, April 1, is not only April Fool’s Day, but also hula dancer Pat Fellers’ birthday. Fellers has been with Hui O Hula from the group’s beginning.

The hula dancers and band recently had fun celebrating another birthday, that of Donna Cooper of Mutual 15. On March 20, the performers dressed in colorful mu’umu’u and aloha shirts to honor the occasion as well as the first day of spring.

“My Orchid Lei” was performed to celebrate spring. Composed by Jojo Weingart’s Honolulu neighbor, the late Victor Rittenband, the song begins, “flowers always bring the happiness of spring”; at the end of the song, the dancers presented their colorful lei to the gathered guests.

The group also performed Cooper’s favorite Hawaiian song, “Puamana,” about a lovely home on Maui—“not unlike our homes here in Leisure World,” said Weingart.

Kaye Huff danced the Hawaiian wedding for Cooper’s granddaughter and bride-to-be, Mindy.

Hui O Hula extend “mahalo a nui,” or many thanks, for the invitation to perform on such a beautiful day.

On a less joyful note, Hui O Hula was saddened to hear about the hate mail delivered to the family of the recently deceased Byong Choi, whom the club describes as friendly and charming, adding he often supported them at hula parties and performances by giving cheers.

The multicultural group expresses aloha for all and invites everyone to join them in learning hula on Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. at Veterans Plaza. Masks are required.

Anyone who wants to book a free show should call the event coordinator at (562) 431-2242.