Hui O Hula invites everyone to hula in 2024

Hui O Hula , the LW Hawaiian dance group, welcomes the New Year with an invitation to everyone to hula.

Hula is good for the mind and body—its movements are gentle for the body, and learning the choreography is good for the mind.

Dance classes meet twice a week, on Tuesday and Thursday, starting at 1 p.m. The Tuesday class is held upstairs in Clubhouse 6, while the Thursday class is at the Veterans Plaza, or inside Clubhouse 3 when it’s cold and windy outdoors.

Beginners—regardless of skill level—are welcome to the first hour of class. Bring a pair of soft booties or socks as the hula is danced barefoot.

In class, dancers enjoy reviewing their old favorites together. Among them is Welina ‘Oahu/Greetings ‘Oahu. This composition is a celebration of ‘Oahu’s favorite flowers which, when made into flowers lei, are adorned by the composer’s favorite people.

A new hula, He Aloha No O Honolulu, has been introduced this month. Composed by Lot Kauwe in the 1920’s, he describes his journey from Honolulu, ‘Oahu to Kona, the Big Island aboard the inter-island steamer, Mauna Loa. The first verse mentions leaving the rainy Honolulu Harbor and passing Lele AKA Lahaina on Maui while star Sirus shines bright from above.

On Jan. 6 dancers performed “Blue Hawai’i” and “I’ll Remember You” in honor and memory of Ric Dizon. Dancers are grateful to have known him. Always pleasant, popular Dizon was also caring. He helped with his sophisticated sound system at Hui’s parties and often graced the crowd with his Elvis-like voice. “Blue Hawaii” was among his favorites.

For more class information, call 562-252-9676 or email jojo@huiohula.com.

— Jojo Weingart

Hui O Hula dancers were glad for the opportunity to entertain LW's early birds with a few hula on New Year's Day. Mahalo nui/many thanks to Video Club producer Joe Osuna who captured the morning's activities. Big kudos to Carl Kennedy (not pictured) who takes care of the morning coffee crowd at the Hospitality Center in Clubhouse 6 every weekday from 9-11 a.m.

Jojo Weingart