New dancers welcome on Tuesdays

HUI O HULA

Hui O Hula, which means dance group in Hawaiian, holds classes on Tuesdays upstairs in Clubhouse 6 at 1:15 p.m., and Thursdays at Veteran Plaza starting at 1 p.m. All people, regardless of skill level, are welcome to either or both classes.

People who do not want to hula barefoot may bring a pair of socks or soft booties. Hula with only the hands while sitting in a chair—hula noho—is okay for those with mobility difficulties. People who want to listen to the music and just watch are welcome as well.

Special beginner sessions are given at the beginning of Tuesday’s classes. During the hour, new dancers learn to sway to melodic music by using the mirror or following the leader and senior dancers.

Current class subjects are slow and romantic “Pua Olena/ Turmeric Blossom” and fast-paced and inspiring “Waikaloa,” located on the east of Maui Island.

Dancers are learning the first verse of both songs. In the first verse, Pua Olena describes Turmeric’s dormancy period (between December and April) and its beauty. Waikaloa starts with how welcoming the locals there are to their visitors—the 3 million tourists that come to Maui each year.

Happy July birthdays to dancer Ellie Keck who has just returned from Hilo; and dancer Judy O’Connor who is also a dedicated gardener. Hui O Hula is blessed with kind and caring dancers who happily volunteer their time to learn and share in hula and aloha. Keck is a gracious hostess who gladly shares her knowledge of the islands, where she grew up, and O’Connor enjoys sharing the latest yield from her gardens.

—Jojo Weingart

LW hula dancer Susan Cucci (left, in pink) shows the guests of Chris Braunschweiger how to depict the moon in hula "Hanalei Moon" during a backyard performance in Long Beach.

Lori 'Lolo' Chamberlain