Hui O Hula

Hui O Hula offers Hawaiian dance lessons twice a week, upstairs at Clubhouse 6 on Tuesdays and outdoors at Veterans Plaza on Thursdays. Both classes start at 1:15 p.m.

Newcomers are welcome to class either to dance or to audit. Wear a mu’umu’ (a long Hawaiian style dress) or comfortable clothing for the gentle swaying movements. Traditional hula should be danced barefoot. Bring a pair of socks or soft booties for practice in case the cement floor is cold and hard.

Each hula is a new subject which tells a different story. Stories/dances are mostly about places, famous people, loved ones or historical events. Dancers learn to describe the story with their hands and expressions. In hula, the more experienced the storyteller, the better the dancing. This week’s hula subject is “Akaka Falls.” This 442-foot waterfall, named after Chief ‘Akaka-o-ka-nī’au-oi’o-i-kawao, is located on the northeastern side of the Big Island of Hawai’i. In class, the dancers show with hand motions as well as facial expressions, as they imagine themselves standing there at the lookout point—the mist from the falls “kissing” their faces and the clifftops from which it plunges.

Dancers were thrilled to have the opportunity again to entertain at the Long Beach Veteran Hospital. Today’s class is cancelled because dancers will meet instead at the Seal Beach Health and Rehabilitation Center on North Gate Road to share their aloha in a hula performance. On Saturday, Aug. 24, dancers will entertain at Long Beach’s Bethany Church. The last time they entertained there was 12 summers ago. Dancers are looking forward to seeing the familiar and friendly faces there once again.

For more class and performance information call 562-431-2242 or email Jojo@huiohula.com.