Hui O Hula

Hui O Hula, the LW Hawaiian dance club, offers free hula lessons twice weekly. Tuesday class meets upstairs in Clubhouse 6 at 1 p.m. Thursday class locations may vary—newcomers can call or text 562-338-1502 for the current location.

Hula is a gentle form of exercise and an excellent way to improve coordination, balance, cognitive function, and overall wellbeing.

As 2026 begins, Hui O Hula extends a heartfelt mahalo/thanks to LW Video Club producer Joe Osuna and his wife, Oralia, of Mutual 15 for their selfless service to the community. On Christmas morning, they quietly arrived at the Hospitality Room coffee gathering and captured both the hula entertainment and the festive crowd on video. Shortly afterward, Joe shared the program on YouTube so residents who could not attend could still enjoy the event. Oralia is always there in support and often is behind the camera as well. Their tireless documenting of community life for neighbors, friends and family is commendable.

January is also a time to celebrate three extraordinary hula dancers with January birthdays: Keiko Kawamoto, born on the very first day of the year; Yo Kishi; and Miyuki Okua. For nearly 20 years, these dedicated dancers have stayed committed to learning and sharing the art of hula. Even on days with aches and arthritis, Kishi continues to attend class, setting a graceful example and generously sharing her knowledge. Kawamoto and Okua not only dance beautifully but they are also kind to their hula ‘ohana. Both volunteer countless hours performing—sometimes more than 100 times a year.

Hula instructor Jojo Weingart considers herself fortunate to have dancers like them in her classroom. Their dedication makes their fellow dancers and Weingart’s hula journey joyful and rewarding.

—Jojo Weingart

Dancers Keiko Kawamoto (l-r), Yoshiko 'Yo san' Kishi and Miyuki Okura during a 2025 birthday celebration.

Jojo Weingart