Hula ho’ike party and exhibition is April 18

Hui O Hula’s offers free hula lessons twice a week. Everyone is welcome. Class meets Tuesdays at 1 p.m., upstairs in Clubhouse 6’s Mirror Room; and Thursdays at 1 p.m., at the Medical Center conference room next to the pharmacy.

Dancers are preparing for a ho‘ike—an exhibition performance—celebrating music and hula inspired by the island of O‘ahu, home to Hawai‘i’s capital city, Honolulu.

A centerpiece of the program will be two dances about Waikīkī. Waikīkī, a classic hula, was written by Andy Cummings while he was away from home, touring in Lansing, Michigan. In the song he mentioned how he missed the warmth and rolling surf of Waikīkī. This sentimental number will be performed by the senior dancers; a few have been with the Hui since its inception, 21 years ago.

The other hula, Waikīkī Hula is a faster, joyful, brag-a-little kind of dance that celebrates everything people adore about the area: the ocean, the Tradewinds, and the view toward Diamond Head as well as the nearby Honolulu. This upbeat number is now being practiced by all members of the Hui/group; some dancers will add traditional hula implements as well. Musicians including Fortunato Revilla, Carrie Kumabe, and Diana Pemstein will accompany the dancers for several numbers.

This ho‘ike party will be held Saturday, April 18, from 2-5 p.m. in Clubhouse 4. Everyone is welcome; first come, first served.

Dancers perform at the North Seal Beach Community Center Valentine's Day luncheon. Guests enjoyed lunch and a free hula performance by Leisure World's Hui O Hula dancers.

Jojo Weingart