Thursday classes held in Optum conference room

HUI O HULA

Hui O Hula continues to offer free Hawaiian dance lessons twice a week. All are welcome. Hula dance is gentle and good for balance and posture. Having fun dancing together is even better for the spirit. Classes meet on Tuesday at 1 p.m. upstairs in Clubhouse 6’s Mirror Room, and Thursdays at 1 p.m. in the Optum Health Care Center conference room next to the pharmacy. Call or text 562 338-1502 for more information.

The current hula subject is “White Sandy Beach of Hawai’i.” It is being taught and reviewed by instructor Jojo Weingart. As dancers practice the hula, they’re learning how to tell the story with their hands by showing the happiness of walking together hand in hand, playing in the sun, soothing the soul and feeling carefree on a white sandy beach.

Inspired by time spent in Waikīkī during his honeymoon in 1993, Vietnamese songwriter Duc Huy composed this song by using the name Willie Dahn/ Dan.

On Valentine’s Day, dancers performed at the Optum Health Care Center. Sharing hula in places like that is among the most meaningful things the hula dancers do. They enjoy bringing their audience a little lift through music, movement, and smiles. While dancing “That’s Amore,” the hula dancers ran into good friend and videographer Michael Oh and his daughter Kathy Jung Suk Oh in the lobby. That afternoon felt even more connected. The word hui can mean a “group” or a “joining together”; that welcoming spirit is exactly what the club hopes to offer especially to newer, younger retirees who are ready for something fun, healthy and meaningful.

—Jojo Weingart

During a spontaneous Valentine's Day performance at the Health Care Center, hula dancers Lori 'Lolo' Chamberlain (l) and Lucia Nakamura greeted cherished friend LW vid - eographer Michael Oh (seated), while his daughter Kathy (laying) attempts to capture the happy moment on camera.

Yen ChweeLin Chiaranasen